Course Title: Policy for Justice

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Policy for Justice

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

SOCU2293

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Michele Ruyters

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99252537

Course Coordinator Email: michele.ruyters@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 4

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study  

You should have satisfactorily completed HUSO2235 Introduction to Law before you commence this course.  

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.   

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   


Course Description

In this course you will explore a range of issues that affect justice policy in Australia, and internationally, through topical case studies, policy analysis and critique. You will evaluate influences and sources of justice policy through examination of core concepts such as justice and equality in the legal context. You will also debate the different perspectives and considerations that shape justice policy to evaluate reform options. You will consider policymaking as a process of effecting change in a dynamic social context and will use policy analysis tools to interpret, critique and develop justice policy in a professional context. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  1. Apply critically reflective thought and analytical thinking to problems related to crime management and criminal justice systems in local and international contexts 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Evaluate topical issues relating to law, policy and justice
  2. Analyse and critically assess the influences of politics, law and language on justice policy with a focus on balancing the rights of the individual, and the interests of the state and the community
  3. Debate the competing perspectives and policy considerations that impact on reform in the justice arena and evaluate a range of possible reform options
  4. Apply policy analysis tools to interpret and critique particular policies that relate to justice and present your findings in a professional context
  5. Evaluate the impact of global trends on topical justice issues. 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is delivered  through a blend of learning activities, which may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, videos and student led discussions. Workshop activities will focus on collaboration to develop the knowledge and skills needed to interpret, analyse, evaluate and develop public policy through problem definition and representation, analysis and recommendations for reform. By completing related assessment tasks you will develop professional knowledge and skills. 


Overview of Learning Resources

Resources will be available through the Canvas student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks 

    Assessment Task 1: Policy Report, 50% CLO1, CLO2 and CLO5  

    Assessment Task 2: Policy Proposal, 50%, CLO2, CLO3, and CLO4 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.