JSB173 Understanding the Criminal Justice System
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: | JSB173 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| 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 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB173 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Laura Vitis | laura.vitis@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Justice professionals require a thorough foundational understanding of how Australia’s systems of justice operate structurally and how people progress through those systems. This unit provides a critical overview of the Australian Criminal Justice System through examinations of the key arms of policing, courts and corrections and their processes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the roles, aims and principal components of the criminal justice system in Australia (CLO1.3)
- Analyse the impact of the Criminal Justice System on marginalised communities and groups, demonstrating a social justice orientation (CLO2.3, 2.4, 4.2)
- Critically reflect on issues within criminal justice policy and practice to reveal context and implications. (CLOs 2.2, 5.1, 5.2)
- Communicate effectively for professional and academic purposes within a justice context, drawing on appropriate evidence and sources. (CLO 3.1, 3.2, 4.1).
Content
- Introduction to the aims of the criminal justice system
- The roles of the police in the criminal justice system
- The roles of courts in the criminal justice system
- Therapeutic jurisprudence and problem-solving courts
- Restorative justice in the criminal justice system
- Diversion
- Sentencing
- Punishment
- Bail and remand
- Victims and the CJS
- Parole
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered in both internal and online mode and utilises a blended learning approach, featuring a range of online and other learning experiences. The blended approach effects integration of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning, and draws on modes of web-based technology, self-paced instruction, collaborative learning, streaming audio, video and, text-based resources.
Internal mode delivery involves pre-recorded and /or live lectures, online discussion and in-person tutorials. Online mode delivery involves pre-recorded lectures and online tutorials. In both online and internal mode, you will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning under the guidance of the teaching team. Student learning is supported with online materials that combine prescribed readings, questions and interactive quizzes to provide feedback on the understanding of the criminal justice system.
You are advised to make extensive use of the QUT Canvas unit site, which is available through the QUT home page under Quicklinks. Most specifically, PowerPoint slides, lecture recordings and podcasts, unit information document and readings will be available for download.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
- informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- formal: in writing, e.g. criteria sheets, written commentary
- direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- indirect: to the whole class.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment includes formative and summative assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report Presentation
In this task, students will assume the role of a researcher who has been asked by a national research organisation to present a report examining the current issues within key institutions/processes of the contemporary Australian Criminal Justice System. Students will need to prepare a presentation of their report in order to receive feedback. This draft will take the form of a video recorded PowerPoint presentation.
48 hour extension: This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Exam
The exam will have three components: a multiple choice, short-answer and case study component. In the exam students will be assessed on their understanding and application of unit material encountered during the semester.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Engagement
Students will be assessed on their engagement during their weekly tutorials. Evidence of preparation, participation in small and large group discussions and tutorial tasks and critical thinking will be used in this assessment.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
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
Additional readings will be made available via QUT Readings or the internet.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Dalton, D., De Lint, W., & Palmer, D. (2021). Crime and justice : a guide to criminology (Sixth edition.). Lawbook Co. This is an ebook available through the library. Copies of the textbook will also available in the QUT Bookshop.
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 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | JSB173 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
Justice professionals require a thorough foundational understanding of how Australia’s systems of justice operate structurally and how people progress through those systems. This unit provides a critical overview of the Australian Criminal Justice System through examinations of the key arms of policing, courts and corrections and their processes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the roles, aims and principal components of the criminal justice system in Australia (CLO1.3)
- Analyse the impact of the Criminal Justice System on marginalised communities and groups, demonstrating a social justice orientation (CLO2.3, 2.4, 4.2)
- Critically reflect on issues within criminal justice policy and practice to reveal context and implications. (CLOs 2.2, 5.1, 5.2)
- Communicate effectively for professional and academic purposes within a justice context, drawing on appropriate evidence and sources. (CLO 3.1, 3.2, 4.1).
Content
- Introduction to the aims of the criminal justice system
- The roles of the police in the criminal justice system
- The roles of courts in the criminal justice system
- Therapeutic jurisprudence and problem-solving courts
- Restorative justice in the criminal justice system
- Diversion
- Sentencing
- Punishment
- Bail and remand
- Victims and the CJS
- Parole
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered in both internal and online mode and utilises a blended learning approach, featuring a range of online and other learning experiences. The blended approach effects integration of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning, and draws on modes of web-based technology, self-paced instruction, collaborative learning, streaming audio, video and, text-based resources.
Internal mode delivery involves pre-recorded and /or live lectures, online discussion and in-person tutorials. Online mode delivery involves pre-recorded lectures and online tutorials. In both online and internal mode, you will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning under the guidance of the teaching team. Student learning is supported with online materials that combine prescribed readings, questions and interactive quizzes to provide feedback on the understanding of the criminal justice system.
You are advised to make extensive use of the QUT Canvas unit site, which is available through the QUT home page under Quicklinks. Most specifically, PowerPoint slides, lecture recordings and podcasts, unit information document and readings will be available for download.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
- informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- formal: in writing, e.g. criteria sheets, written commentary
- direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- indirect: to the whole class.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment includes formative and summative assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report Presentation
In this task, students will assume the role of a researcher who has been asked by a national research organisation to present a report examining the current issues within key institutions/processes of the contemporary Australian Criminal Justice System. Students will need to prepare a presentation of their report in order to receive feedback. This draft will take the form of a video recorded PowerPoint presentation.
48 hour extension: This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Exam
The exam will have three components: a multiple choice, short-answer and case study component. In the exam students will be assessed on their understanding and application of unit material encountered during the semester.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Engagement
Students will be assessed on their engagement during their weekly tutorials. Evidence of preparation, participation in small and large group discussions and tutorial tasks and critical thinking will be used in this assessment.
GenAI Statement: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
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
Additional readings will be made available via QUT Readings or the internet.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Dalton, D., De Lint, W., & Palmer, D. (2021). Crime and justice : a guide to criminology (Sixth edition.). Lawbook Co. This is an ebook available through the library. Copies of the textbook will also available in the QUT Bookshop.
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.