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 - 2025
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 style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.hotten@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Justice in place
Chapter
Robyn Gilbert. (n.d.). Place-based initiatives and Indigenous justice. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse. 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
M. Warren. (n.d.). What is justice? Mannix College Oration. http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/VicJSchol/2014/12.pdf
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 1 - Practice Quiz 0%
Module/Topic
The law
Chapter
World Justice Project. (n.d.). What is the rule of law? World Justice Project. https://worldjusticeproject.org/about-us/overview/what-rule-law
UN Human Rights Council. (n.d.). Resolution 19/36 Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law. United Nations. 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. 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
Module/Topic
Break Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice as story
Chapter
Sangster, K. (n.d.). Story-telling: Justice and Recognition in the Narratives of those who have Suffered. Arena. https://arena.org.au/story-telling-justice-and-recognition-in-the-narratives-of-those-who-have-suffered-by-kirsty-sangster/
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice as process
Chapter
Sibley, C., & Hammerschmid, B. (n.d.). Public Law Essentials 5: Procedural Fairness. Clayton Utz. https://www.claytonutz.com/insights/2022/august/public-law-essentials-05-procedural-fairness
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 1 - Quiz 1 15%
Module/Topic
Justice movements
Chapter
Guina, A., & Haynes, S. (n.d.). The racial reckoning went global last year. Here’s how activists in 8 countries are fighting for justice. Time. https://time.com/6046299/fighting-injustice-world/
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Justice and the public sector
Chapter
Balmer, N. J. (n.d.). Public Understanding of Law Survey: Vol 1 Everyday Problems and Legal Need, Victoria Law Foundation, pp8-31. Victoria Law Foundation. https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/research-publications/puls-volume-1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 2 - Problem-solving Task 40%
Problem-solving task Due: Week 9 Wednesday (14 May 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Changemaking justice
Chapter
Thomas, L. (n.d.). Where legal design is heading for us in 2022. Portable. https://portable.com.au/articles/legaldesign_2022
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Job interview simulations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Job interview simulations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 3 - Workbook 30%
Workbook Due: Week 12 Wednesday (4 June 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Test
In this unit there are online quizzes which will be used to assess your ability to apply your knowledge to problem situations. These quizzes will be in multiple choice format but will require understanding of set readings and coursework AND the application of concepts to analytical and problem-solving situations (not just recalling facts).
There are three quizzes spaced throughout the term. Quiz 1 is a practice test (weighted 0%) and does not contribute to your final unit grade. Quiz 1 is purely formative and provides an example of what to expect in the other marked quizzes, and provides information to the unit coordinator on learner engagement.
Quizzes 2 and 3 are assessed items, weighted 15% each (to make a total of 30%).
Quizzes will provide feedback on your responses. They will each remain open for one week. Check Moodle for the precise dates for when the quizzes will open and close. You will need to complete a quiz in one 1 hour sitting (a 60 minute timer will start when you begin a quiz). Multiple attempts will not be available, so think carefully about when you will start the quiz in the available week.
| Quiz # | Week available | Covers | Weighting |
| 1 | 2 | Week 1 | 0% |
| 2 | 7 | Weeks 1-5 | 15% |
| 3 | 11 | Weeks 6-10 | 15% |
Please check the unit Moodle for dates and times of each quiz availability. All times are in Queensland's AEST format.
Results and feedback will be released after each quiz week ends.
- Knowledge of course content, including readings, study guides, and workshop materials
- Application of theory to practical situations
- Understanding of the context of the justice system
- Analyse the different Australian legal institutions and their role in the criminal justice system.
2 Written Assessment
Word count: 2000 words (+/- 10%)
You will be presented with a problem-solving scenario involving the review of an administrative action (explored in module 7).
This assignment has four (4) components:
- Framing of the problem within the framework of the justice system including legal, social, and economic justice dimensions
- Strategic response to the problem
- Preparation of a merits review argument suitable for an administrative tribunal
- Reflection on the assignment
Week 9 Wednesday (14 May 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
AEST (Queensland time)
Week 11 Wednesday (28 May 2025)
Formative feedback will be provided.
- Ability to frame a problem presented by the scenario, within the concepts explored in the unit
- Formation of an 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
- 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.
3 Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books
Word count: 1800 words (+/- 10%)
You will submit a workbook containing reflective reports on learning activities. You are provided with a challenge task to complete each week for the workshop. The challenges are found in the weekly study guides. The challenge tasks make up the workbook assessment. There are ten (10) challenge tasks from which you will choose six (6) to submit for your workbook.
Workbooks must be written in complete sentences except where a table 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 responses or you can use your own inspiration from the topics.
Referencing and citing is to be used. Referencing and citing format is APA 7 referencing. Your reference list (and title page) is not included in your word count, though citing is counted.
Week 12 Wednesday (4 June 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
AEST (Queensland time)
Formative feedback will be provided. Unit results (including assessment 3) released on the Certification of Grades date.
- 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 peers' learning
- 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.
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?
