Course Title: Legal and Justice Issues for Young People

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Legal and Justice Issues for Young People

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS2141

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017

Course Coordinator: Kerry Montero

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8269

Course Coordinator Email: kerry.montero@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.2.28

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

 In this course, you will encounter key ideas about the law and Australia’s legal system that relate to young people.

 We raise questions like:


• What is the law and how does it have an effect on the lives of young people?
• How do laws connects to other forms of ‘youth’ regulation (rules and policies)?
• Are young people and youth workers always obliged to obey the law?


This establishes a basis for a more applied and thematic exploration of the law, justice and young people.

The course is designed around three themes. The first is young people’s legal and citizenship status which begins with a review young people’s views and experiences of their legal status. (ie., how that shapes relations with police, family, teachers). It also includes an cursory audit of young people’s legal entitlements across state, territory and national jurisdictions. You will consider the moral status of young people and how that connects to legal entitlements and capacity to engage in democratic practices.?

The second theme: young people the labour market includes a critical survey of legal and justice issues pertaining to waged and voluntary work, income/the youth wage and unemployment. The principles of non-discrimination, employee rights and obligations are also examined. You will also be introduced to the legal issues surrounding housing and homelessness amongst young people.
 

The third theme: focuses on welfare and the justice system. Again we begin with accounts of young people’s views and experience, then move into an exploration of public and media perceptions of young people. You are then introduced to key models and practices of justice (ie., incarceration, punishment, rehabilitation, conferencing). Connections between welfare and justice are spelt out, while observing the over- representation of indigenous young people in welfare and justice systems.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to :

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of key ideas about the law and Australia’s legal system that relate to young people and youth workers.
  • Articulate what young people’s legal and citizenship status is, what young people’s views and experiences of that is, and how their status informs relationships with others.
  • Critically analyse the work of ideas of key figures writing in the sociology and politics of health
  • Describe and discuss some of the key legal and justice issues pertaining to young people the labour market, housing, welfare and the justice system.


See Capability Development.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities including using of information and communications technology to research various sources, such as the Internet, printed media, historical, philosophy, social science and law and legal accounts.

Learning activities will also include formal lectures, workshops incorporating group work, active problem based learning, interviews, comparative and textual analysis.

 


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 by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks are directly linked to the stated objectives and graduates capabilities.


Assessment tasks may include researching legal issues, essays and tests.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
 

  • If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
  • A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
  • Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment