UNIT OUTLINE
JALE1044: Foundations of Justice
Discipline of Criminology and Justice
EDUCATOR INFORMATION
Name: Lara Bell
Email: [email protected]
1. UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit introduces students to the study of criminology and criminal justice. In doing so,
it aims to develop students’ ability to perform successfully at tertiary level by addressing
the skills applied to the context of social science, specifically to criminology and criminal
justice. This unit also introduces students to the origins of the Australian Criminal Justice
System and the formal functions of law enforcement, courts and correctional services.
This unit commences with an examination of core concepts central to the study of
criminology and criminal justice. This includes introducing students to varying
classifications and perspectives of justice, crime and criminality. Students will also
explore the workings of the major institutions of the Australian criminal justice system.
Throughout the unit, students will be introduced to the core skills and requirements when
undertaking tertiary study, namely time management, utilising library resources
effectively, academic writing style and referencing.
2. UNIT INFORMATION

3. DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES
AND GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
3.1 Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
a. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts central to the study of criminal justice
b. Understand and apply the conventions for academic writing, including those
relating to integrating research and citing sources
c. Develop research skills and be able to read and identify academic sources
d. Examine the origins and formal functions of law enforcement, the courts, and
corrections.
3.2 ACAP Graduate Attributes
Successful completion of this unit also contributes specifically to the development of the
following ACAP Graduate Attributes:
GA1 COMMUNICATE: Apply effective communication skills with others in diverse
contexts and through multiple modalities
GA2 SUSTAIN: Sustain an intentional commitment to maintain currency and
further develop knowledge and skills over their lifetime
GA3 THINK: Apply critical, creative and flexible thinking to contribute and
respond constructively across diverse settings
GA4 ENGAGE: Engage effectively with contemporary and traditional knowledges
across multiple contexts
GA5 WELLBEING: Utilise skills and knowhow to maintain resilience, personal
and professional wellbeing when responding to challenges and opportunities
GA6 EQUALITY: Enact inclusive practices that deliver social justice and equality
of opportunity
GA7 INTEGRITY: Apply integrity and ethical standards to study, research and
practice
GA8 COMMUNITY: Use teamwork and leadership knowledge and skills to
advance teams, groups and communities
GA9 GLOBAL: Apply culturally sensitive professional knowledge and skills to
contribute to a sustainable global future
4. LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
This unit has been designed to help maximise your learning and integrate it with
knowledge and skills developed in earlier and later units in your course, so that you will
have mastered all of the necessary learning outcomes and graduate attributes. You will
need to be active in your approach to learning, completing the set learning activities
before class, participating during class and consolidating what you have learned
afterwards. This means that as well as the time spent learning in class, you will need to
put aside additional time each week for independent learning.
The Student Code of Conduct outlines our expectations of behaviour and is designed to
align with the professional expectations of students graduating from our courses. Content
of units may be personally challenging at times for yourself or others, and we encourage
you to reflect on how we can all support each other to achieve our learning goals.
The workload may include regular weekly learning experiences, tasks, attending classes
(face-to-face / online), online activities, completing readings, hurdle task activities,
researching module topics, and completing prescribed assessment tasks. Students will
be required to be proactive and self-directed in their learning, sourcing information as
required, especially from the sources available through the Moodle class space.
The Student Participation and Attendance Policy outlines our expectations and ensures
international students maintain conditions of their study visa.
To assist you to plan for study in this trimester, follow the link to the ACAP key dates
https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/key-dates/
5. WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week Topic Activities and Assessments
1
Unit overview
What is justice?
Time management, creating a
timeline, meeting deadlines and
study hacks
Tutorial discussion:
Introductions
Familiarity with Moodle
Planning for the trimester
Week Topic Activities and Assessments
2
Defining and measuring crime
Formal writing and professional
communication
Tutorial discussion:
TEEL/ paragraph cohesion
3
Media and crime/ prevalence of
crime
Plagiarism, paraphrasing and
summarising, TurnItIn
Tutorial discussion:
Paraphrasing and summarising
Assessment 1: Reflective Practice
due
4
Victim and offender
characteristics
Creating and essay plancohesion
Tutorial discussion:
Creating an essay plan
5
Psychological and sociological
explanations of crime
How to find credible/academic
sources and the role of theory
Tutorial discussion:
Finding credible academic
sources
Identifying keywords
6
The criminal justice system
Referencing and formatting
Tutorial discussion:
Referencing and reference lists
Assessment 2: Essay plan due
(Monday)
7 Break Week No classes
Week Topic Activities and Assessments
8
The police
TEEL recap and using evidence
Tutorial discussion:
Police cultures
Police legitimacy
9
The criminal courts
Writing introductions and
conclusions
Tutorial discussion:
Sentencing principles
10
Corrections Group work and
being a good team member
Tutorial discussion:
Challenges in corrections
11
Victims, criminal justice and
restorative justice
Other types of written
assessments
(reports/annotated
bibliographies etc.)Corrections
Group work and being a good
team member
Tutorial discussion:
Restorative justice
Assessment 3: Essay due
12
Failures of Justice
Exam/Quiz strategies
Tutorial discussion:
Failures of justice
13
Unit reflections
Reflections and feedback
(giving and receiving)
Tutorial discussion:
Trimester recap
6. ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
The assessment in this Unit has THREE components as listed below:
Assessment
Type
Due Date
Learning
Outcome
Weighting Length
Assessment 1:
Reflective
Practice (What
is justice?)
Week 3
Wednesday at
12.00pm (midday)
AEST/AEDT
a, b, c 20% 700 words
Assessment 2:
Essay Plan
Week 6
Wednesday at
12.00pm (midday)
AEST/AEDT
a, b, c 30% 1000 words
Assessment 3:
Essay
Week 11
Wednesday at
12.00pm (midday)
AEST/AEDT
a, b, c, d 50% 1500 words
7. ASSESSMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The Assessment Policy and Procedure located on the ACAP website is a full
statement of the principles and practice which inform the design, development and
implementation of assessment at ACAP. All policies are available via
https://www.acap.edu.au/pages/policies-procedures/. Application forms such as the
extension request, academic considerations and appeals against grades are available
via https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/forms-and-policies/a-z-forms-andapplications/.
7.1. Assessment Practice
Academic integrity and professional standards
Academic integrity and professional standards Plagiarism is the inclusion of another
person’s work within your submission without acknowledgment or permission. Plagiarism
is regarded as a form of cheating. The penalties associated with misconduct are severe,
and plagiarism may result in failure or variation of grade in the Unit. All ACAP students
must familiarise themselves with the Academic Integrity Statement, and the Academic
Misconduct Policy.
Submitting Assessments
Assignments are submitted via the class space by the due date in the Assessment
Overview. Unit educators will provide instructions and demonstration of the submission
process prior to the due date for the first assessment in the unit. Students who
experience technical issues when attempting to submit their assignment should contact
ACAP IT Support and email their educator.
Examinations and presentations must be attended as scheduled, unless by prior
arrangement via Academic Consideration in Assessment. Non-attendance at a
scheduled assessment may result in a Fail grade for the assessment and may impact a
student’s ability to demonstrate an assurance of learning against each learning outcome.
Late submission of assessments
Should a student without an approved extension fail to submit an assessment piece by
the due date, they will attract a 5% penalty for every calendar date the assessment is
submitted late. The late penalty is deducted from the total marks available for the
assessment piece, not the mark awarded. For example, an assessment worth 50% will
incur a late penalty of 2.5 marks per day. No assessment will be accepted after 10
calendar days from the due date unless an extension has been granted.
Extensions
Should a student require an extension they must apply in accordance with the Official
Assessment Extension Guidelines (refer to Attachment 2 of the Assessment Policy and
Procedure). Some, but not all assessments may permit the use of an auto-extension
facility in Moodle to apply for a one week extension. If this applies the option is available
until the original due date and no supporting documentation is required. Otherwise,
students apply online via the official Assessment Extension Request Form.
https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/forms-and-policies/a-z-forms-andapplications/
Academic Consideration in Assessment
Students may submit an application for Academic Consideration in Assessment
based on unforeseeable adverse circumstances which have impacted their ability, or one
or more members of their group’s ability, to meet assessment deadlines (refer to
Attachment 4 of the Assessment Policy and Procedure.
Receiving marks for assessments
Students will be notified of marks for individual assignments via the class space.
Appeals against grades
Each student has the right to appeal against an assessment decision. The student is the
only person who can lodge an appeal. In the case of an assessment appeal, the student
must approach the unit Academic Teacher directly first and every attempt should be
made to resolve the issue at this level. If there are grounds for a more formal appeal,
access the Assessment Appeal Application Form.
8. PRESCRIBED, RECOMMENDED AND
FURTHER READINGS
The prescribed textbook for this unit is:
Hayes, H., & Prenzler, T. (Eds.) (2020). An introduction to crime and criminology (5th
ed.). Pearson Australia. Available from Ebook Central. (3 users at once)
Additional prescribed, recommended, and further readings are made available in the
online class space.
9. LEARNING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Academic and Learning Support
Students’ first point of contact for academic support is their unit educator. Contact details
for the staff in this unit are available in the class space. Here students will find
consultation hours for this unit and the best means for contacting individual staff.
Library
To support your learning in this unit, the Library (https://libguides.navitas.com/home)
provides access to print and electronic books, scholarly journals, referencing guides and
other resources. ACAP librarians can help you through our Library Chat service or by
online appointment (https://navitas.libcal.com/appointments).
User guides, IT policies and Technical Support
For user guides, IT policies and technical support: https://www.acap.edu.au/studentresources/support-services/it-student-helpdesk/.
The Student Learning Support (SLS) Service
To access the Student Learning Support, follow this link https://sls.navitasprofessional.edu.au/. The site provides information on effective study habits and
information that will assist you to structure, format and reference an assignment
successfully. It also provides information on a range of workshops and tutorials to
support students with study skills, academic writing and language learning. SLS Advisors
offer consultations online or in person at selected on campus locations.
Smarthinking
Smarthinking is an assignment review service available in many Diploma and Bachelor
level units. Check the class space for links to the Smarthinking service.
Personal Support
ACAP counsellors provide free confidential support and personalised assistance to help
students manage their personal issues and develop strategies to concentrate on their
studies. Sessions are available online or in person at selected campus locations. Find
more information via https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/supportservices/counselling-support/.
Administrative Support
The Student Engagement team can assist with administration matters. For more
information https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/support-services/studentengagement-and-administration/.
10. ASSESSMENT DETAILS
This section contains information and instructions regarding assessment tasks for this
unit. You are expected to read this information carefully.
All assessments for this unit require use of the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (APA 7) style of referencing. Information
about the APA 7 referencing style is available from the ACAP Student Learning Support
website (https://sls.navitas-professional.edu.au/referencing-overview).
10.1 ASSESSMENT 1
Assessment 1

Assessment Details and Instructions
This assessment provides an opportunity for early feedback on your developing
academic skills, including the skills of reading for a purpose, summarising, sentence and
paragraph construction, locating and selecting appropriate sources, referencing, and
proofreading.
Steps:
1. Take notes on the main ideas from week one’s lecture and reading: What is
Justice?
2. In 350 words, answer the question: According to the reading ‘What is Justice?’,
can justice be clearly defined? Explain why or why not.
Start the paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the
paragraph
Write in a formal academic style
Use third person (no use of I, me, my, we, our, etc.)
Focus on the question – According to the reading, can justice be clearly defined?
Explain why or why not (provide examples/ evidence)
Support your answer with at least one in-text reference using APA 7 style
Remember to include all references you’ve cited in-text in your Reference List at
the end of your assignment.
3. Write a second paragraph (350 words) with your own personal reflection
describing your view of what justice is. Consider:
what or who has shaped your views of justice?
whether your views match any formal or academic definitions of justice. If so, how?
If not, how do they differ?
Start the paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the
paragraph
Write in a formal academic style
Use first-person when needed (I, me, my, we).
4. Submit your assignment to the Assessment 1 drop-box in the online class
space (Moodle).
Assessment Resources
Paragraph structure
Formal academic writing
Introduction to referencing
Presentation requirements
Library Pathfinder
Marking Criteria

10.2 ASSESSMENT 2
Assessment 2

Assessment Details and Instructions
This assessment is designed to assist you to develop a logical essay plan that will be
used in Assessment 3, the essay. Select one topic from theose recommended below,
and develop an essay plan that outlines the main points you intend to cover in your final
assessment (the essay). Your essay plan should include:
your argument in relation to the chosen topic area
an introduction which reflects the order of points in your essay plan
3-4 main points that you will discuss in the main body of your essay.
Each main point should provide:
a clear topic sentence
appropriate evidence to support your point
a linking sentence.
Dot points are acceptable; however, full sentences are required, and the essay plan
must clearly convey the main argument underpinning your essay.
Recommended topic suggestions:
1. Discuss the link between incarceration, bail conditions, and recidivism after release
in Australia. (You may wish to focus on a specific population, e.g. youth).
2. Discuss the role of police discretion in shaping public perceptions of police
legitimacy in Australia.
3. Explore three key challenges in balancing the rights of the offender against the
rights of the victim in Australian courts.
Students are welcome to propose alternative topics. These should focus on crime or
criminal justice issues of relevance to Australia, and must be discussed with the Unit
Lecturer prior to commencing this assessment to ensure they are appropriate.
Assessment Resources
Paragraph structure
Formal academic writing
Introduction to referencing
Presentation requirements
Library Pathfinder
Marking Criteria

10.3 ASSESSMENT 3
Assessment 3

Assessment Details and Instructions
The purpose of an essay is to explore a topic and reach a conclusion using a sound
academic argument. This means explaining and justifying your ideas based on reliable
evidence. It is important that your essay has a central idea or argument and that you
provide valid research to support this.
Task: building on the topic you chose for the essay plan (assessment 2), write an essay,
with your own argument, exploring one of the following topics:
1. Discuss the link between incarceration, bail conditions, and recidivism after release
in Australia. (You may wish to focus on a specific population, e.g. youth).
2. Discuss the role of police discretion in shaping public perceptions of police
legitimacy in Australia.
3. Explore three key challenges in balancing the rights of the offender against the
rights of the victim in Australian courts.
The essay is 1500 words (+/- 10%) and must be structured and written in a formal
academic style. It should therefore include a brief introduction and conclusion and have
clearly defined/spaced paragraphs. A minimum of six (6) valid references are required.
References must be integrated and cited appropriately throughout the body/discussion
with citations conforming to the APA 7 style. For referencing guides and assistance, refer
to the SLS website: https://sls.navitasprofessional.edu.au/referencing-overview.
Assessment Resources
Approaching the question
Essay structure
Cohesion: Linking ideas
Library Pathfinder
Marking Criteria

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