Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

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• Unit Title

  Aboriginal Australians in the Criminal Justice System

• Unit Code

  CRI3120

• Year

  2022

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Jamal Robert BARNES

Description

This unit examines the position in the Criminal Justice System of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Students will consider the disparity between the numbers of Aboriginal people in the community and their disproportionate numbers in the Criminal Justice System and will attempt to throw light on this imbalance. They will consider relevant legislation and examine contemporary practice with respect to Aboriginal people within the three arms of the Criminal Justice System: the Police, the Courts and Corrections. As part of this, students will explore the issues surrounding Indigenous customary practices and laws and the possibility of their inclusion into substantive law.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must have completed a minimum of 120 credit points in the course.

Equivalent Rule

Unit previously coded CRI3102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Appraise the intersection between the behaviours arising from distinct practices of disparate Aboriginal groups and and the criminal justice system.
2. Assess the effect of the media portrayal of Aboriginal people in general and in the criminal justice system in particular.
3. Evaluate the effect of the Police, the Courts and Corrections in dealing with Aboriginal people when they become part of the Criminal Justice System.
4. Debate the conflicts between Aboriginal customary law and substantive law.

Unit Content

1. The currency and prevalence in the twenty first-century of ancient cultural traditions and practices and values.
2. The exploration of the changes in the perception by Australian society of Indigenous people.
3. The relevant legislation and its application through public policies.
4. The role of customary law in the practices of Indigenous groups and its impact on their behaviours within the Criminal Justice System as both victims and offenders.
5. The role of the media in the public perception of the minority groups.
6. The roles of the Police, the Courts and Corrections, both in theory and in practice.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is available online and on campus. Weekly seminars introduce the core concepts relevant to understanding the experience of Indigenous Australians in the Criminal Justice System. Seminar activities are designed to support students to improve their critical thinking skills, communication skills and teamwork skills. There is a focus on the cultural and rehabilitative needs of Indigenous people. All information is delivered to online students via LMS: online modules and the discussion board.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.