CQUniversity Unit Profile.

In this assessment, you will compile an annotated bibliography of eight (8) scholarly sources that examine the historical development of policing in Australia and its enduring impacts, particularly in relation to colonial and post‑colonial contexts.

You will then write a 500‑word thematic reflection that synthesises the key debates, tensions, and insights emerging from your research.

Part A: Annotated Bibliography (8 sources × 150 words each)

Select eight (8) scholarly sources, such as:

• • Peer‑reviewed journal articles
  • Academic book chapters
  • Scholarly books
  • Government inquiries or commissions with academic relevance

Write an annotation for each source.

• Each annotation must be approximately 150 words.
• Present your annotations in alphabetical order by author surname.
• Use a consistent referencing style – APA 7.

Each annotation must include the following:

1. Summary of the Source

• Identify the author’s main argument or purpose.
• Outline the key themes, findings, or historical insights.
• Describe the policing issue addressed.

2. Evaluation of the Source

• Comment on the source’s credibility, methodology, or scholarly value.
• Explain how it contributes to academic debates about policing.
• Identify any limitations, biases, or gaps.

3. Reflection on Relevance to Colonial/Post‑Colonial Policing

• Explain how the source enhances your understanding of:
• Colonial foundations of policing in Australia
• Enduring impacts on contemporary policing
• Issues such as race, power, control, and state authority.

Part B: Thematic Reflection (500 words)

Write a 500‑word thematic reflection that synthesises the insights gained from your annotated bibliography.

Your reflection should:

1. Key Themes or Debates – What did you learn from the literature you found overall? What were the different views/debates/interpretations that you discovered?

3. Explain How the Sources Shaped Your Understanding – How has your perspective on policing history developed since engaging with these sources? What thoughts do you have about policing after reading these sources?

Formatting

• 500 words (±10%)
• Written in paragraphs (not dot points)
• Academic tone with appropriate referencing where needed. Avoid using “I” and slang/casual/conversational language and tone.

Submission Requirements

Submit one document containing both the annotated bibliography and the reflection in Word. Upload to the Moodle drop box.

Extensions

Request for extension must be submitted to the unit coordinator prior to the due date.

The automatic 72-hour grace period applies to this task, meaning you can submit the task within 72 hours of the due time without any penalty.

Submitting your assignment after the grace period without an extension in place will result in late penalties based on the original due date. Late penalties are 5% of the value of the task, per calendar day.

     NOTE ON AI USE

Level 2:  You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.

 Quality of sources /2

Critical summary of sources /8

Colonial/postcolonial relevance /4

Thematic reflection quality /6

[A detailed marking rubric is available on Moodle, as well as an example annotation]. 

Students select a contemporary policing issue in Australia and present an 1800-word critical essay outlining the nature of the issue, supported by a real-world example. Students must provide an evidence-based analysis of the extent of the issue, why it occurs and how it can be prevented/remedied. At least 10 scholarly references are to be incorporated.  

STEP ONE: SELECT AN ISSUE

During the term, several issue/problems/dilemmas regarding policing will be discussed. In this assessment, you have the opportunity to select an issue that interests you.

Examples will be discussed in the workshops. Please check your chosen issue with the Unit Coordinator to ensure it is relevant and fit for the purposes of this assessment. 

STEP TWO: RESEARCH THE ISSUE

Conduct research into the issue using scholarly databased, including the CQUniversity library database, Google Scholar etc. Choosing the right search terms to return academic journal articles/book chapters is a skill, and we will practice this in the workshops (which will be recorded). The Academic Learning Centre will also provide advice on this during the term. 

You need to use at least 10 scholarly sources within your essay, but when searching try to read much wider. Read as many sources as you can to get a good grasp on your topic. 

Remember, the information should be from within Australia and your sources should have been published recently (e.g. within the past 10 years). 

Take clear notes - Organise what you read into key themes and findings so you can easily write up your essay. 

STEP THREE: WRITE UP YOUR ESSAY

Pull together what you have read into a critical research essay of 1800 words (+/- 10%). 

Your essay should start by introducing the issue - what is it? what does it involve? where has it happened?. This is where you must use a real-world example to show the reader what the issue looks like in reality. 

Then, draw on the evidence you have found through your research to explain the 'extent' of the issue (include any statistics on it's prevalence, how many people are impacted etc.).

Next, explain 'why' it occurs based on what you have read in your research. 

Finally, outline how it could be 'prevented/mitigated' based on what the research says (not your personal opinion). 

Think of these as the sections or parts of your essay, each supported by the different sources you were able to find in your search of the literature. 

Do not forget to include a reference list, in APA 7 format, showing the full details of each of the scholarly sources that you included in your essay. 

NOTE ON AI USE

Level 2:  You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.

- Relevance and appropriateness of chosen issue /4

- Understanding and communication of the nature and extent of the issue /8

- Understanding and communication of the reasons why the issue occurs /8

- Understanding of evidence-based prevention/mitigation strategies /8

- Strength of evidence base - Relevance and recency of sources; Integration of evidence /6

- Overall quality of essay - Presentation, APA referencing format, structure, proof reading  /6

Students analyse a hypothetical investigation, delivering their assessment in a 1800-word evaluation report. Students must evaluate the investigative strategies used, assessing their effectiveness and appropriateness. Students should identify any ethical and legal considerations, especially regarding civil liberties and procedural fairness. Recommendations for improvement are made at the end of the report. At least 10 scholarly references are to be incorporated (can be a mix of academic and 'grey' literature). 

STEP 1: CHOOSE A HYPOTHETICAL TO EVALUATE 

Three hypothetical investigation options will be available on Moodle. Choose the one that you feel most comfortable identifying the issues in - this will make it much easier to write-up your evaluation.

Be sure to just choose ONE of the options (do not evaluate all three). 

STEP 2: EVALUATE THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTIGATION

Using the information provided to you in the latter weeks of the term regarding the methods and processes involved in investigations, appraise the hypothetical example for its strengths and limitations. This includes evaluating whether the processes and methods adopted in the hypothetical investigation were appropriate, or are there other ways of approaching the investigation that would have been better, based on what you have learned this term? 

If you can see any ethical or legal issues within the investigation, identify these, and explain to the reader what they are and how/why they are problematic. 

Lastly, make some recommendations as to how the investigation could be improved, if this issue were to occur again. Aim for 3 clear recommendations. Tips on how to write up recommendations will be provided in the workshops (which will be recorded). 

Be sure to back up your claims with sources. These can be scholarly (e.g. journal articles/book chapters) and may also include 'grey' literature (government reports, non-scholarly agency reports etc.). Cite in-text and provide a full reference list at the end in APA 7 format. 

NOTE ON AI USE

Level 2:  You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.

- Identification and communication of strengths and limitations within the chosen hypothetical investigation /10

- Ability to identify and communicate the ethical and legal issues and their impact /9

- Relevance and clarity of recommnedations for improvement /8

- Integration of evidence to support claims /6

- Overall quality of report - presentation, proof reading, APA formatting etc. /7