ACR102 - Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | ASL111 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Chris Linke |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASL111 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Note:*Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus) | |
Content
This unit provides an introduction to the structures and procedures of the criminal justice system from a critical perspective. The unit outlines the major characteristics of the investigation, prosecution, adjudication and correctional processes within the criminal justice system, and the key issues which impinge on contemporary criminal justice administration in Australia. The conduct of police investigations, prosecutorial decision-making and the executive administration of the prison system are explored. The unit adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the study of criminal justice institutions and practices, and critically assesses the effectiveness of the system using contemporary criminological/socio-legal evidence.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Identify the roles and functions of major institutions of criminal justice in Australia and describe key issues that impede the achievability of justice for specific individuals, groups, and vulnerable communities at various stages of the criminal justice process | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO2 | Reflect on your current knowledge and skill set, in comparison with those skills required in traditional and non-traditional career pathways associated with the criminal justice system, and design an 'Experience Map' that targets areas for personal development relevant to your course | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO3 | Define, analyse and apply a range of basic concepts, theories and processes to identify and compare different philosophies of justice, including retributivist, restorative, utilitarian, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander philosophies of justice | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO4 | Conduct academic research and examine contemporary studies to analyse issues impacting the effectiveness of criminal justice administration in Australia and communicate findings in written and/or oral form | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Presentation | 400 words or equivalent | 10% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2: Report | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3: Research and Writing Exercise | 1200 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 4: Essay | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ACR102 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.