Visual Presentation (50%) Students will select one key topic introduced innfirst 6 weeks of the unit—such as the senate inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, over-reliance on incarceration, responses to gender based violence, youth incarceration or age-based sentencing, de-institutionalization of people with disabilities, indefinite detention of refugees—and create a short visual presentation that critically examines the current policy approach and its limitations. The visual presentation will be supported by a 500 words explanatory notes. Referencing will be included with the notes. 

This task encourages students to communicate systems of inequality through visual media while grounding their critique in academic theory and related sources. 

Create a Visual Presentation 

1. Format options (choose one):

Slideshow (5–8 slides) Digital poster or infographic

2. The presentation must show:

The current policy or institutional approach to the selected topic How it reinforces inequality A clear, critical visual narrative of its limitations

3. Supporting Notes or Script (600 words) 

Students submit a brief written commentary that include:

A brief explanation of their visual design and choices Critical analysis of the current policy and its limitations Proposed improvements or alternatives In-text referencing of unit academic sources, legal, and policy sources used A final reference list in APA.

Marking Criteria

• Understanding of Crime and Social Inequality  (ULO 1 & 2)
• Critical Analysis of Policy and Justice Responses  (ULO 3, ULO 4)
• Reflects on Implications of Punishment and Control (ULO 5)
• Visual Communication and Written Commentary (ULO 1 & 5)

Case Study Report (1,200-1,500 words) (50%) Students will select a human rights or community based organisation working in the field of social inequalities, justice and harm (list will be provided in the unit). Drawing from the themes and issues covered in the unit, students will: 

• Research how the organisation responds to a specific issue covered in the unit 
• Critically evaluate the effectiveness and viability of the approaches employed
• Situate the critical analysis within theoretical frameworks explored in the unit and further relevant research.

Report and Written Analysis

Students write a formal analysis that includes:

• A brief overview of the organisation and its mission
• Introduction of the selected issue and why it matters
• Discussion of how the organisation responds (i.e. programs, advocacy, campaigns, partnerships)
• Critically engage with sources that discusses the strengths, challenges, and viability of the approach
• Integration of unit themes/theories
• In-text referencing and final reference list (APA)

Marking Criteria

• Overview and Issue Framing
• Analysis of Organisational Response
• Critical engagment with research and theory
• Academic Writing and Referencing 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS 

All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. via Turnitin. 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.   

The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS 

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.  

External and OUA students are expected to listen to recordings of lectures and make significant contributions to on-line activities.  In most cases students are required to attempt and 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 site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available via Leganto. 

Guest speakers and podcasts of interviews with selected authors of required weekly readings will be offered during the semester. 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED 

Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.  This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.  Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/  

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS 

All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.   Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document. Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process. 

The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS 

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 non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS 

Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.  Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.  If the number of words deviates from the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words deviation from 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 Final Grade Appeal procedure as part of the Assessment policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=277 In accordance with the Grade Appeal procedure, individual works are not subject to regrading. 

STAFF AVAILABILITY 

Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period. 

Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.