Course Title: Criminology and Justice Studies Field Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Criminology and Justice Studies Field Project

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
HWSS2161	City Campus	Undergraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019
HWSS2161	City Campus	Undergraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Workplace	Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2015, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016
HWSS2185	City Campus	Postgraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018
HWSS2185	City Campus	Postgraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Workplace	Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016

Course Coordinator: Assoc Professor Michele Ruyters

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2537

Course Coordinator Email: michele.ruyters@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 04. Room 10

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

In this course you will design and conduct an industry based research project relevant to the justice sector, which may include placement in a justice organisation for a negotiated period. You will review relevant literature and other resources that are relevant to your project. The workplace focus of the research may necessitate industry consultation. The subject of your project may involve university or workplace seminars and visits by staff.

You may complete your project by:
A.  project or by research within a workplace.
B. Successful applicants may also work on a project or research with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT

Your WIL agreement form must be submitted prior to the commencement of your WIL activity.
 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

HWSS2161 students:  You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes:

• Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on complex theories, principles, philosophies and recent developments in the justice sector, both locally and globally, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice
• Employ a wide range of research tools, methods and approaches to produce new knowledge of justice issues and guide policy development and inform decision making
• Synthesise, rationalise, and communicate new scholarship and research to diverse professional and non-professional audiences
• Use appropriate ethical ideas and reflective practice skills in addressing situations and problems in justice settings demonstrating cultural, social and environmental sensitivity

HWSS2185 students:  You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes:

• Use strategic, critical, creative, and analytical thinking to develop creative solutions to a range of dynamic problems associated with crime management and the justice system
• Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on complex theories, principles, philosophies and recent developments in the justice sector, both locally and globally, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice
• Employ a wide range of research tools, methods and approaches to produce new knowledge of justice issues and guide policy development and inform decision making
• Synthesise, rationalise, and communicate new scholarship and research to diverse professional and non-professional audiences
• Use a range of communication, conflict management, and leadership skills to work productively with a diverse range of people in justice environments, as well as within teams
• Use appropriate ethical ideas and reflective practice skills in addressing situations and problems in justice settings demonstrating cultural, social and environmental sensitivity

On completion of this course you should be able to:

• Demonstrate your ability to research academic resources
• Explain methodology that may be appropriate to your research/project and demonstrate your understanding of any relevant methodology
• Critically assess the quality of any relevant research methodology applied in your research
• Self-appraise your performance using appropriate reflective techniques
• Analyse and critique professional practice in an organisation relevant to the justice sector
• Work productively with people from diverse backgrounds with diverse cultural backgrounds and utilise effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Develop and demonstrate high level verbal and written communication skills.

Overview of Learning Activities

The course may be offered in either fully online and/or face to face modes. Learning activities may also be experienced in the workplace.

Students who complete a placement with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT may engage in project work, research and investigative activities relating to claims of wrongful conviction, case file management under the supervision of the Innocence Initiative staff. Activities may include field activities such as visits to prisons or crime scenes when appropriate.

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided, including books, journal articles and web resources. An introductory overview of key literature, concepts and processes/methods relevant to working with industry will be available. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. You should also examine organisational documents whilst on placement to gain a broader understanding of the organisation and workforce.
Students who complete a placement with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT will be provided with relevant literature and other resources on site.
 

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the learning outcomes of the course and on your development against the program learning outcomes. This includes satisfactory performance in the placement situation, where relevant, as reported by a field tutor and confirmed by the university supervisor
Assessment activities for students who complete a project on or with a relevant justice organisation will include research reports, projects, literature reviews, presentations
Assessment activities for students who engage in a internship with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative will include research reports, projects, literature reviews, presentations, case file management, case file analysis.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.