ACR102 Week 1 – Unit Overview & Key Expectations

Unit Logistics

  • Lectures: 1 hr + 1 seminar weekly (on-campus or Cloud); access materials via ACR102 site.
  • Room changes: from Week 2 lectures in LT1 at 12 pm; Week 10 at 4 pm.
  • Staff: Dr Chris Lennings (lecturer), Dr Andy Brown (most seminars), Flynn (Cloud seminars). Email preferred for contact.
  • Workload: expect 10–1710\text{–}17 extra study hrs/week (readings, assessments).

Reading & Resources

  • Textbook (same as ACR101) must appear in references for all assessments.
  • Weekly study guide, slides, recordings, discussion boards on Cloud site.
  • Library database NewsBank recommended for media articles.
  • Support: free Deakin Counselling & Disability Services; PASS from Weeks 3-10.

Assessments

  1. AT1 – Media "Presentation" (10 %): create PowerPoint + summary (no live delivery) analysing whose rights are prioritised in a chosen policing or court article.
  2. AT2 – Careers Report (20 %, run by Deakin Talent) – last year offered.
  3. AT3 – Short-answer Task (30 %): choose 3/53/5 topics; academic writing.
  4. AT4 – Essay (40 %): major academic essay; due end of trimester.
  • Submission: online by 23:5923{:}59; penalties start after deadline; nothing accepted after 77 days.
  • Extensions: request before due date; after +3+3 days only via special consideration.

Weekly Lecture Topics (Weeks 1-11)

  1. Intro; aims; themes
  2. Policing & Law Enforcement (Dermot Harkin)
  3. Criminal Process (Claire Farmer)
  4. Imprisonment & Community Corrections
  5. Indigenous Peoples in CJ System
  6. Innovative Justice Processes
  7. Crime Prevention & Reduction
  8. Victims in the CJS
  9. Experts, Lay People & Forensics
  10. Failures of Justice (Ian Warren)
  11. Human Rights & CJS (Matt Mitchell)

Core Themes

  • Discretion: decisions at every stage (police stops, charging, pleas, sentencing, parole).
  • Accountability: oversight varies; police largely self-investigate; courts via appeals; prisons rarely scrutinised.

Key Concepts & Rights

  • Justice: subjective; often defined by powerful; balance victim & offender rights.
  • Funnel of Justice: crimes detected ↓ arrests ↓ charges ↓ convictions ↓ sentences—large "dark figure" unreported.
  • Rule of Law: separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial); due process safeguards.
  • Due Process Rights: silence, presumption of innocence, prosecution bears burden of proof, legal representation, trial by jury, right to appeal.

Advice & Expectations

  • Critical thinking essential—question media, policy, scholarly claims.
  • Engage weekly; non-engagement affects performance and extension eligibility.
  • AI use: permitted only as support; assignments must be student-written—breaches referred to Academic Integrity.

Support & PASS

  • PASS sessions (day & evening) Weeks 3-10—improves grades, study skills.
  • Check announcements before coming to campus.