Course coordinator
Associate Professor Sarah Bennett
Please email to set up an appointment.ﾠ
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
This course aims to provide the knowledge and skills to prepare students for future employment in professional areas related to criminology and criminal justice. This course will provide foundational knowledge of the core elements of professional practice and challenge students to explore how these elements lead to better outcomes in a range of different criminological and criminal justice contexts. The course will teach through a combination of lectures, group work and presentations by criminology/criminal justice field experts who will discuss the application of target skills within their profession's practice. Students will also learn tools to develop their own professional framework that can demonstrate their skills and knowledge to potential employers.
Criminological and criminal justice related fields of work exist across the government and non-government sector and require a broad range of skills. This course introduces students to core elements of professional practice which are foundational to effective performance in the areas of policing, courts, corrections, government, community and the private sector. Students will be required to reflect on how professional practice elements contribute to more effective performance and outcomes when working in the fields of criminology and criminal justice. The course uses a range of different tools for learning including lectures, group work, reflective learning and guest presentations by experienced professionals who will discuss how target skills are applied within their own profession’s practice. Students will develop their own professional framework that demonstrates their learned skills, achievements and strategies to achieve future professional goals. Students will applyﾠproblem-solving frameworks and professional practice skills to inform theirﾠresponses to complex criminological and criminal justice issues.
Course requirements
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the BCCJ, BCCJ/BA and BCCJ (Honours) programs.
Course contact
School enquiries
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide students with foundation knowledge, skills and behaviours to work effectively in the criminal justice system and/or criminological fields of employment. ﾠThe course informs the development of effective practice through research evidence and insights from professional industry experts. The course aims to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their professional practice skills through a range of target learning and problem solving activities.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate understanding of the core knowledge, skills and behaviours that inform effective practice in criminology and criminal justice contexts.
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of the political, social, institutional, ethical, cultural, and legal contexts that shape professional practice in criminal justice and criminology.
LO3.
Collaborate effectively as a member of a project team by applying core professional practice skills and problem-solving strategies.
LO4.
Engage academic and practice literature relevant to this field of study.
LO5.
Recognise and articulate your personal professional practice framework to achieve future career goals.
LO6.
Communicate effectively through writing.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Best Practice Guidelines
|
30% |
31/03/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Investigation Interview Group Activity
|
15% Interview Plan (5%); Interviews (10%) |
9/05/2025 2:00 pm
The interview is conducted in person during class time with actors. The interview plan is submitted via Turnitin by the due date/time. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Investigation Group Report (2,500 words)
|
35% Includes Buddycheck |
22/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Professional Practice Framework and Action Plan | 20% |
11/06/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Best Practice Guidelines
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/03/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06
Task description
In this assessment, you will develop a set of professional practice guidelines for a new criminal investigation unit, focusing on a target key professional skill (identified in class) that is essential to effective/best practice. These guidelines should be evidence-based and practically implementable in a real-world setting. Through this assignment you will demonstrate your understanding of professional practice principles in criminal justice contexts, translate theoretical knowledge into practical, evidence-based recommendations, and show an appreciation of implementation challenges and solutions. Further task details, template and requirements (including relevant marking criteria) can be found in the relevant Assessment folder on Blackboard.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT): This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are required to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment.
Hurdle requirements
Students are required to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment. Failure to do so will result in zero marks for this assessment piece.Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Investigation Interview Group Activity
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15% Interview Plan (5%); Interviews (10%)
- Due date
9/05/2025 2:00 pm
The interview is conducted in person during class time with actors. The interview plan is submitted via Turnitin by the due date/time.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06
Task description
You will work with a group/team to investigate and solve a case through critical thinking and application of effective professional practice skills. The Investigation Series assessments include an Investigative Interview (comprising of a plan and interview) and an Investigation Report (see separate task description).
Interview. As a group you will conduct an Investigative Interview. To complete this activity, groups will develop their Interview Plan (5%) using the framework and template taught in class. The Interview Plan will detail sample questions and supporting evidence to guide the interview with persons of interest in the investigation. Groups will submit their Interview Plan by 2PM via Turnitin on the due date, during class time. As a group you will also conduct an Investigative Interview (10%). This provides an opportunity to gain additional information and evidence to inform your investigation results/conclusions. Interviews will be conducted at an allocated time in class. The interview will assess individual and group contribution. If you/your team experience difficulties progressing group activities, please contact the course coordinator to discuss as soon as possible. Further task details, template and requirements (including relevant marking criteria) can be found in the relevant Assessment folder on Blackboard.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT): This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are asked to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Investigation Group Report (2,500 words)
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 35% Includes Buddycheck
- Due date
22/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06
Task description
In collaboration with your investigation team, you will complete an Investigation Report. The Report includes an overview of the investigation, evidentiary analysis (assessment of evidence, your interview and crime theory) and concludes with case recommendations. A report template is provided. Team members should critically engage with course content including activities, readings and insights from criminology and criminal justice experts to develop their Investigation Report. The Report will involve an integration of research literature and findings, problem solving strategies and techniques, effective group/teamwork and application of the best practice guidelines developed by students in their earlier assessment. Further task details, Report template and requirements (including relevant marking criteria) can be found in the relevant Assessment folder on Blackboard.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT): This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are required to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment.
Buddycheck: This assessment includes a Buddycheck. Each team member will complete a Buddycheck form by the due date which will provide an opportunity to reflect on the contribution each member of the team has made to the WHOLE group project. The Buddycheck form may be used to adjust marks according to contribution.
Hurdle requirements
Students are required to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment. Failure to do so will result in zero marks for this assessment piece.Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Professional Practice Framework and Action Plan
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
11/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
In this assessment, you will develop a comprehensive Professional Practice Framework that outlines your chosen career pathway. You'll identify a specific role, establish key professional criteria, and create a detailed action plan. This framework will be accompanied by a visual Gantt chart that maps out your professional development timeline, helping you organize and track your journey toward your career goals. Further task details, Framework template and requirements (including relevant marking criteria) can be found in the relevant Assessment folder on Blackboard.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT): This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are asked to provide an AI/MT declaration with this assignment.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Please see CRIM1111 Blackboard for list of reading materials to support learning activities and assessments for this course.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Introduction to Professional Practice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Communicating to engage, diffuse and investigate Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Ethical standards in CJS practice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Trauma-informed professional practice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Leadership and culture in CJ practice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Teamwork and collaboration foundations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Investigative Problem solving in CJS Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No Class: Public Holiday |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Evidentiary analysis and interview preparation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Seminar |
Interview Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L06 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Case review and report writing for CJS professionals Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Building your professional practice framework Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Seminar |
Career pathways in the justice sector Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Revision week (02 Jun - 08 Jun) |
Not Timetabled |
Revision |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.