Overview
Justice professionals work frequently with legal institutions and this unit will introduce you to legal systems, procedures and principles. You will explore the way that the law operates in its social context and the impact that legal thought and problem solving methods have on the operation of the criminal justice system. Legal process and the methods of lawmaking will be illustrated through application on practice, rights and evidential requirements. Inter-disciplinary differences will be examined in order to support inter-agency cooperation and negotiation of conflicting concepts of justice. This unit also introduces the need for reflection on justice issues, through the use of a professional portfolio as a tool of career management.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Analyse the different Australian legal institutions and their role in the criminal justice system.
- Examine legal principles, concepts and ways of understanding justice issues.
- Apply legal problem solving methods and critical thinking to social problems.
- Reflect on the values and ethos of public service through your evolving understanding of justice as a personal value, a shared ideal and as a social force.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Online Test - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
- Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed
- American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.beattie@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Justice in Place
Chapter
Gilbert, R. (2012). Place-based initiatives and Indigenous Justice. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse. Retrieved Jan 20, 2024, from https://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/mp/files/publications/files/brief013.v1.pdf
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Justice System
Chapter
Warren, M. (2014, 20 August). What is Justice?. 2014 Newman Lecture, Mannix College. Retrieved 20, Jan, 2024, from http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/VicJSchol/2014/12.pdf
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1
Module/Topic
The Law
Chapter
World Justice Project (2024). What is the Rule of Law? Retrieved 20 Jan 2024, from https://worldjusticeproject.org/about-us/overview/what-rule-law
United Nations Human Rights Council. (2012, 19 April). Resolution 19/36 Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law. United Nations. Retrieved 20 January 2024, from https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/RES/19/36
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice as rules
Chapter
Chellew, J. & Kingsford Smith, D. (n.d.). Regulatory Structures. Professional Standards Council. Retrieved 20 Jan 2024, from https://www.psc.gov.au/research-library/regulation-governance/regulatory-structures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice as precedents
Chapter
Hennes, E. P., & Dang, L. (2021). The Devil We Know: Legal Precedent and the Preservation of Injustice. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 8(1), 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732220980757
Events and Submissions/Topic
Option to submit Workbooks-in-progress
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice as story
Chapter
Sangster, K. (2014, December). Story-telling: Justice and Recognition in the Narratives of those who have Suffered. Arena. Retrieved 20 Jan, 2024, from https://arena.org.au/story-telling-justice-and-recognition-in-the-narratives-of-those-who-have-suffered-by-kirsty-sangster/
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 2
Module/Topic
Justice as process
Chapter
Sibley, C., Mak, D. & Hammerschmid, B. (2022, Aug 4). Public Law Essentials 5: Procedural Fairness. Clayton Utz. Retrieved 20 January 2024, from https://www.claytonutz.com/insights/2022/august/public-law-essentials-05-procedural-fairness
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice movements
Chapter
Guina, A., Nugent, C., Moon, K., Shah, S. & Haynes, S. (2021, May). The racial reckoning went global last year. Here's how activists in 8 countries are fighting for justice. Time. Retrieved 20 January, 2024, from https://time.com/6046299/fighting-injustice-world/
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice and the public sector
Chapter
Balmer, N.J., Pleasance, P., McDonald, H.M., Sandefur, R.L. (2023). Public Understanding of Law Survey: Vol 1 Everyday Problems and Legal Need, Victoria Law Foundation, Retrieved 20, Jan 2024, from https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/research-publications/puls-volume-1 , pp 8-31.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Changemaking justice
Chapter
Thomas, L. (2022). Where legal design is heading for us in 2022. Portable. Retrieved 20 January, 2024, from https://portable.com.au/articles/legaldesign_2022
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Job interview simulations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 3
Workbook Due: Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Job interview simulations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books
Word limit: 1500-2000 words total (approx 300 words each)
Students will submit a workbook containing reflective reports on workshop activities. Students are provided with a challenge task to complete in each weekly workshop, detailed in the learning modules. These tasks make up the workbook assessment and there are 10 tasks in total from which you will submit any 6 reports for assessment.
Reports must be written as complete sentences except where tables or bullet points are appropriate. Make sure you respond to the task and keep responses relevant and concise. Each challenge task will include a number of ‘reflective seeds’ that will give you options to frame your report - you may choose one of these or use them to inspire your own approach.
Referencing is to be used, following the APA or AGLC standards. References do not count towards word limits.
Students will be given an option to submit workbooks-in-progress at week 5 to receive early feedback and partial grading that will contribute to the final grade.
Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Friday (7 June 2024)
- Use creative problem solving in response to challenges.
- Report succinctly on challenge task activities and what you have learnt from them.
- Reflect on your learning process and set educational goals for the future.
- Demonstrate how theories and concepts from the coursework integrate into practical and applied situations.
- Participate in small team activities and actively support peer's learning.
No submission method provided.
- Analyse the different Australian legal institutions and their role in the criminal justice system.
- Examine legal principles, concepts and ways of understanding justice issues.
- Apply legal problem solving methods and critical thinking to social problems.
- Reflect on the values and ethos of public service through your evolving understanding of justice as a personal value, a shared ideal and as a social force.
2 Online Test
In this unit there are three online quizzes which will be used to assess your ability to apply your knowledge to problem situations. These quizzes will be multiple choice in format but will require understanding of set readings and coursework AND the application of concepts to analytical and problem solving situations (not just recall of facts).
There are three quizzes spaced throughout the term. Quiz one is purely formative - it does not contribute to your final grade but it provides you feedback on your understanding, provides an example of the style of question used in the other quizzes and provides information to the unit coordinator on learner engagement.
| Quiz # | Week Available | Covers | Percentage |
| 1 | 2 | Week 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 6 | Weeks 1-5 | 15 |
| 3 | 11 | Weeks 6-10 | 15 |
Quizzes will remain open for one week. Check moodle for the precise dates when these become available and close. Students will have to complete this assessment in one session. Multiple attempts will not be available, so think carefully about your responses and answer accurately. You will not be able to go back and change your responses. The session will time out after 60 minutes.
- Knowledge of course content including readings and workshop activities
- Application of theory to practical situations
- Understanding of the context of the justice system
No submission method provided.
- Analyse the different Australian legal institutions and their role in the criminal justice system.
3 Written Assessment
2000 words
You will be presented with a problem-solving scenario involving review of administrative action, a process explored in module 7. This assignment has four components:
1 Framing of the problem within the framework of the justice system including legal, social and economic justice dimensions
2 Strategic response to the problem
3 Preparation of a merits review argument suitable for an administrative tribunal
4 Reflection on the assignment
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024)
- Ability to frame the problem presented by the scenario, within the concepts explored in this unit.
- Formation of appropriate strategy including different options and approaches.
- Presentation of a concise and persuasive written argument.
- Reflection on the assignment and connection to course themes and topics.
No submission method provided.
- Examine legal principles, concepts and ways of understanding justice issues.
- Apply legal problem solving methods and critical thinking to social problems.
- Reflect on the values and ethos of public service through your evolving understanding of justice as a personal value, a shared ideal and as a social force.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
