Course Title: Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: HWSS5408
Course Title: Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment
School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice
Course Contact : Lynda White
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254512
Course Contact Email:lynda.white@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 60
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
VBQU372 Apply Oral & Written Communication Skills in a Justice Environment
Course Description
This course covers the competency required to communicate and develop skills required for the mediation process and to assist clients in their roles and responsibilities in the mediation process
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBQU373 Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment |
Element: |
1. Analyse the skills required for effective communication in a justice environment |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The process for effective communication is identified and analysed. |
Element: |
2. Identify, interpret and respond to non-verbal communication in a criminal justice environment |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Socio cultural factors which can alter the meaning of non verbal communication are analysed. |
Element: |
3. Analyse the causes, key indicators, stages and approaches to conflict and conflict resolution in a criminal justice environment |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Concepts of conflict are outlined, and the causes and triggers of conflict are examined. |
Element: |
4. Determine the nature of a dispute |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Parties to dispute are interviewed separately to determine their positions in relation to the dispute. |
Element: |
5. Inform clients on the mediation process |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Accurate, timely and relevant information is provided about the mediation processes available. |
Element: |
6. Clarify presented information on the dispute |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 The issues presented prior to the mediation are accurately and concisely analysed to assess the most suitable case management options. |
Element: |
7. Prepare for mediation |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1 Parties to mediation and in dispute are identified. |
Element: |
8. Determine organisational requirements for mediation |
Performance Criteria: |
8.1 Needs in relation to dispute resolution within the organisation are determined. |
Element: |
9. Assist clients to provide their information |
Performance Criteria: |
9.1 Specialist communication skills are used to facilitate client’s provision of information. |
Learning Outcomes
See Elements
Details of Learning Activities
Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, role-plays, seminar presentations, group/individual work on projects, audio-visual presentations, field excursions where applicable, on site visits, and interaction with individuals and groups within the criminal justice area
Teaching Schedule
Week One: Effective Communication in Justice
Week Two: Non-verbal Communication
Week Three: Cross-Cultural Communication
Week Four: Causes of Conflict and Resolving Disputes
Week Five: Interviewing and Record-Keeping
Week Six: The ‘Rules’ of Mediation
Week Seven: Basics of Negotiation
Week Eight: Problems in Mediation
Week Nine: Final rehearsals of role plays
Week Ten: Semester Break-no classes
Week Eleven: Presentations
Week Twelve: Presentations
Week Thirteen: Presentations
Week Fourteen Exam Revision/Report Writing Workshop
Week Fifteen: Exam
Week Sixteen: Overview and Evaluation-to be conducted on the Learning Hub (no class)
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
The major mode of assessment will be by participation in a role play. Students will also be expected to participate in simulated exercises and write a reflective report. In addition there will be an end of semester examination containing questions on essential knowledge related to mediation and communication skills.
Assessment Tasks
1. Participation in group activities
2. Role play
2. Written report
3. Exam
Students will be provided a detailed handout of each of the above assessments that includes the assessment outline, the assessment criteria and the due date by the second week of the semester.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment has been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table 7 which is as follows:
HD 80-100, DI 70-79, CR 60-69, PA 50-59, NN 0-49
All written work must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
2. It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and cogently address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical, ordered and organised manner
3. The concepts must be well defined and demonstrate a critical analysis of the chosen topic
4. Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research
5. In-text references must follow the APA style of referencing. In addition, you must provide a bibliography with correct and comprehensive details in relation to texts, articles, research reports and other sources that you have used
6. Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used
Other Information
Assessment Deadlines
Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. Students can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business of the day the submission is due.
Extensions will not be granted by teachers or Administrative staff.
In accordance with RMIT policy, students may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.
a) Hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This does not include minor illness such as a cold, period pain or hay fever.
b) Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.
c) Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.
Students requiring extensions for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Program Coordinator/ Program Manager. The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. The student will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.
Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Assignments submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or graded.
Students must keep a copy of their paper until the graded essay has been returned or marks have been posted.
Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.
You must acknowledge the use of another person’s work or ideas. If texts or ideas are reproduced they are to be clearly acknowledged in one of the conventional ways, such as by use of quotation marks, indentation for longer passages and clear citation of the source. Failure to separate one’s own contribution from that of another constitutes plagiarism – a form of cheating and may result in outright failure. Random checks will be made on students’ work.
Other Information: All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview