Punishment, Penalty and Rehabilitation: Australian and International Perspectives

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2026/20
Institute / School :Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Unit Title: Punishment, Penalty and Rehabilitation: Australian and
International Perspectives
Unit ID: CRJUS2300
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): (CRJUS1283 and CRJUS1284) OR (CRJUS1285 and CRJUS1287) OR (ATSGC1283 and ATSGC1284)
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (CRJUS2200)
ASCED: 099903
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit examines the principles, purposes and trends of sentencing, including public attitudes to sentencing, sentencing options, and the role of parliament. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of incarceration; the prison as a total institution; community-based corrections (including probation, parole and other sanctions); the social circumstances and characteristics of offenders; long-term supervision of offenders; the privatisation of prisons; and trends in penology. The unit also considers visual portrayals of punishment and penalty in the media and popular culture. In addition, it examines alternatives to traditional criminal justice processes and agencies, including the role and impact of Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and other NGOs; law reform and advocacy campaigns in Australia; diversion programs (before and within the criminal justice system); restorative justice; and justice reinvestment.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Critically examine the role of the courts, parliament, media and the citizenry in sentencing decisions.

K2.

Identify and analyse a range of contemporary sentencing and penalty issues, considering key debates, issues and scholarly perspectives.

K3.

Identify and critique the advantages and disadvantages of a range of sentencing outcomes and analyse their impact on individuals and society.

K4.

Critically assess the array of alternative corrections and sentencing responses options by the institutions of the State, other organisations and individuals.

Skills:
S1.

Critically assess various debates centred on corrections and sentencing.

S2.

Apply diverse theories of sentencing, penalty and punishment with a particular emphasis on Australia.

S3.

Identify and critically compare various sentencing decision options.

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Apply skills in critical thinking to key debates concerning sentencing and corrections.

A2.

Utilise and integrate relevant conceptual frameworks in analysing sentencing decision making and outcomes using higher order critical thinking skills.

A3.

Identify links and tensions between issues, debates, concepts and perspectives.

Other outcomes:
Unit Content:

Topics may include:

  • Sentencing theory and practice
  • Governance, policy, and public attitudes in sentencing
  • Incarceration and imprisonment
  • Community-based corrections and supervision
  • Social dimensions and trends of punishment
  • Alternatives and reforms in criminal justice
  • Cultural representations of punishment
Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.

Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.

Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.

Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life

Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeightingProfessional Standards
1. K3, S1

Online quiz regarding weeks 1-3 content

Online Quiz

10-20%

2. K1, S3, A3

Literature review about chosen sentencing and/or corrections issue

Written Piece (Literature Review)

30-40%

3. K2, K4, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3

Written response to a hypothetical situation centered on sentencing and/or correctional reform

Written Piece (Reform Paper)

40-50%

4. S1, A1, A3

Students are required to attend and engage in weekly peer discussions

Participation

5-10%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency