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Course Outline

CRM309 Working with Victims and Offenders

Course Coordinator:Susan Rayment-McHugh (srayment@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course builds knowledge and skills for working effectively with victims and offenders in the criminal justice system. You will learn about trauma and the impacts of crime, challenges faced by victims in the criminal justice system, and support needs. You will also learn key skills in offender rehabilitation including assessment and treatment planning. Relevant professional and ethical considerations are also addressed. This course is taught as an intensive workshop, held across five days in Orientation Week, plus three extra tutorials during semester, linked to assessment preparation.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online learning materials 1hr Orientation week 8 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-campus intensive workshops 25hrs Orientation week Once Only
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – On-campus tutorials - 2 hours in weeks 3, 8, and 13. 2hrs Week 3 3 times
Online
Learning materials – Online learning materials 1hr Orientation week 8 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online intensive workshops 25hrs Orientation week Once Only
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Online tutorials - 2 hours in weeks 3, 8, and 13 2hrs Week 3 3 times

Course Topics

Criminal justice system responses to victims of crime, Trauma and the impacts of crime, Support and therapeutic needs, Trauma informed care, Offender management, Assessment, Risk assessment, Client engagement, Rehabilitation, Victim-offender overlap, Professional issues (mature content across all course topics)

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Describe the impacts of crime on primary and secondary victims and explain some of the challenges experienced by crime victims during their interactions with the criminal justice system Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Describe and evaluate existing approaches to support victims of crime, both within and external to the criminal justice system Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Describe and evaluate existing approaches to offender rehabilitation Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Demonstrate skills in offender assessment and intervention planning Empowered
Engaged
5 Synthesise and apply theoretical knowledge and empirical evidence to enhance practice with victims and offenders Empowered
Engaged
6 Apply scholarly writing, research, and reference practice Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in AR325, AR374, AR362, AR363, AR364, AR316, AB316 and AR396 and completed 96 units

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative assessment activities will be undertaken during the intensive workshops in Orientation week including: discussion of assessment tasks, discussion of knowledge to practice transfer, practice case studies, and verbal feedback provided to students, as well as peer feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Case Study Individual 35% 
2,000 words
 Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Essay Individual 35% 
1,500 words
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 30% 
2 hours
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Case Study
Goal: 
Effective rehabilitation requires systematic assessment and evidence-informed intervention planning. For this assessment task you will be provided case study materials about an individual who has committed an offence. The goal of this task is to assess this case and develop an evidence-informed intervention plan for this client. You will be required to apply your knowledge of the causes of crime, assessment processes, and evidence-based rehabilitation, to the assigned case study. The case study details will be provided in class and on Canvas.
Product: Case Study
Format: 
This is an individual case study report. Case study details will be provided in class and on Canvas. Formative activities will be completed during course workshops to familiarise you with relevant assessment and planning processes and to build the skills necessary to undertake an assessment and develop a suitable intervention plan.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Accurate assessment, analysis and planning
 3 4 5
2 
Evidence informed case planning
 3 4 5
3 
Relevant theoretical knowledge
 3 4 5
4 
Effective communication
 4
All - Assessment Task 2:Essay
Goal: 
The goal of this essay is to demonstrate your understanding of the complex issues facing victims of crime in the criminal justice system. You will be required to explore one of the common challenges experienced by crime victims and to explore and critique current approaches used to address these challenges. Topics for this essay will be provided in class and on Canvas.
Product: Essay
Format: 
This is an individual essay assignment. Formative activities will be completed in course workshops to build the knowledge and skills necessary to complete this task.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Knowledge of the impacts of crime, the interface between crime victims and the criminal justice system, and current approaches to address areas of challenge
 1 2 5
2 
Theory and research addressing current practice challenges
 5
3 
Critical thinking, analysis and reasoning
 1 2 5
4 
Research and academic writing
 5 6
All - Assessment Task 3:Examination
Goal: 
To work with clients (victims or offenders) of the criminal justice system, you must have knowledge of research and theory relevant to this field and to understand the application of this knowledge to practice. The goal of this examination is to test your knowledge from course materials throughout the semester.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
This task will take the form of an online examination in individual mode. You will be required to respond to a set number of essay questions drawn from course materials presented throughout the semester.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You will be assessed on course materials from throughout the semester. Short-answer responses will be marked on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of each answer.
 1 2 3 4 5

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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