Unit rationale, description and aim
Criminology is the study of crime and criminals, while public law provides the constitutional and institutional framework for criminal justice system which includes making, reforming, and enforcing laws and policies. Criminology students need to understand this framework to analyse and interpret crime-related data, policies, and practices effectively.
This unit introduces students to the common law and constitutional origins of Australian government institutions, the legal and conventional foundations of Australian Public Law, and the constitutional principles that circumscribe the exercise of public power in Australia. It explores the link between rule of law, criminal justice system and protection of human rights. This unit therefore provides students with a sound basis for understanding the sources of public law in Australia and the structure and players in the criminal justice system. It also equips students with an understanding of public international law, and it impacts in Australia.On completion of this unit, students should have a sound introductory knowledge of the law and the practice of government in Australia and a capacity to communicate this understanding clearly and critically.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Understand and describe the relationship between p...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate an understanding of legal and institut...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically reflects on constitutional provisions o...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
1. Why Public Law for Criminology and Human Rights Students
2. Concepts of Public Law
3. Australian Constitution and Protection of Human Rights
4. Criminal Justice and Rule of Law
5. Separation of Power
6. Law Making and Law Reform
7. Law Enforcement
8. Adjudication and Sentencing
9. Institutional Framework of Detention and Correction
10. Administration of Juvenile Justice
11. Police and Power
12. International legal frameworks of Public International law
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. This unit is assessed by three assignments, outlined below. Assessment tasks in this unit are aimed at measuring and developing student’s achievement of both the learning outcomes and graduate attributes noted above.
Strategies aligned with transition pedagogies will be utilised to facilitate successful completion of the unit assessment tasks. For each assessment, there will be the incorporation of developmentally staged tasks with a focus on a progressive approach to learning. This will be achieved through activities, including regular feedback, particularly early in the unit of study to support their learning; strategies to develop and understand discipline-specific concepts and terminology; in-class practice tasks with integrated feedback; and greater peer-to-peer collaboration.
Overview of assessments
Online quiz: Using multiple choice and/or short ...
Online quiz:
Using multiple choice and/or short answer style questions, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of fundamental concepts relating to public law and Constitution in Australia, including with respect to criminological and human rights issues
20%
Oral Presentation: Requires students to dem...
Oral Presentation:
Requires students to demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language. It also requires students to critically examine institutional frameworks of criminal justice system. They require to research and present their findings to the class. Students will have the opportunities to compare each other’s work.
30%
Research Essay: This task requires students...
Research Essay:
This task requires students to demonstrate their ability to research and critically discuss contemporary and/or emerging issues in public law and human rights.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit will be taught as 12 x 1-hour lectures followed with 3 hour of workshops. Our strategy is to encourage students to actively engage with unit content and their peers; to provide a clear link between lecture content and tutorial practicum to develop skills that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Within an integrated learning framework, lectures will provide core content relating to the topics identified above and begin the process of exploration, which will be followed by detailed explanations and further investigation in tutorials. Through direct interaction between students and teachers, students are encouraged to engage in critical analysis of the foundational knowledge they acquire; to test that knowledge by applying it to factual situations; and to reflect on their learning. Each component is intended to build on knowledge and skills and progressively scaffold student learning.
The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple preparatory and practice opportunities to guide in-class and out-of-class study. Technology assistance in the form of online learning resources, notices, and assessment information (including online submission, marking, and return of results/feedback), is student-focused, affording greater accessibility and flexibility to the learning experience.
Further to this, to ensure students are ready to transition from the Diploma and articulate into the second year of undergraduate study, transition pedagogies will be incorporated into the unit as the key point of differentiation from the standard unit. This focuses on an active and engaging approach to learning and teaching practices, and a scaffolded approach to the delivery of curriculum to enhance student learning in a supportive environment. This will ensure that students develop foundation level discipline-based knowledge, skills and attributes, and simultaneously the academic competencies required of students to succeed in this unit.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.