JSB383 Embracing Diversity in Investigative Practice
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: | JSB383 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 96cp of completed study |
| 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 | $5,592 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB383 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96cp of completed study |
| Coordinator: | Christopher Emzin | ca.emzin@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit underscores the importance of cultural competence in investigative practice. It emphasises that investigators, to be effective, must understand and respect the diversity and vulnerability of the people they work with. This allows them to gather evidence more effectively, navigate the unique challenges diverse communities face, and engage more empathetically during investigations. The unit also highlights the importance of establishing strong networks within these communities and understanding their specific needs. This aids in conducting interviews and providing necessary support to victims and impacted communities. The unit also stresses the importance of promoting equality, justice, and strong institutions in investigative practices. It recognises that cultural competence is not a one-time achievement but requires ongoing development. This unit equips you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and ethically within diverse and vulnerable communities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Draw on legislation, policy and procedures to inform investigative approaches, professional philosophy and practice.
- Reflect on contemporary approaches to investigative practice that promote equity and diversity, and how these contribute to professional philosophy and practice.
- Identify and examine contemporary issues in investigative practice from diverse perspectives.
- Apply culturally safe strategies and community protocols to plan ways for working effectively with diverse communities.
- Present interview plans to professional colleagues and respond to feedback.
Content
This unit will cover the following:
- Laws and legislation, policies and procedures for working with diverse and/or vulnerable people
- Investigative ethics and oversight bodies
- Gathering evidence in culturally competent ways
- Challenges faced by diverse communities and vulnerable people in the investigative process
- Establishing networks with key stakeholders within diverse communities
- Researching and identifying the needs of diverse people and communities
- Conducting interviews with victims, survivors, complainants, witnesses, perpetrators, offenders and suspects
- Providing feedback and support to victims of crime and other impacted people and communities
- Ensuring that investigative practices promote equality, justice and strong institutions
- Planning for ongoing cultural competence development
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures (recorded)
- tutorials (on-campus and online)
- online learning materials
- peer and group discussions
This unit will employ problem-solving tasks and case-based learning activities. You will have the opportunity to actively engage with your peers and teachers as part of an online learning community.
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 investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are two assessments:
1. Reflection on best investigative practice - This role play task draws on the concepts of working with diverse communities and vulnerable people in the investigative process to identify best practice, the impacts of poor practice, and to develop a professional philosophy
2. Interview Plan and Role Play - This task brings together knowledge of investigations, interviews and skills for working with diverse communities and vulnerable people to develop and present an interview plan in response to a given scenario.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Professional Philosophy Statement
You will take on the role of an investigative supervisor in a case where best practice was not used. You will be asked to analyse the investigation to determine what went wrong, what policy and procedures may have been breached, and the impacts of these shortcomings. You will then develop a professional philosophy for your investigators to ensure these issues to do reoccur.
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: Interview Plan and Role Play
You will develop a plan for engaging with an interviewee from a diverse community in response to a given scenario. Your plan will include culturally safe strategies and considerations of community protocols to implement in your engagement with this person. Your plan should evidence relevant policies, government reports and academic literature.
Following submission of your plan, you will also participate in an interview at a scheduled time, where you will be asked questions about your interview plan.
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.
The plan in this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
There are no resources that are required to be purchased for this unit. Resources will be available in the unit's Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
During this unit, you will discuss sensitive topics with your peers that may have significant impact and meaning to you, your peers and/or your teaching team. The teaching team will aim to create a supportive and safe environment for all students enrolled in the unit. They will also support you to develop the appropriate skills to engage in these conversations in an appropriate and respectful manner to ensure a positive experience for all students. 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
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Professional Philosophy Statement, Interview Plan and Role Play - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO4, Interview Plan and Role Play - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Interview Plan and Role Play - Reflect on personal values and professional practice to articulate a professional identity.
Relates to: ULO2, Professional Philosophy Statement
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | JSB383 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96cp of completed study |
Overview
This unit underscores the importance of cultural competence in investigative practice. It emphasises that investigators, to be effective, must understand and respect the diversity and vulnerability of the people they work with. This allows them to gather evidence more effectively, navigate the unique challenges diverse communities face, and engage more empathetically during investigations. The unit also highlights the importance of establishing strong networks within these communities and understanding their specific needs. This aids in conducting interviews and providing necessary support to victims and impacted communities. The unit also stresses the importance of promoting equality, justice, and strong institutions in investigative practices. It recognises that cultural competence is not a one-time achievement but requires ongoing development. This unit equips you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and ethically within diverse and vulnerable communities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Draw on legislation, policy and procedures to inform investigative approaches, professional philosophy and practice.
- Reflect on contemporary approaches to investigative practice that promote equity and diversity, and how these contribute to professional philosophy and practice.
- Identify and examine contemporary issues in investigative practice from diverse perspectives.
- Apply culturally safe strategies and community protocols to plan ways for working effectively with diverse communities.
- Present interview plans to professional colleagues and respond to feedback.
Content
This unit will cover the following:
- Laws and legislation, policies and procedures for working with diverse and/or vulnerable people
- Investigative ethics and oversight bodies
- Gathering evidence in culturally competent ways
- Challenges faced by diverse communities and vulnerable people in the investigative process
- Establishing networks with key stakeholders within diverse communities
- Researching and identifying the needs of diverse people and communities
- Conducting interviews with victims, survivors, complainants, witnesses, perpetrators, offenders and suspects
- Providing feedback and support to victims of crime and other impacted people and communities
- Ensuring that investigative practices promote equality, justice and strong institutions
- Planning for ongoing cultural competence development
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures (recorded)
- tutorials (on-campus and online)
- online learning materials
- peer and group discussions
This unit will employ problem-solving tasks and case-based learning activities. You will have the opportunity to actively engage with your peers and teachers as part of an online learning community.
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 investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are two assessments:
1. Reflection on best investigative practice - This role play task draws on the concepts of working with diverse communities and vulnerable people in the investigative process to identify best practice, the impacts of poor practice, and to develop a professional philosophy
2. Interview Plan and Role Play - This task brings together knowledge of investigations, interviews and skills for working with diverse communities and vulnerable people to develop and present an interview plan in response to a given scenario.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Professional Philosophy Statement
You will take on the role of an investigative supervisor in a case where best practice was not used. You will be asked to analyse the investigation to determine what went wrong, what policy and procedures may have been breached, and the impacts of these shortcomings. You will then develop a professional philosophy for your investigators to ensure these issues to do reoccur.
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: Interview Plan and Role Play
You will develop a plan for engaging with an interviewee from a diverse community in response to a given scenario. Your plan will include culturally safe strategies and considerations of community protocols to implement in your engagement with this person. Your plan should evidence relevant policies, government reports and academic literature.
Following submission of your plan, you will also participate in an interview at a scheduled time, where you will be asked questions about your interview plan.
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.
The plan in this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
There are no resources that are required to be purchased for this unit. Resources will be available in the unit's Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
During this unit, you will discuss sensitive topics with your peers that may have significant impact and meaning to you, your peers and/or your teaching team. The teaching team will aim to create a supportive and safe environment for all students enrolled in the unit. They will also support you to develop the appropriate skills to engage in these conversations in an appropriate and respectful manner to ensure a positive experience for all students. 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
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Professional Philosophy Statement, Interview Plan and Role Play - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO4, Interview Plan and Role Play - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Interview Plan and Role Play - Reflect on personal values and professional practice to articulate a professional identity.
Relates to: ULO2, Professional Philosophy Statement