Students

PICT2020 – Policing and Crime

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Vincent Hurley
vincent.hurley@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to police and policing and their role and purpose in contemporary society. Policing is and always has been a complex and contentious aspect of society be it in crime prevention and or social control. This unit provides students with the theoretical tools required to make sense of the different forms of policing and the concepts that underpin them. The unit will critically explore the history of the police and policing, how officers are trained, corruption, the use of force, police culture through to policing transnational organised crime. Through analysis of historical and current policing issues, students will learn to assess the relevance and cause and effects of crime and how it is policed.

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: Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • ULO2: Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • ULO3: Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • ULO4: Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

General Assessment Information

Late penalty statement: 

Late Assessment Submission Penalty Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Police Use of Force 10% No 11.55pm Sunday 21st August
Essay Plan 20% No 11.55pm Sunday 11th September
Quiz Weeks 2 - 7 20% No From 10am Sunday 2nd Oct - 10pm Sunday 9th October
Final Essay 40% No 11.55pm Sunday 16th October
Quiz Weeks 8 - 11 10% No From 10am Sunday 23rd October - 10pm Sunday 30th October

Police Use of Force

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 11.55pm Sunday 21st August
Weighting: 10%

 

Students will be asked to reflect on Police Use of Force example. The students will be encouraged to think about their personal reaction to a legal issue. To critically reflect on their views of the example pre and post Master Class lecture where the theories of Police Use of Force are explored

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

Essay Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: 11.55pm Sunday 11th September
Weighting: 20%

 

Essay Plan sets the platform for students final assignment. The Essay Plan will cover individual topics/issues that students will be critically exploring in their final essay. They are required to research, assess and determine what are the 5 best scholarly publications they will be using to frame and argue their case.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

Quiz Weeks 2 - 7

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: From 10am Sunday 2nd Oct - 10pm Sunday 9th October
Weighting: 20%

 

The quiz will test the students knowledge of readings and master class presentation from week 2 - 7, inclusive

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

Final Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 11.55pm Sunday 16th October
Weighting: 40%

 

The student’s final essay examines the facets of contemporary policing practices. It requires scholarly consideration on existing policing praxis and social attitudes on 1 of 4 current social - policing issues. The essay asks students to determine if current police occupational practices and policies reflects social expectations.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

Quiz Weeks 8 - 11

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: From 10am Sunday 23rd October - 10pm Sunday 30th October
Weighting: 10%

 

The quiz will test the students knowledge of readings and master class presentation from week 8 - 11 inclusive

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the historical development of contemporary policing, as well as policestructures, management, powers, as well as reform and accountability mechanisms
  • Research, locate and summarise academic texts
  • Examine the social implications of real world policing methodologies
  • Critically explore contemporary issues in policing, including: training and culture; strategies; ethics, corruption and accountability; and the use of force

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

Resources are in ilearn, readings & websites

Unit Schedule

Week   1    Unit Guide & Brief History of Policing

Week   2     Police & Policing. What's the difference?

Week   3    Police Use of Force. The good and the bad

Week   4    Police Training & Culture. Is police culture bad?

Week   5    Police Corruption. What's noble cause corruption?

Week   6    Police Strategies. What are they?

Week   7    The Pluralisation of Policing. The 'WHAT' of policing?

Week   8    Research Week. Q&A on the essay

Week   9    Organised Crime. What is it actually?

Week  10     Transnational Organised Crime I. Human Trafficking

Week  11     Transnational Organised Crime II. Counterfeit medicines & the impact on global health

Week  12    Green Criminology

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

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.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2022.05 of the Handbook