Criminal Justice Systems

Unit code:ASL1003Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

Footscray Park

Prerequisites

(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

This unit explores the concepts of crime and criminality, recognising that societal understandings of these concepts shape the construction and operation of criminal justice systems. It examines the multiple ways in which ideas about crime and criminality are produced and circulated within society, including representations found in media narratives, case law produced by the courts, statistics produced by government bodies, speeches made by politicians and expert analysis produced by academics. Through this exploration, students will come to understand that the concepts of crime and criminality are not fixed, but complex and contested. The unit also highlights how these varied and nuanced understandings are closely connected to the systems used to address crime. In doing so, it fosters a deeper appreciation of the complexity of the Australian criminal justice systems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Analyse and evaluate conceptions of crime and criminality;
Analyse diverse representations of crime and criminality to interpret the complexity of these concepts.
Investigate relations between representations of crime, criminality and responses to them, and;
Work collaboratively to collate and critically assess research information from diverse sources.
Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity.