Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit focuses on the institutions and processes that surround the implementation and enforcement of criminal law. Students will examine the idea of a criminal justice 'system'; objectives and models of criminal justice; and crime statistics and public perceptions of crime. Other topics will be drawn from the following areas: police powers and exercise of discretion; the exercise of prosecutorial discretion; theories of punishment; juvenile justice; imprisonment and prisoners rights; sentencing; and the role of victims in the criminal justice system.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will have acquired or developed

1. an understanding of the objectives and theories of criminal justice;
2. a knowledge of current legal, political and social perspectives on criminal justice issues;
3. the ability to independently research and critically analyse problems in the enforcement of the criminal law;
4. the ability to think critically about the principles and institutions which relate to punishment; and
5. the capacity to empathise with those practitioners and parties involved in law enforcement and criminal justice processes.

Assessment

Research essay (3000 words): 40%
Examination (2 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading and noting time): 60% OR Examination (3 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading and noting time): 100%

Contact hours

Three hours of lectures per week

Prerequisites

LAW1100 or LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104

Co-requisites

LAW3300 or LAW3301 and LAW3302