Managing Justice: Agencies and the State

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Total of 120 hours

Criminology or Socio-Legal Studies at 1st and 2nd year

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the management of criminal justice in Victoria within the broader context of social justice. Its core interests are to explore: The nexus between criminal justice and social justice in the state's management of individuals and groups it considers to be at risk of harning, or being harmed, by others; the relationship between agencies and the state in the management of criminal justice in Victoria; the theory and practice nexus. The course begins with an overview of shifting risks and shifting perceptions of risks in Victoria. The major focus of the course then turns to the current situation. To complement scholarly perspectives on social issues, (including, for example, in relation to youth justice; family violence and sexual assault; mental illness; drug and alcohol use; imprisonment detention), guest lecturers from local agencies and institutions will discuss the contemporary practice of criminal justice management in Victoria and implications for social justice more broadly. Students are encouraged to theorise, historicise, analyse and reflect upon these matters including with reference to a particular case study. The subject is of general relevance to social science students and of particular interest to those intending to work in the field and/or pursue internships at undergraduate Honours, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level.

On completion of this subject student should:

• Understand the socio-historical context of criminal justice policy and practice in contemporary Victoria;
• Understand changes in the nature and scope of state and non-state interventions into the lives of certain groups and individuals in Victoria;
• Appreciate the interplay between, and different perspectives of, agencies and institutions in the management of 'deviant' or 'criminal' groups and individuals;
• Have an enhanced understanding of scholarly approaches to the concept and management of 'deviance' and various practical approaches in the field.

A written essay of 1500 words (40%) due mid-semester, and a written essay of 2500 words (60%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop and/or on the subject LMS site.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who complete this subject should:

• have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
• have sophisticated awareness of historical, cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.

This subject is available as Breadth to all non-Bachelor of Arts students.