POLICE, SOCIETY & DEMOCRACY
LST2POL
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject discusses the history, institutional configuration, role and performance of police in Australia's socio-political context. To these ends, we explore a variety of questions concerning the police and its role in our criminal justice system; the relevance of policing for a democratic society, and the links between police and community, among other relevant aspects of police, law & order. After completing this course, students should be able to both understand fundamental facts about police and policing, and critically evaluate their role in a broader socio-political context.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Raul Sanchez-Urribarri
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 15 credit points of any first year Legal Studies or Politics subject and 15 credit points of any Humanities and Social Sciences subject, or subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: LST3POL
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Become familiar with the key theoretical underpinnings of police and policing, plus a survey of the current institutional framework in Victoria
- Activities:
- On-line teaching clips and quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
02. Develop a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary challenges of policing in Australia and beyond
- Activities:
- Follow up, write and share with class a co-authored blog focusing on a specific challenge of policing, following the guidelines provided in class
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
03. Learn about police culture, and analyse its importance in police-society relations
- Activities:
- Write a short essay addressing a specific topic related to police culture, choosing from a selection provided by the lecturer
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
04. Learn and critique police reform efforts in Victoria, Australia and internationally
- Activities:
- On-line teaching clips and activities
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
05. Understand the history of the police, with an emphasis on Victoria and Australia more generally
- Activities:
- On-line teaching clips and quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Raul Sanchez-Urribarri
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 word essay on Police Culture | 25 | 03 | |
| 1,500 word coauthored blog | 35 | 02 | |
| Online quizzes/activities (1600 word equivalent) | 40 | 01, 04, 05 |