Students

PICT889 – Applied Criminology Practice and Policy

2017 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Rolando Ochoa Hernandez
Contact via email
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
16cp in PICT units at 800 level or above including PICT888
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Criminology offers an invaluable scholarly perspective to analyse the effectiveness of contemporary criminal justice practice and policies. This unit enables students to develop a criminological understanding of the operation of various facets of the criminal justice system, particularly police, courts and corrective services. Students will critically evaluate crime reduction and prevention strategies currently employed both in Australia and overseas, and will formulate practical and effective solutions to real-world contemporary crime problems.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Unit participation 10% Yes week 1-13
Data critique 25% Yes Friday of Week 5
Policy brief 2 25% Yes Friday of Week 10
Essay 40% Yes Friday of Week 13

Unit participation

Due: week 1-13
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are expected to actively participate in seminar discussions (or online forums for external students).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Data critique

Due: Friday of Week 5
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students will use the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's Illicit Drug Data Report to critically analyse the production and uses of data contained in the report. Students will:

Assess the usefulness of the data presented

Interpret the data critically within local drug policy frameworks, such as the National Drug Strategy

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Policy brief 2

Due: Friday of Week 10
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

For this assessment, students will find an example of an Australian , evidence-based Criminal Justice policy and write a brief on it. This should be a professional-grade policy brief aimed at high level CJS decisionmakers. It should include relevant information on the policy as well as an evaluation of its results.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Essay

Due: Friday of Week 13
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Throughout the semester, students will research and follow a CJ topic of their choosing (agreed to in discussion with the unit convenor). They will gather evidence and literature on this topic - putting together a portfolio - and produce an essay. The specific theme of the essay is also of the student's choosing.

 

The topic should be set by Week 4.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to pre-recorded lectures prior to seminar discussions and reading weekly required readings detailed in iLearn.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar sessions and external students are expected to contribute to on-line discussions.
  • Students are required to submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's Library EReserve site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed at the EReserve site.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a PDF or MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convener.  Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task.  Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html#purpose).

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late.
  • For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

 

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits do not include references, bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of he awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately (http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html). This process involves all assignments submitted for that unit being reassessed. However, in exceptional cases students may request that a single piece of work is reassessed.

Unit Schedule

1. Introduction to the course themes

2. Evidence-based policy

3. Research and data in criminology

4. Policing

5. The Courts

6. Corrections

7. Alternatives to the CJS

8. The War on Drugs

9. The War on Terror

10. Policing the Powerful

11. Crime Policy in Australia I

12. Crime Policy in Australia II

13. The Future and Finale

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Assessment tasks

  • Data critique
  • Policy brief 2
  • Essay

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Data critique
  • Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Data critique
  • Policy brief 2
  • Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Assessment tasks

  • Data critique
  • Policy brief 2
  • Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of applied criminological practices and policies
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats
  • Effectively analyse and evaluate national and international criminal justice policy

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Data critique
  • Policy brief 2
  • Essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance

Assessment tasks

  • Data critique
  • Policy brief 2
  • Essay