Students

SOC 126 – Introduction to Justice and Punishment

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Peter Rogers
Contact via peter.rogers@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit offers students an opportunity to examine the social, moral and political relationships that underpin 'justice' and 'punishment' in the modern world. This criminology unit provides a particular focus on the purpose and aims of the criminal justice system. The 'cycle of justice' is unpacked, including: interacting with the police; what happens in court; how we punish people and what we expect to happen after punishment has been administered. Students are encouraged to re-examine the socially constructed nature of both justice and punishment, questioning the purpose of law and the role it plays in maintaining, or disrupting, established notions of fairness and equity from a criminological perspective. Students will get to go and see 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:

  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Critically apply 'criminal justice' and 'social justice' to the Australian criminal justice system
  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

General Assessment Information

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

This task has two main components for internal students. 

  • CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION includes:
    • PREPARATION FOR TUTORIALS. 2 out of 10 marks per tutorial. This checked by tutors in class. Students should write a 'draft reading reflection' each week before attending class, then bring this draft to the tutorial for review. Details on the requirements for reading reflections are provided below, in brief, and in more depth via the student FAQ document in iLearn. Please review this guidance before posting questions or emailing staff for advice. 
    • ENGAGEMENT IN ACTIVITIES. 8 out of 10 marks per tutorial. Marked by tutors in the classroom this assesses your (a) participation in group discussion and (b) your contribution to feedback from group discussions. Qualitative judgments will be made on each students:
      • use of appropriate materials (e.g. readings) in class,
      • discursive engagement with the weekly topic,
      • contribution to group small group discussions,
      • participation in feedback and larger group discussions,
      • asking informed questions
      • appropriate and timely engagement in the online forums during term

THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS for Active Participation

  • Students are expected to attend and/or complete a total of 75% of all active participation activities. Students must meet this threshold to achieve a passing grade on participation
  • If you miss an activity but have a valid reason you must provide formal documentation (e.g. a medical certificate, letter from student counselor etc.) to your tutor within 7 days of the disruption OR apply for special consideration
  • A special section has been added to this unit guide with more information on how to make up for missed participation activities. Please read HOW TO MAKE-UP FOR MISSED ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES (NOTES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF) in this unit guide 

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READING REFLECTIONS

This task links the learning outcomes of your Active Participation (above) to your Court Report (see below).

Students will write a weekly draft reading reflection every week, as practice. They will improve these drafts, building on feedback in class, and submit two finalised reading reflections for formal marking through Turnitin.

Please check the student guidance and assessment rubric (supplied in iLearn).

This task is split into 2 parts and requires 2 separate submissions via the Turnitin assessment, the link to which is in iLearn.

Deadlines for these submissions tasks are also listed in iLearn once the unit goes live in Week 1.

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ONLINE QUIZ

The online quiz will test some basic knowledge on the course content for the first 6 weeks of the unit. It also tests student engagement with web resources and awareness of some basics about the Australian criminal justice system required for completion of later assessments. It serves to review and consolidate previous learning techniques, strategies and writing skills that are a core of social science, sociology and criminology disciplines.

This quiz will be made available through i-learn from week 5 until week 7 of the term (including the semester half-term break). Students may complete the quiz at any time within this period. Failure to complete the quiz within this time will result in a mark of ‘0’ for the online quiz component. Instructions for the completion of the quiz will be provided in i-learn when the quiz is released. The quiz focuses on discipline specific knowledge and developing a basic set of reflections at the lower order level of learning. Nonetheless it remains vital as a basis for your further study and as a commitment to continuous learning testing a narrow but important range of capabilities and learning outcomes.

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THE COURT REPORT

Students will make independent research visits to the Local and District courts. They will conduct non-participant observations of the court room and write a final report on their observations, combining the theories of justice and punishment discussed in the unit with primary data they collected in the field to answer one of the provided research questions. 

The questions for the Court Report are provided in iLearn along with extended guidance and student FAQs. Refer to this guidance for a full breakdown of the assessment. Questions should be posted to the general discussion board before contacting academic staff.

 

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Late submission of assignments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

NOTE: If not listed here the deadlines for the above tasks are listed in iLearn. Check the ASSESSMENTS box in iLearn or post to the general discussion board for assistance if you can't find them on your own

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Active Participation 10% No ONGOING
Online Quiz 15% No Week 7
Reading Reflections 25% Yes SEE iLEARN
Court Report 50% No Thursday 7th November

Active Participation

Due: ONGOING
Weighting: 10%

This is about much more than simply turning up. Students must prepare notes before class, bring them to class and engage in all activities. See below for more details.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Critically apply 'criminal justice' and 'social justice' to the Australian criminal justice system
  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Online Quiz

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%

The online quiz will test basic knowledge on the course content for the first 6 weeks of the unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format

Reading Reflections

Due: SEE iLEARN
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are required to formally submit 2 reading reflections throughout the session.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Court Report

Due: Thursday 7th November
Weighting: 50%

A research report using observation skills. Full details including word count are provided in iLearn. Please post all questions to the general discussion board before contacting academic staff.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically apply 'criminal justice' and 'social justice' to the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment

Delivery and Resources

Late submission of assignments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Teaching

LECTURE & TUTORIALS are used in this unit. A 2 hour lecture is supported by one hour tutorials in smaller groups. Locations will be confirmed through the online system. Rooms may change depending on timetabling and enrollments so check these on the online timetable regularly for updates.

Required and recommended resources

The required texts (and weekly readings) for this unit of study are not listed in the online unit guide.

The reference for weekly readings will be posted in the iLearn system, be aware that we cannot post up large sections of the books online due to copyright restrictions so many of readings may be rotated in the library system for shorter periods of time.

Text books should be available through the Co-op bookstore on MQ campus, though stock may be limited. You can also check the second hand book store on campus or book exchanges for cheaper second-hand copies. Visit the book store for more information. Supplementary readings may be made available on iLearn and in e-reserve where possible, but your required readings each week are usually from one of the two textbooks.

Technologies Used & Required

Enrolled students on this course will need access to a computer and to the internet (both of which are available through MQU campus). Though use of a solid internet connection off campus will facilitate the ease of access to online learning materials and support.

Unit Schedule

 

WEEK 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIT

WEEK 2

KEY CONCEPTS

WEEK 3

WHAT IS JUSTICE?

WEEK 4

THE POLITICS OF CONTROL

WEEK 5

ASSESSMENT WORKSHOPS

WEEK 6

HOW DOES JUSTICE HAPPEN?

WEEK 7

WHATS TO JUDGE

WEEK 8

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

WEEK 9

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO JUSTICE I

WEEK 10

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO JUSTICE II

WEEK 11

WHO SUFFERS MOST?

WEEK 12

UNIT SUMMARY                              

WEEK 13

NO LECTURE

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

Weekly lectures on discipline specific content

Tutorials

Weekly tutorials on content, workshops on assessments and skill development

Online Discussion

Accessing group spaces online and general discussion boards to participate in critical debate

Announcements

Access convenor announcements for up-to-date information

iLearn

Access Ilearn and echo360 to download and review lecture slides, content and relevant information

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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 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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Court Report

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Court Report

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Reading Reflections
  • Court Report

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Reading Reflections
  • Court Report

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Reading Reflections

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use social research skills to analyse, interpret and assess different sources of data and evidence
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format
  • Engage in independent observation activity in a courtroom environment
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Reading Reflections
  • Court Report

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the criminal justice system using social and criminological theory and research
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Reading Reflections
  • Court Report

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically apply 'criminal justice' and 'social justice' to the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess key concepts in the sociology of law and criminology across local, regional and global examples
  • Demonstrate a continuous commitment to learning by preparing for and engaging in all online and classroom activities

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Court Report

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically apply 'criminal justice' and 'social justice' to the Australian criminal justice system
  • Critically assess the ideal of justice 'done' in the Australian criminal justice system
  • Communicate ideas on justice and punishment to fellow students and teachers clearly in spoken and written format

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Online Quiz
  • Court Report

Changes from Previous Offering

Reduced reading reflections from 3 to 2

We have amended the assessment overviews to show the articulation of class room preparatory work (active participation assessment) into the reading reflection assessment. This is to show that notes taken and prepared before attending the tutorial should be a draft reading reflection which the student can review, edit and improve to be submitted formally for the final reading reflection assessments.

We have updated the student FAQs and extended assessment guidance documents in iLearn

We have included a section on Making up for missed activities (special consideration and active participation guidance for students) to clarify the special consideration requirements more simply; given the new approval system at faculty it is hoped this will ensure consistency of approvals and provide guidance for professional staff when granting applications (for missed tutorials/discussion board activities etc.)

HOW TO MAKE-UP FOR MISSED ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES (NOTES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF)

If you provide formal documentation (e.g. medical certificate, letter from councilor etc.) to your tutor within 7 days of the missed activity OR have been granted special consideration for the Active Participation assessment - before the end of week 13 - you will have to complete a make-up activity in order to receive marks towards your final active participation grade.

Completion of a make up activity means you can still pick up marks towards your final Active Participation grade. If you do not complete a make-up activity you will not receive marks for the missed activity.

Things to remember for make-up activities include:

  • Students must have documentation approved by a tutor OR receive a special consideration before posting in the make-up activities discussion board thread. If you post in this thread without permission you may not receive marks for your work and your post may be deleted by our moderators
  • Post in the right place.
    • A special thread entitled 'MAKE-UP ACTIVITIES' has been created in the general discussion board. Do not create a new discussion thread for your post. If you do not post in the correct place your post may be deleted by moderators and you will not receive a mark. 
    • Make sure you reply to the root instruction (the post at the top of the discussion thread) when making your initial post
    • Replies to questions posed by other students should be made by replying to that students post.

 

MAKE-UP ACTIVITIES - INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Part 1. Your initial post

Include in your initial activity post:

a) A quotation from one of the weekly readings for the session you missed (with properly formatted citation)

b) A relevant article from a news source (this can be online but should be current, i.e. something that happened recently - with properly formatted citation)

c) A short description of how the two are related (no more than two short paragraphs)

d) A question to the rest of the student cohort to stimulate further discussion 

 

Part 2. Your response to another student. 

- Check back within a week of making your post.

- Respond to a question posed by another student.

- Include references to relevant material in your response. This helps to show wider engagement, and further demonstration of academic skills

Changes since First Published

Date Description
09/07/2019 I corrected the court report assessment deadline to Thursday November 7th