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ACR102 - Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

Year	2025 unit information
Enrolment modes:	Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)*
Credit point(s):	1
Previously coded as:	ASL111
EFTSL value:	0.125
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.

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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.

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