Students
SOCI1030 – Introduction to Justice and Punishment
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Peter Rogers
Tutor
Kias al Momani
Tutor
Ben Hightower
Ben Spies-Butcher
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit covers the social, moral and political relationships that underpin 'justice' and 'punishment'. Students will explore the purpose, aims and operation of criminal justice in New South Wales. The 'cycle of justice' is unpacked, including: concepts of justice; the politics of justice; what happens in court; how people are punished and what we expect to happen afterwards. Students re-examine the socially constructed nature of both justice and punishment, questioning the purpose of law, the rule of law and the social contract. Students will analyse the role of these concepts in maintaining, or disrupting, established notions of justice. Students will observe justice in action and report back on their findings. |
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:
- ULO1: demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system
- ULO2: distinguish between personal opinion and scientifically verified evidence
- ULO3: use social research skills to identify, analyse and assess the quality of different data sources and types of evidence
- ULO4: express key concepts clearly and accurately in both spoken and written format
- ULO5: conduct independent non-participant observations in the field, then combine theory with both primary and secondary data to write up a formal report
- ULO6: prepare for and engage effectively in online and classroom activities
General Assessment Information
Further instructions for each assessment task are available on the unit's iLearn page.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update to Assessments and Learning Outcomes
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on-campus delivery may be affected. As of July 15th 2021 courts are not open to the public in NSW. IN session 2, 2021, students will conduct research for the Justice Report using secondary data instead of visiting court. Updated FAQs for the Justice Report have been provided in iLearn and the tasks will be workshopped in your active participation activities / discussion groups.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students here.
Students are also reminded:
- All assessment tasks are due by 6pm on the listed due date. Assessment submission links in iLearn also show both the date and time of the deadline.
- The Faculty of Arts Late Submission Policy requires that: "Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline". Please note that this rule applies to the due date of applicable assessment tasks in this unit; the rule does not apply to any subsequent deadline or granted extensions for the purpose of completing supplementary work.
SEE: ‘Late Submissions’ section of the L&T hub assessment page.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Report | 50% | No | 1st November |
| Online Quiz | 15% | No | 1st October |
| Reading Reflection | 25% | No | Part 1. 13th August. Part 2. 4th October |
| Active Participation | 10% | Yes | Weekly, starting week 2 |
Justice Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 1st November
Weighting: 50%
Reports are often used as assessment tasks because well-developed report writing skills are important in many professional contexts. Reports are written based on gathering and analysing information using a discipline-specific methodology and format. If courts are open to the public students will visit court to gather primary data, if courts are closed to the public they will research using secondary data. Updated FAQs will be provided in iLearn
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system
- distinguish between personal opinion and scientifically verified evidence
- use social research skills to identify, analyse and assess the quality of different data sources and types of evidence
- express key concepts clearly and accurately in both spoken and written format
- conduct independent non-participant observations in the field, then combine theory with both primary and secondary data to write up a formal report
- prepare for and engage effectively in online and classroom activities
Online Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2-4 hours
Due: 1st October
Weighting: 15%
The online quiz will test basic knowledge on the course content for the first 6 weeks of the unit. Students will spend 1 hour on the quiz, plus at least 1 hour of preparation (including focused reading and online research).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system
- use social research skills to identify, analyse and assess the quality of different data sources and types of evidence
- express key concepts clearly and accurately in both spoken and written format
Reading Reflection
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Part 1. 13th August. Part 2. 4th October
Weighting: 25%
Students will submit 2 reflections during the session. Reflection is a means to separate opinions from evidence. Students will engage with deep reflection on the topics of readings and explore how they have changed from exposure to new knowledge.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system
- distinguish between personal opinion and scientifically verified evidence
- use social research skills to identify, analyse and assess the quality of different data sources and types of evidence
- express key concepts clearly and accurately in both spoken and written format
- prepare for and engage effectively in online and classroom activities
Active Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weekly, starting week 2
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students must read at least an hour for every scheduled active participation activity. Depending on enrolment method this may include: preparation by reading and note-taking, bringing required participation to tutorials, engaging in online learning activities (e.g. wiki/discussion board) Active participation (15 skill-based tasks over 13 weeks) is used in this unit with a strict marking rubric and a careful alignment of each weekly activity to the skills needed for the unit assessments.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system
- distinguish between personal opinion and scientifically verified evidence
- express key concepts clearly and accurately in both spoken and written format
- prepare for and engage effectively in online and classroom activities
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
All Lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and can be accessed via the unit iLearn page.
Tutorials will be conducted face-to-face and/or online (via Zoom), commence in Week 1 and conclude in Week 13. Students should consult the official Timetable for class times, dates and locations (if face-to-face) and mode of delivery at a specified time at: http://timetables.mq.edu.au
Instructions for online tutorials via Zoom will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
Online content for this unit can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Required Textbooks:
Required readings for this unit are drawn primarily from the following textbooks:
- Palmer, D., De Lint, W. & Dalton, D. (2017) Crime & Justice: A Guide to Criminology, Lawbook: Sydney (5th edition)
- Findlay, M, Odgers, S & Yeo, S. (2014) Australian Criminal Justice, Oxford University Press: Oxford (5th edition)
- White, R & Perrone, S. (2015) Crime, Criminality and Criminal Justice, OUP Australia & New Zealand: Sydney (2nd edition)
Additional required and recommended reading materials will be posted at the unit’s iLearn page.
Computer and Internet access are required in order to successfully complete this unit. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook