Bachelor of Justice & Society Handbook FLINDERS UNIVERSITY ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Course Aims 2 Structure and Rules of the Course 3 Further Information 3 Combined Degree Program 4 Program of Study 4 BJS Template 5-6 First Level Topics 7-8 Second Level Topics 9-11 Third Level Topics 12-13 Rule Changes 13 Staff Research Interests 14 Academic Calendar 2011 15 Critical Dates 2011 16 Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 1
BACHELOR OF JUSTICE AND SOCIETY Introduction The Bachelor of Justice and Society requires three years of full-time study. This course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law. Enrolment in BA Honours is offered to students who meet the academic criteria for an automatic offer of entry, or to students whose academic results are accepted by the relevant department as being of sufficiently high standard. Entry is subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the proposed program of study. A Bachelor of Justice and Society also may be studied in a combined program with a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (five-and-a-half years full-time or equivalent), a Bachelor of Laws (five years full-time or equivalent) or a Diploma of Languages (four years full-time or equivalent). Course Aims This course is designed to give students the intellectual tools to research and evaluate the way the legal system works in practice in society. Students develop: an understanding of concepts central to the structure and functioning of a just society, such as rights, laws, freedom, power and rules; an overview of how modern society works, as well as different conceptions of justice; skills to research and analyse social issues and assess proposals for social change; a specific understanding of social policy, including how public policy is developed, implemented, reviewed and reformed within society. Learning outcomes Upon graduating, students will: understand the function of justice representatives in contemporary society; have the ability to reason and argue clearly; understand complex positions and their implications; have the ability to recognise and resolve issues involving values; have the skills required to understand and constructively criticise contemporary life. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 2
Structure and Rules of the Course To qualify for the Bachelor of Justice and Society, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study. Elective topics may be selected from any offered by the University, provided entry and course requirements are met. Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year. FURTHER INFORMATION Further information about the Bachelor of Justice and Society may be obtained from: Course Coordinator Ms Mary McKenna Telephone: 8201 3586 Email: Mary.Mckenna@flinders.edu.au Or Director of Studies Mr Paul Marks Telephone: 8201 3672 Email: Paul.Marks@flinders.edu. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION Student Services Area (SSA) Level 2, Via courtyard Room 242 Law and Commerce Building Phone: 8201 3539 Email: legalstudies@flinders.edu.au Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 3
Honours Degree From 2011 Honours will not be offered in the Bachelor of Justice and Society. A student who wishes to undertake honours, providing they have reached a sufficiently high standard, may undertake honours in Legal Studies or their other area of major study. To qualify for the honours degree in Legal Studies, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study, comprising: 18-units of Legal Studies (or other approved) honours topics and an18-unit Thesis. COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM A combined Bachelor of Justice and Society / Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice or a Bachelor of Justice and Society / Bachelor of Laws may be undertaken. For admission to the program, students first must apply for admission to the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice. If successful, they then apply for admission to the Bachelor of Justice and Society at the time of enrolment. Students who commence but subsequently do not wish to complete the combined program may be eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Justice and Society program and to receive credit for some or all of the topics already completed. Program of Study To qualify for the combined degrees of Bachelor of Justice and Society/ Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice a student must complete the following program of study with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic: A law component of 135 units for the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice or 117 units for the Bachelor of Laws (See Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice entry for further information) A Justice and Society component of 54 units. For more information see: http://www.flinders.edu.au/courses/rules/combined/blawlpbjs.cfm Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 4
BACHELOR OF JUSTICE AND SOCIETY 2011 TEMPLATE Student Name: Student ID: Please use this template to check your program prior to enrolment First Year LEGL1101 JUSS1000 Major (1) Major (2) 1st Year Topic 1st Year Topic LEGL1102 Elective Major (1) Major (2) Second Year LEGL2110 1st Year Topic LEGL Major Topic 1st Year Topic Major 1st Year Topic Major 2nd Year Topic 2nd/3rd Year Topic LEGL2116 LEGL Major Topic Major Elective Third Year LEGL3113 JUSS3300 or 2nd Year Topic Major 2nd/3rd Year Topic Major LEGL Major Topic 3rd Year Topic 2nd/3rd Year Topic JUSS3333 LEGL Major Topic Major Elective 3rd Year Topic 2nd/3rd Year Topic Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 5
* At first year level you must complete 9 units each from two of the major sequences listed below. In second and third years, you will follow through just one of these major sequences: Archaeology Criminal Justice International Relations Philosophy Politics Public Policy Sociology Women s Studies A list of topics offered in these major sequences is available at: http://www.flinders.edu.au/calendar/vol2/ug/bart.htm Second/Third Year Legal Studies Major Topics Second Level LEGL2111 Legal Writing and Research Skills 4.5 LEGL2112 Gender Policy and Law 4.5 LEGL2113 Protecting Children 4.5 LEGL2114 Regulating Small Business 4.5 LEGL2115 Theory and Practice of Mediation 4.5 Third Year LEGL3111 Comparative Law, Culture and Society 4.5 LEGL3112 Regulating Technology 4.5 Note: For information about the topics consult the BJS Handbook, Webpage: http://www.flinders.edu.au/courses/ugrad/bachelor/bjs.htm or the 2011 Course Information Guide. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a continuing student in 2011 and are required to undertake a transition topic of either 1.5 or 3 units please contact the Course Coordinator or Director of Studies for advice before enrolling. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 6
FIRST LEVEL TOPICS LEGL 1101 Australian Justice System (core topic) Co-ordinator: TBA Units: 4.5 Level: 1 Semester: 1 Class contact: 1 two hour workshop each week This topic is an introduction to the Australian justice system. The emphasis in the topic is upon using or applying law in contemporary Australian society. That is, the topic examines substantive areas of law but also the means whereby individuals and groups can use the law to promote and defend their legal rights. Therefore, students consider how law is developed and reformed, the personnel who apply and enforce law, the elements of the justice system and the existing alternatives, and the ways in which the political and administrative environment shapes and is shaped by law. The topic also critically examines many of the basic and essential features of the justice system including concepts of equality, fairness, justice, fault and individual and social rights. LEGL 1102 Contentious Justice Issues (core topic) Co-ordinator: TBA Units: 4.5 Level: 1 Semester: 2 Class contact: 1 two-hour lecture and 1 one-hour tutorial per week The ways in which laws are reformed in Australia are fascinating and important. Law reform can also be very relevant to each of us in our daily lives because it is often about individual's legal rights. But how does law reform take place, why, by whom and what are the consequences? The aim of this topic is to examine the ways, means, and consequences of reform of law and policy. Students will do this by examining a series of topical and challenging case studies of law and policy reform. The case studies include conflict over legal rights and laws in relation to marriage, sex and paternity, child consent to medical treatment and young people's rights. The topic examines the development of competing ideas of rights in each of the case-studies, focusing on the origins of current laws as well as possible and desirable law reforms in the future in Australia and also in other societies. Finally, students will consider the question of the most appropriate way(s) to enshrine legal rights, or indeed whether it makes sense at any level to attempt to enshrine rights in Australian law. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 7
JUSS 1000 Community Justice Policy and Practice (core topic) Co-ordinator: Mary McKenna Units: 4.5 Level: 1 Semester: 1 Class contact: 1 two hour seminar per week This topic introduces students to range of justice issues through field trips and guest speakers from a number of organisations within the Southern Area of Adelaide. Students will become familiar with a variety of policies, programs and services provided by public, private and community sector organisations, for example, the Youth Affairs Council, SACOSS, Family Relationship Centre, the police and the Magistrate s Courts. The topic provides students the opportunity to observe and discuss a variety of legal issues affecting the local community through visiting organisations in groups and seminars with guest speakers from the government and community organisations. The topic provides an opportunity to build on theoretical foundations of the topic Australian Justice System by providing a practical insight into the operation of law and policy at a local level. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 8
SECOND LEVEL TOPICS LEGL 2110 Access to Justice Policy and Reform (core topic) Co-ordinator: Mr Paul Marks Units:4.5 Level: 2 Semester: 1 Class contact: 1 one-hour lecture and 1 one-hour tutorial per week This topic will introduce students to the debate over 'access to justice'. Reforms prompted by the access to justice movement will be described and analysed using Australian and international case studies, including mechanisms to improve access to justice generally, and also responses to the needs of particular groups in society. The case studies will include: alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation; community based legal services; the experience of rural communities in accessing justice; the problems of various demographic groups such as women, the young, the old and people from non-english speaking backgrounds. A visit to court is required in this topic. LEGL 2116 Young People and the Law (core topic) Co-ordinator: Ms Mary McKenna Units: 4.5 Level: 2 Semester: 2 Class contact: 1 one hour lecture and 1 one hour tutorial. Juvenile justice is rarely out of the news, and governments seem to constantly revise policies in this area. But what is the reality of juvenile crime? How well do policies in this area work? In this topic, students will develop skills to critically and thoughtfully undertake research in this and other areas. Skills in a range of research approaches will be developed throughout the topic. LEGL 2113 Protecting Children Co-ordinator: Ms Mary McKenna Units: 4.5 Level: 2 Semester: 1 Class contact: 1 one-hour lecture and 1 one-hour tutorial per week This topic is concerned with the manner in which the child protection system perpetuates and reinforces certain views of childhood. While the focus of the topic will be the welfare of children, the topic will also broaden the discussion by investigating the values that underpin this system and the contradictions apparent in law, policy and practice related to this area. Issues to be addressed include the role of parents, carers and professionals as well as the rights and responsibilities of children and adolescents. The impact of class, gender and ethnicity will be investigated with scope for students to pursue their own research interests within this area. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 9
LEGL 2112 Gender, Policy and Law Co-ordinator: TBA Units: 4.5 Level: 2 Semesters: 1 Class contact: 1 two-hour tutorial fortnightly Australia s legal system is founded on the principle that all people are equal under the law. But the evidence suggests that women and men have not been equal in a number of respects. Policy and law reforms such as equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation have attempted to improve gender equality. But are women and men becoming more equal? The topic introduces you to the diverse literature that assesses gendered patterns of employment, parenthood and violence. The capacity of policy and laws to reduce gender inequalities in everyday life will also be examined. You will make use of multiple sources of evidence including scholarly literature, mass media and websites related to current gender issues. Ideas for effective law reform will also be explored. LEGL 2114 Regulating Small Business Co-ordinator: Mr Paul Marks Units: 4.5 Level: 2 Semester: 2 Class contact: 1 one-hour seminar and 1 one-hour tutorial per week Small businesses operate in a complex and rapidly changing environment. A range of legal issues, in particular, increasingly shape the environment in which small businesses operate and develop. Many graduates will manage and/or work in such businesses and therefore need to understand the legal issues involved. In this topic students will be introduced to the more important legal issues including taxation, agency, insurance and negligence, licensing, intellectual property, contracts and fair trade. The topic will provide a critical overview of the principles, policies and laws involved in running a small business. Students will develop their knowledge of these legal issues, acquire practical skills by applying that knowledge to small business problems, and become familiar with the range of assistance offered to those businesses in Australian society. While the material will focus on small businesses much of it also applies to large business Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 10
LEGL 2111 Legal Writing and Research Skills NOT OFFERED IN 2011 Coordinator TBA Units 4.5 Level 2 Semester TBA Class contact TBA In all professions the ability to communicate effectively in the workplace is imperative. A number of diverse professionals are also required to understand legal terminology and to use it within their employment. This topic incorporates the use of clear concise English language and the use of legal terminology to provide a foundation for confident oral and written communication with a legal emphasis LEGL 2115 Theory and Practice of Mediation NOT OFFERED IN 2011 Coordinator TBA Units 4.5 Level 2 Semester TBA Class contact TBA Mediation is one of the many forms of resolving disputes in society. It is a common method of handling disputes in a range of settings and increasingly becoming more popular in Australian courts. In this topic you will be introduced to the theory of mediation and will learn how this translates into practice. You will have an opportunity, working with practitioners in the field, to put into practice the techniques and skills of mediation that you will develop throughout the topic. The topic will also provide you with a solid understanding of the increasing importance of mediation processes in diverse employment settings throughout public, private and community based organisations. The topic will be linked to the south through the involvement of staff from a local mediation service. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 11
THIRD LEVEL TOPICS LEGL 3113 Research Methods (core topic) Co-ordinator: TBA Units: 4.5 Level: 3 Semester: 2 Class contact: TBA An understanding of social and socio-legal research methods is highly regarded in the workplace and essential for successful completion of honours and postgraduate studies. This research methods topic brings together a range of essential research skills designed to provide students with a grounding in social science research skills. As a basis for rigorous conceptual and practical research it will emphasise the necessity of sound preparation, planning and attention to the process of research. Students will develop the ability to ask their own research questions and seek the answer for themselves. JUSS 3333 Seminar in Justice Policy (core topic) Co-ordinator: Ms Mary McKenna Units: 6 Level: 3 Semester: 2 Class contact: 1 two-hour seminar weekly Prerequisites: Successful completion of second year level of the Bachelor of Justice and Society This topic will bring together the various skills you have developed throughout your degree. A critical approach to law and policy is adopted in this topic with a focus on the interaction between law, policy and social problems. Using identified empirical studies you will be encouraged to explore issues from a range of diverse perspectives. You will consider the impact of law and policy on, for example, race, class, gender, health, education and socioeconomic status within a national and global context. The tensions apparent in the dynamics between often competing perspectives will be investigated in an effort to better understand the complex and often competing dynamics that contribute to the role of law and policy in defining and maintaining contemporary social problems. LEGL 3111 Comparative Law, Culture and Society Co-ordinator: Mr Paul Marks Units: 4.5 Level: 3 Semester: 1 Class contact: 1 one-hour seminar and 1 one-hour tutorial per week What are the differences and similarities between the legal system in Australia, France and China? Why do they exist and are they important? One approach to answering these questions is to examine legal Families, including the Common and Civil law. In this topic students will learn how to compare legal systems across the globe. Subjects will include: the origins and sources of law; the role of legal institutions including courts and legal professionals, and 'inquisitorial' and 'adversarial' procedure; substantive areas of law and procedure including family and criminal law. At the end of the topic students will know a lot about legal systems in other societies and will have skills to help them to find out more. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 12
LEGL 3112 Regulating Technology Co-ordinator: Mr Paul Marks Units: 4.5 Level: 3 Semester: 2 Class contact: 1 two hour seminar and 1 one hour tutorial per week Technological change has a profound impact on society. This topic provides students with a broad understanding of the ways in which society, through regulation, grapples with the effects of technology. The topic, therefore, examines the various influences on the development of policy and law designed to regulate new and emerging technologies. The topic draws on a number of case studies and provides a critical perspective on the development of law designed to regulate intellectual property, the pervasive influence of the internet and the rapidly changing face of the workplace. The topic also provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of their responsibilities concerning the use of technology as well as the chance to critically analyse the relationship between technology and law. JUSS 3300 Justice Policy Work Integrated Learning Co-ordinator: Ms Mary McKenna Units: 4.5 Level: 3 Class contact: Seminars plus 100 hours of field placement Prerequisites: Successful completion of second year level of the Bachelor of Justice and Society required. Enrolment also requires the approval of the topic coordinator. This topic assists students to gain practical work experience in the fields of social justice and policy within relevant public, private and community sector organisations. Students will be assisted to gain a practical understanding of the skills, knowledge and attitudes that influence workplace policy and practice. Students will have an opportunity to use a variety of skills already developed during your degree and the placement will equip them to assess what additional skills they may require before undertaking employment. Students will take up and complete a variety of projects with relevant placement partners. The production of a report totalling 4500 words or equivalent is an expectation of this topic. The specific nature of the report will be negotiated between the Placement Provider, the student and the Placement Coordinator. RULE CHANGES Continuing students in 2011 may apply to Course Coordinator or Director of Studies for special permission to vary their enrolment so that they are not disadvantaged as a result of the rule changes. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 13
TS STAFF RESEARCH INTERESTS Ms Mary McKenna, BA (Hons) (Flinders University) Mary s research interests include juvenile justice, court diversion programs and restorative justice, the impact of child protection policies, social welfare, social justice and equity, public policy and criminological theory. She currently teaches in Community Justice, Young people and the law, Protecting Children, Seminar in Justice Policy and The Work Integrated Learning topic. She has a keen interest evaluating topics to ensure continuing relevance for students. Her current PhD thesis The Social Construction of Parent Blaming investigates the effects on parents of antisocial and illegal adolescent behaviour, focusing on welfare responses to the problems. Mary has conducted research on Family Conferencing in the South Australian Juvenile Justice system for her honours thesis and a subsequent Griffith University Department of Criminology research project. She has also worked on a large-scale national project researching the everyday work of Magistrates Courts in Australia conducted from the Law School at Flinders University. Additionally she plays an active role linking the university and the community, particularly in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide. Mr Paul Marks, BA (Hons) (Flinders University) Paul's research interests include, workplace crime, crime victims, medical and professional ethics, the implementation of public policy and state regulation of citizens 'private' lives. His current PhD project examines formal and informal responses to violent workplace crime focusing on how injured workers perceive the responses to their victimisation. Interviews conducted with injured workers provide the primary data for the project. Preliminary results suggest the stigma associated with workers' compensation and psychological injury present ongoing difficulties for this group of injured workers. Paul is currently producing two publications about violent workplace crime funded by Work Cover SA. Paul teaches in Australian Justice System, Access to Justice policy and reform, Regulating Small Business, Regulating Technology and Comparative Law, Culture and Society. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 14
SEMESTER SEMESTER 1 Orientation Week 1 Week 2 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2011 WEEK COMMENCING 21 February 28 February 7 March CENSUS DATE PUBLIC HOLIDAY Week 3 14 March Adelaide Cup Day Week 4 21 March Week 5 28 March Census date 31/3/10 Week 6 Mid Semester Break 4 April 11 April Mid Semester Break 18 April Easter 22/4-26/4/10 Week 7 25 April Anzac Day Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 2 May 9 May 16 May 23 May 30 May 6 June Week 14 13 June Queen's Birthday Assessment 20 June Assessment Semester Break Semester Break Semester Break SEMESTER 2 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 27 June 4 July 11 July 18 July 25 July 1 August 8 August 15 August 22 August Week 6 29 August 31/8/10 Census Date Week 7 Week 8 Mid Semester Break Mid Semester Break 5 September 12 September 19 September 26 September Week 9 3 October Labour Day Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Assessment Assessment 10 October 17 October 24 October 31 October 7 November 14 November 21 November Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 15
CRITICAL ENROLMENT DATES 2011 SEMESTER 1 TOPICS Thursday 10 March Friday 11 March Thursday 31 March Last day to pay Semester 1 up-front student contribution amounts and tuition fees Last day to enrol in new topics. If you enrol in topics on Friday 11 March 2011 up-front student contribution amounts and tuition fees will be due immediately upon enrolment. Census Date Last Day to purge topics from student record Last day to withdraw without incurring student contribution amounts, tuition fees, or consuming Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) Friday 13 May Friday 17 June Friday 5 August Wednesday 10 August Wednesday 31 August Friday 7 October Friday 11 November Last date to enrol Census Date Last day to withdraw without failure Last day to withdraw Last day to withdraw without failure (WN) Last day to withdraw (WF) SEMESTER 2 TOPICS Last day to enrol in new topics Last day to pay Semester 2 up-front student contribution amounts and tuition fees Census Date Last day to purge topics from student record Last day to withdraw without incurring student contribution amounts, tuition fees, or consuming Student Learning Entitlement (SLE Last day to withdraw without failure (WN) Last day to withdraw (WF) NON-SEMESTER TOPICS Last day of teaching or census date, whichever earlier First University working day after 20% of combined teaching and assessment period has elapsed. 2/3 through the teaching period for the topic or the census date, whichever is later Last day of teaching or last day to withdraw without failure, whichever is later This is not an official university publication. For detailed university policy, consult the Course Information Guide. Bachelor of Justice and Society Course Handbook 2011 16