JSB172 Professional Academic Skills
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB172 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | JSB132, JSB012, JSB104 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,204 |
| International unit fee | $4,572 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB172 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSB132, JSB012, JSB104 |
| Coordinator: | Brenna Mathieson | brenna.mathieson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Professionals in many fields including Justice are required to have outstanding academic literacy and professional skills, particularly the ability to source, understand and analyse written sources and synthesise evidence into professional written formats. This unit gives students a thorough grounding in the core academic and professional literacies required during their studies and into their graduate careers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in academic literacies, including finding and citing appropriate sources of information and correctly applying required referencing conventions (CLO 3.2, 4.1)
- Communicate effectively in written genres for professional audiences (CLO 3.1)
- Performs professional tasks in response to the workplace parameters, direction and guidance including conforming with workplace related templates and restrictions, within a specific professional identity (CLO 5.3)
- Analyse and critique research that informs contemporary criminal justice issues to propose an evidence-based response within a professional context (CLO 4.2, 4.3)
Content
This unit will introduce students to basic research skills they will use in their day-to-day work as professionals working in criminal and social justice professions. It will also make students proficient in a range of skills they will need to complete their degrees. The unit will therefore work through the following broad content areas:
- finding and acknowledging scholarly sources: searching databases and referencing
- writing about sources: academic writing
- strategically reading and assessing sources through critical thinking and analysis
- synthesising sources: the Briefing Note and Workplace Report
- working as a justice professional: managing time, communication, and teamwork.
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered internally and online using a blended approach involving a combination of lectures and tutorials available in face-to-face and online learning modes
One-hour face-to-face lectures will be conducted in weeks 1 to 13. Lectures will involve direct instruction from the unit coordinators and addresses by guest lecturers. These lectures will be recorded using Echo 360. Lectures will include some activities and application of practical skills, but this will be the focus of the tutorials for the unit. Internal students are expected to attend lectures and online students are encouraged to listen to the lecture recording at a later date (recordings are made available within a few hours of the end of the lecture).
Lectures are supplemented by weekly one-hour face-to-face tutorials conducted in weeks 2 to 13 for internal students. Tutorials will be run as workshops where students will engage in practical tasks associated with each of the topics that will work closely with assessment requirements. Online students are encouraged to attend weekly online tutorials through Canvas Collaborate where possible.
Dates and times of lectures and online tutorials are outlined on the JSB172 Canvas site. Lectures and tutorials are supplemented by weekly readings to support the learning of key academic skills.
The unit coordinators communicate with students using Canvas notices. All students are expected to maintain regular contact with the Canvas site for the unit and to check their email daily to ensure they are aware of important information concerning the unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students in this unit are provided with individual feedback on all assessment items via Turnitin. All assessment is summative and contributes to the students' final grade in the unit. General feedback (including comments about what was done well and what required improvement) about each assessment item is also provided to all students under the 'Feedback' section on the Canvas site. If students need further explanation regarding their assessment, we encourage them to seek further feedback directly from their tutors. General formative feedback on progress and skills will also form part of the tutorial activities.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit targets professional research and work practice as a future practitioner working in criminal and social justice. Therefore, assessment is designed to put these research and workplace skills into practice to ensure students' capacity to do this in real world workplaces. It is expected that all assessment will show engagement with current literature in this area. Students need to refer to the Canvas site for the unit for more detailed information about all assessment items for this unit. All assessment in this unit is to be submitted electronically only, as per the guidelines on the unit Canvas site.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
You are required to complete a weekly workbook, based on the first four weeks of teaching content.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, is not permitted in this assessment task. The use of such tools when not authorised may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Assessment: Literature Review
This assessment requires you to conduct research and write a literature review using Generative AI tools on a specific topic and then critique this literature review. The literature review must correctly cite at least ten scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. This assessment task contains two parts. The total word count for this assessment task is 1250 words.
Part A: You are to conduct your own research on the specific topic, taking notes and screen shots of your process. Using QUT endorsed Generative AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, you are required to write a short 750 word literature review on the specific topic using your conducted research as a guide. The literature review must include at least ten (10) scholarly, peer reviewed sources correctly cited to the APA 7 style.
Part B: This part of the task requires you to critique the literature review you wrote for part A of this assessment task. In evaluating your literature review, you are to write a 500 word critique of Generative AI's ability to write a comprehensive, focused, and relevant literature review based on four criteria: knowledge of the topic, structure and language, importance of the review, and critical analysis.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of generating content for this assessment tasks. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Workplace Report
This assessment task contains two parts.
Part A: Continuing from assessment task 2, you will research and write a 1,750 word workplace report in response to the problem outlined in the literature review task. Part of this task requires you to re-work your submitted literature review based on the formative feedback received. The workplace report must conform to the template provided to you and must correctly cite at least ten scholarly sources.
Part B: You will need to record a five (5) minute presentation that outlines the key findings and recommendations from the workplace report. It is a requirement of this task that you are visible on camera. The presentation needs to be recorded in PowerPoint and then uploaded via Media Hub. Please follow the detailed instructions on the Canvas site on how to record and submit your presentation. The presentation needs to be submitted on the same day as your report.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning resources will be made available to students through QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
There is no prescribed text for this unit.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in Justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | JSB172 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSB132, JSB012, JSB104 |
Overview
Professionals in many fields including Justice are required to have outstanding academic literacy and professional skills, particularly the ability to source, understand and analyse written sources and synthesise evidence into professional written formats. This unit gives students a thorough grounding in the core academic and professional literacies required during their studies and into their graduate careers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in academic literacies, including finding and citing appropriate sources of information and correctly applying required referencing conventions (CLO 3.2, 4.1)
- Communicate effectively in written genres for professional audiences (CLO 3.1)
- Performs professional tasks in response to the workplace parameters, direction and guidance including conforming with workplace related templates and restrictions, within a specific professional identity (CLO 5.3)
- Analyse and critique research that informs contemporary criminal justice issues to propose an evidence-based response within a professional context (CLO 4.2, 4.3)
Content
This unit will introduce students to basic research skills they will use in their day-to-day work as professionals working in criminal and social justice professions. It will also make students proficient in a range of skills they will need to complete their degrees. The unit will therefore work through the following broad content areas:
- finding and acknowledging scholarly sources: searching databases and referencing
- writing about sources: academic writing
- strategically reading and assessing sources through critical thinking and analysis
- synthesising sources: the Briefing Note and Workplace Report
- working as a justice professional: managing time, communication, and teamwork.
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered internally and online using a blended approach involving a combination of lectures and tutorials available in face-to-face and online learning modes
One-hour face-to-face lectures will be conducted in weeks 1 to 13. Lectures will involve direct instruction from the unit coordinators and addresses by guest lecturers. These lectures will be recorded using Echo 360. Lectures will include some activities and application of practical skills, but this will be the focus of the tutorials for the unit. Internal students are expected to attend lectures and online students are encouraged to listen to the lecture recording at a later date (recordings are made available within a few hours of the end of the lecture).
Lectures are supplemented by weekly one-hour face-to-face tutorials conducted in weeks 2 to 13 for internal students. Tutorials will be run as workshops where students will engage in practical tasks associated with each of the topics that will work closely with assessment requirements. Online students are encouraged to attend weekly online tutorials through Canvas Collaborate where possible.
Dates and times of lectures and online tutorials are outlined on the JSB172 Canvas site. Lectures and tutorials are supplemented by weekly readings to support the learning of key academic skills.
The unit coordinators communicate with students using Canvas notices. All students are expected to maintain regular contact with the Canvas site for the unit and to check their email daily to ensure they are aware of important information concerning the unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students in this unit are provided with individual feedback on all assessment items via Turnitin. All assessment is summative and contributes to the students' final grade in the unit. General feedback (including comments about what was done well and what required improvement) about each assessment item is also provided to all students under the 'Feedback' section on the Canvas site. If students need further explanation regarding their assessment, we encourage them to seek further feedback directly from their tutors. General formative feedback on progress and skills will also form part of the tutorial activities.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit targets professional research and work practice as a future practitioner working in criminal and social justice. Therefore, assessment is designed to put these research and workplace skills into practice to ensure students' capacity to do this in real world workplaces. It is expected that all assessment will show engagement with current literature in this area. Students need to refer to the Canvas site for the unit for more detailed information about all assessment items for this unit. All assessment in this unit is to be submitted electronically only, as per the guidelines on the unit Canvas site.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
You are required to complete a weekly workbook, based on the first four weeks of teaching content.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, is not permitted in this assessment task. The use of such tools when not authorised may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Assessment: Literature Review
This assessment requires you to conduct research and write a literature review using Generative AI tools on a specific topic and then critique this literature review. The literature review must correctly cite at least ten scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. This assessment task contains two parts. The total word count for this assessment task is 1250 words.
Part A: You are to conduct your own research on the specific topic, taking notes and screen shots of your process. Using QUT endorsed Generative AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, you are required to write a short 750 word literature review on the specific topic using your conducted research as a guide. The literature review must include at least ten (10) scholarly, peer reviewed sources correctly cited to the APA 7 style.
Part B: This part of the task requires you to critique the literature review you wrote for part A of this assessment task. In evaluating your literature review, you are to write a 500 word critique of Generative AI's ability to write a comprehensive, focused, and relevant literature review based on four criteria: knowledge of the topic, structure and language, importance of the review, and critical analysis.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of generating content for this assessment tasks. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Workplace Report
This assessment task contains two parts.
Part A: Continuing from assessment task 2, you will research and write a 1,750 word workplace report in response to the problem outlined in the literature review task. Part of this task requires you to re-work your submitted literature review based on the formative feedback received. The workplace report must conform to the template provided to you and must correctly cite at least ten scholarly sources.
Part B: You will need to record a five (5) minute presentation that outlines the key findings and recommendations from the workplace report. It is a requirement of this task that you are visible on camera. The presentation needs to be recorded in PowerPoint and then uploaded via Media Hub. Please follow the detailed instructions on the Canvas site on how to record and submit your presentation. The presentation needs to be submitted on the same day as your report.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning resources will be made available to students through QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
There is no prescribed text for this unit.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in Justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.