JSB172 Professional Communication in Justice: Strategies for Success
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 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 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 | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB172 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Brenna Mathieson | brenna.mathieson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit equips justice professionals with essential strategies for clear, accurate communication in reporting, seeking help, raising awareness and implementing change within the justice sector. Unclear communication in the justice sector can have significant impacts on people such as wrongful convictions, retraumatisation and ineffective policy. The unit covers academic writing, finding and acknowledging scholarly sources, synthesising literature, facilitating discussions, and delivering professional verbal presentations to engage audiences. It addresses the strategic use of GenAI in communication to ensure you can maintain the integrity of your work. Mastering these skills ensures justice professionals can navigate complex scenarios, and contribute to informed decisions, highlighting the critical role of clear, accurate and professional communication in achieving justice outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Locate and critique research that informs contemporary justice issues to produce evidence-based responses within a professional context.
- Communicate with diverse communities and audiences using culturally safe and inclusive approaches.
- Clearly and accurately communicate in justice contexts applying professional written and verbal communication techniques.
- Facilitate discussions in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
- Critique communication produced by Generative AI and assess its impact on social and justice sectors.
Content
The unit will cover the following:
- justice professional ethics and professionalism
- the role of communication in accurately reporting, seeking help, raising awareness and implementing change in the justice sector
- the consequences of unclear and/or inaccurate communication in justice professional work
- engaging with different audiences and stakeholders
- culturally safe and inclusive approaches to working with diverse communities and people
- facilitating discussions with stakeholders and teams
- delivering professional verbal presentations and engaging the audience in justice settings
- designing professional slides for justice contexts
- finding and acknowledging scholarly sources: searching databases and referencing
- writing about and using sources: academic writing
- strategically reading and assessing sources through critical thinking and analysis
- professional ways to use GenAI in communication
- critiquing GenAI outputs
- ethics and implications of using GenAI
- synthesising sources
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - live and pre-recorded
- tutorials - face-to-face or online
- online discussion forum
- readings, media and video resources
- embedded support for academic writing, research and referencing skills
The unit adopts an interactive and experiential learning approach in which you are encouraged to participate and collaborate in demonstration of written and verbal communication techniques.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you practise and demonstrate communication techniques throughout the unit
- self reflection on learning experiences
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas site.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are two assessments:
1. Workbook - You will complete a workbook of activities (real-world exercises) based on the topics in this unit, demonstrating both written and verbal communication skills.
2. Literature Review - In this task, you will research and write a literature review on a specific topic, and then provide a critical evaluation of a review produced by Generative AI.
3. Interview - Based on the formative feedback received on the literature review, you will be required to present on this and take part in an interview further exploring your work and learning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
You will complete a workbook of activities based on the topics in this unit. It will include exercises in the role of clear and accurate communication in the justice profession, written communication techniques, and engaging with technologies.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Literature Review
You will research and write a literature review on a specific topic. Following this, you will use QUT-endorsed generative Ai tools to produce a separate literature review and then provide a critical evaluation of that review. The assessment requires engagement with scholarly, peer-reviewed sources.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of generating content for this assessment task. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Professional Interview
You will take part in an interview based on your written literature review from the previous assessment. During the interview, you will provide an overview of your literature review and respond to questions that allow you to reflect on and discuss how you responded to feedback.
These interviews will be held in the tutorial held timeslots for week thirteen, with additional rooms and time slots booked for that week. Online students, you can opt for an interview on-campus, in the additional time-slots or an online interview using Zoom.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is not permitted during this presentation with live question and answer time as you must demonstrate your own knowledge of the topic and oral communication skills. However, you may use GenAI to prepare for the presentation. AI-generated content may be inaccurate, unreliable, or biased. It is your responsibility to critically evaluate any information you use. You may be asked to demonstrate authorship of your assessment. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content.Find out more on keeping good records to authenticate authorship. The Academic Integrity Policy describes penalties related to the unauthorised use of GenAI.
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.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Literature Review - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO2, Workbook, Literature Review - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO3, Workbook, Literature Review - Facilitate discussions and collaborate with stakeholders in the justice sector.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook - Assess technologies and their impacts on social and justice sectors.
Relates to: ULO5, Literature Review
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | JSB172 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit equips justice professionals with essential strategies for clear, accurate communication in reporting, seeking help, raising awareness and implementing change within the justice sector. Unclear communication in the justice sector can have significant impacts on people such as wrongful convictions, retraumatisation and ineffective policy. The unit covers academic writing, finding and acknowledging scholarly sources, synthesising literature, facilitating discussions, and delivering professional verbal presentations to engage audiences. It addresses the strategic use of GenAI in communication to ensure you can maintain the integrity of your work. Mastering these skills ensures justice professionals can navigate complex scenarios, and contribute to informed decisions, highlighting the critical role of clear, accurate and professional communication in achieving justice outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Locate and critique research that informs contemporary justice issues to produce evidence-based responses within a professional context.
- Communicate with diverse communities and audiences using culturally safe and inclusive approaches.
- Clearly and accurately communicate in justice contexts applying professional written and verbal communication techniques.
- Facilitate discussions in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
- Critique communication produced by Generative AI and assess its impact on social and justice sectors.
Content
The unit will cover the following:
- justice professional ethics and professionalism
- the role of communication in accurately reporting, seeking help, raising awareness and implementing change in the justice sector
- the consequences of unclear and/or inaccurate communication in justice professional work
- engaging with different audiences and stakeholders
- culturally safe and inclusive approaches to working with diverse communities and people
- facilitating discussions with stakeholders and teams
- delivering professional verbal presentations and engaging the audience in justice settings
- designing professional slides for justice contexts
- finding and acknowledging scholarly sources: searching databases and referencing
- writing about and using sources: academic writing
- strategically reading and assessing sources through critical thinking and analysis
- professional ways to use GenAI in communication
- critiquing GenAI outputs
- ethics and implications of using GenAI
- synthesising sources
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - live and pre-recorded
- tutorials - face-to-face or online
- online discussion forum
- readings, media and video resources
- embedded support for academic writing, research and referencing skills
The unit adopts an interactive and experiential learning approach in which you are encouraged to participate and collaborate in demonstration of written and verbal communication techniques.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you practise and demonstrate communication techniques throughout the unit
- self reflection on learning experiences
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas site.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are two assessments:
1. Workbook - You will complete a workbook of activities (real-world exercises) based on the topics in this unit, demonstrating both written and verbal communication skills.
2. Literature Review - In this task, you will research and write a literature review on a specific topic, and then provide a critical evaluation of a review produced by Generative AI.
3. Interview - Based on the formative feedback received on the literature review, you will be required to present on this and take part in an interview further exploring your work and learning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
You will complete a workbook of activities based on the topics in this unit. It will include exercises in the role of clear and accurate communication in the justice profession, written communication techniques, and engaging with technologies.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Literature Review
You will research and write a literature review on a specific topic. Following this, you will use QUT-endorsed generative Ai tools to produce a separate literature review and then provide a critical evaluation of that review. The assessment requires engagement with scholarly, peer-reviewed sources.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of generating content for this assessment task. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Professional Interview
You will take part in an interview based on your written literature review from the previous assessment. During the interview, you will provide an overview of your literature review and respond to questions that allow you to reflect on and discuss how you responded to feedback.
These interviews will be held in the tutorial held timeslots for week thirteen, with additional rooms and time slots booked for that week. Online students, you can opt for an interview on-campus, in the additional time-slots or an online interview using Zoom.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is not permitted during this presentation with live question and answer time as you must demonstrate your own knowledge of the topic and oral communication skills. However, you may use GenAI to prepare for the presentation. AI-generated content may be inaccurate, unreliable, or biased. It is your responsibility to critically evaluate any information you use. You may be asked to demonstrate authorship of your assessment. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content.Find out more on keeping good records to authenticate authorship. The Academic Integrity Policy describes penalties related to the unauthorised use of GenAI.
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.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Literature Review - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO2, Workbook, Literature Review - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO3, Workbook, Literature Review - Facilitate discussions and collaborate with stakeholders in the justice sector.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook - Assess technologies and their impacts on social and justice sectors.
Relates to: ULO5, Literature Review