Justice is your opportunity to learn to create a more just, equitable world. Study policing and governance, learn about the contemporary issues in social justice that are influencing our lives, and build skills and strategies to shape a fairer society.

Units you can choose

Design your own study abroad or exchange semester by selecting individual units or a set of related units in your field of interest. Some of our study areas also have packages of units that will make your applying process easier.

Packages

We've done the hard work for you and packaged together some of our units to make your decision easier. Choose a package depending on your interests and previous study, or choose from all our justice units to create your own study plan.

No previous studies in justice required

Requires some knowledge of justice

Approved units

All students can study these units, regardless of your academic background. These units will be approved on your QUT study plan after you apply.

Justice

JSB170 Introduction to Criminology and Policing

Introduction to Criminology and Policing will provide you with an introduction to the disciplines of criminology and policing. This unit will provide you with a foundation for understanding theories, concepts, and issues related to criminology and policing in an Australian and international context. It begins with an exploration of the existing explanations of crime from both an individual and social theoretical perspective and will provide you with a background of policing in Queensland, Australia, and internationally. The remainder of the unit then covers topics of interest to those within the area of criminal justice, policing and criminology, for example, crimes in the home, crime in public, white collar crime, and youth crime.

JSB171 Justice and Society

An understanding and appreciation of the complexities of social justice, and particularly their impact on criminal justice outcomes in our society, is a key skill for competent justice professionals. This unit provides the foundational sociological and criminological knowledge that is necessary to understanding justice in a social context, and which is essential for ensuring justice professionals act in socially just and ethical ways.

JSB172 Professional Academic Skills

Professionals in many fields including Justice are required to have outstanding academic literacy and professional skills, particularly the ability to source, understand and analyse written sources and synthesise evidence into professional written formats. This unit gives students a thorough grounding in the core academic and professional literacies required during their studies and into their graduate careers.

JSB173 Understanding the Criminal Justice System

Justice professionals require a thorough foundational understanding of how Australia’s systems of justice operate structurally and how people progress through those systems. This unit provides a critical overview of the Australian Criminal Justice System through examinations of the key arms of policing, courts and corrections and their processes.

JSB178 Policy, Governance and Justice

This unit is designed to introduce students to the practice and theorising of politics and policy making. It will provide you with a foundation to understand the people, systems and structures that influence how our government works. Understanding political dynamics and how good policy-making happens helps prepare students to work in government agencies, or to work more effectively in non-governmental roles concerning law and justice. In addition to providing a conceptual overview of the structures and functions of government, this unit introduces students to the practical elements of policy-making enabling you to develop basic political communication skills.

JSB180 Deviance and Social Justice

The study of deviance engages with fundamental aspects of criminology and justice studies, such as the making and breaking of laws, the analysis of issues pertaining to marginalised social groups and activities, and other important social justice concerns. Drawing on problem solving skills and interpretive traditions in the social sciences, the unit encourages students to think critically about "deviance" (often manifesting as a social problem or contested behaviour), asking why some activities and social groups are considered deviant and others not across various historical and cultural contexts. The unit examines social and legal responses to managing and controlling deviance and engages with important related problems in social justice, such as gender equality and racial discrimination. The scope and concerns of the unit make it broadly accessible to students and the unit's focus on real world social problems will appeal to a broad cross-section of QUT's student market.

JSB181 Introduction to Justice Research Methods

Research skills are essential for justice professionals and enable evidence-based decision making and effective policy development within the criminal justice system. This unit is designed to provide students with a foundation in applied research practice. At completion of this unit, you will develop skills in various research methodologies, including survey construction, interview techniques, observational methodologies, and experimental designs. You will also be equipped with the skills necessary for rigorous academic inquiry and evidence-based decision making within the justice discipline.

JSB281 First Nations People (In)Justice

Over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system has been called a national disgrace. The criminal justice system has been developed over time from a combination of government-driven actions and policies targeted at First Nations people. The contemporary criminal justice system is a combination of government and non-government agencies that present both challenges and opportunities for addressing over-representation of First Nations people. This unit will explore colonial history and the impact of crime and policing policy on First Nations people. It will also examine ways to work effectively and in culturally safe ways with First Nations communities to achieve justice.

Units requiring approval

Students need specific academic background knowledge to study these units. We will assess your eligibility and determine if you’re able to take these units after you apply. We will let you know the outcome as soon as possible.

Justice

JSB207 Punishment and Penal Policy

In the modern Western context, concerns with crime, victimisation and social harm are key concerns for the citizenry. These issues also make up a significant part of media and political discourse and it could thus be argued that crime and punishment are defining cultural motifs of modern Western societies, forever concerned with security and safety from the 'criminal other'. This unit offers you a critical overview of the evolution of Western responses to crime over the past two centuries. The unit introduces the philosophies and theories that have underpinned the development of penal policy during that period. Using Australian and other case studies, you will be introduced to a range of policies and interventions associated with the construction of the modern penal system. The various stages of the development of penal policy will be covered. The unit will challenge you to think critically about a range of key issues confronting the penal system and policy-makers.

JSB224 Understanding Trauma in Criminology

This subject addresses the ways in which trauma is important to theory and practice in criminal justice and social justice discourse. Trauma informed practice is explored in ways that introduce students to theory and skills in order to inform their engagement with policy and practice and expand their understanding of professional work in criminal justice. This is particularly important in understanding intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities. This subject will build on understanding gained in core units to help prepare for careers working in criminal justice agencies and policy development in criminal justice related fields.

JSB227 Case Studies in Criminal Prosecution

The prosecution process is an evolving and dynamic element of criminal justice systems. In this unit, students will study a range of contemporary issues in Australian criminal prosecution. By examining various case studies in criminal prosecution, students will attain a deep understanding of the forces that shape criminal justice and legal practice in prosecution and how these processes have changed over time. Students will engage with a variety of sources to analyse and interpret various real world social justice issues relating to criminal prosecutions. 

JSB228 Technology and Crime

Technology is becoming increasingly used within society and is an important domain of knowledge and skills for justice professionals. This unit provides students with a grounding in how technology may be used to perpetrate crime and respond to crime problems. Students will learn about different types of crime that may be perpetrated using technology, such as cybercrime, image-based abuse, and technology facilitated coercive control. Students will also learn how technologies may be used in modern policing practices, including the use of body worn cameras, apps and other technologies. At completion of this unit students will be able to consider the implications of technology in the practice of justice.

JSB235 Investigation and Evidence

Few people in justice fields are trained investigators. Justice professionals are routinely communicating with and obtaining information from clients and others. Their roles may also require them to conduct an investigation and provide a report of their findings. The skills required to conduct an effective and ethical investigation are however quite specific and may ultimately result in the investigator giving testimony in court proceedings. Further the scope of possible investigations is very broad. While most will associate investigations to suspected breaches of criminal laws, investigations may relate to non-compliance with workplace policies e.g. health and safety incidents, negative workplace behaviour. Workplace Investigation Skills provides foundational investigation skills that will enable each student to plan an investigation, gather evidence, identify witnesses and suspects, and produce an professional report articulating the findings of the investigation.

JSB261 Theories of Government

You cannot fully understand our system of government without understanding the history of the theories that have led to this point. This is core knowledge for working in policy or politics. This unit will run through all the major theories of how governments should operate and the basis of authority, legitimacy and freedom. JSB261 Theory of Government will provide you with the necessary knowledge of what our system of government is designed to do and why we have this rather than another system of government.

JSB263 Global Political Institutions

Justice graduates are increasingly taking on key roles working in or alongside political institutions. It is essential that graduates have a full and working knowledge of the structure and process of international governance in order to excel in these roles in an increasingly professionalised and globalised public sector. This unit will explore the establishment, evolution and functioning of key international and Australian political institutions, in order to increase students' understanding and awareness of our systems of governance.

JSB270 Global Justice and Human Rights

In an increasingly globalised world, justice professionals are frequently faced with challenges that are international in scope. Human rights abuses, environmental instability, poverty, conflict and regional instability act as obstacles to the maintenance of domestic order and international peace and security, as well as an individual's capacity to live a dignified life. This unit explores challenges to human rights in a global context, with a focus on human rights violations during conflict, issues of justice and equity associated with the movement and migration of people, and the human rights environment for marginalised communities. The unit also introduces students to theories of global justice as a lens through which to understand human rights. This unit will assist students to understand challenges in the global context and how they might work to address them.

JSB272 Theories of Crime

Criminology is a multi-disciplinary field and this is reflected in the diversity of theoretical approaches, which draw on various sciences, psychology, sociology, philosophy and politics. Theory is typically offered as distinct from methods of research; however, together they provide the foundation for policy and practice. The unit provides an analytical framework in order to critically assess the epistemological claims and justifications found in criminological theory. A range of criminological explanations and theories of crime are explored: classicism/neo-classicism; biological and psychological positivism; anomie; strain theory; the Chicago school; labelling theory; feminist criminology; Marxism; critical criminology; new right theory; left realism; and cultural criminology. The course stresses the relevance and application of theory, examining how theory 'works' (or 'fails') in practice.

JSB284 Policing in Context

This unit is concerned with the diverse roles, duties, powers and problems of policing in Australia. These issues are explored through a variety of topics, which include the history and context of policing in Australia and internationally, the powers and duties of police officers, police ethics and oversight, the effectiveness of different policing strategies, and the social challenges of police-community interaction.

JSB286 Domestic and Family Violence

Domestic and family violence involve crimes that are pertinent to virtually all justice professions and contexts from policing to law and justice policy. They are also a central issue in health care and social services, and arise in many other employment contexts. This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to research, issues and professional practice that students will be able to apply in many areas.

JSB287 Crime in Popular Culture

Crime and criminality are ubiquitous in popular culture. Justice studies and criminology are multidisciplinary enterprises with a longstanding interest in cultural and social responses to crime. A critical account of how criminality and justice are represented in popular culture will provide a better understanding of how cultural genres shape mainstream attitudes and responses to crime, including shifting political and policy responses. This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to research and issues in the field that students will be able to apply in many areas of practice, including the analysis of media responses to crime.

JSB367 Intelligence and Security

Intelligence is increasingly taking a leading role in investigations and security procedures, with analysts setting a direction for criminal investigation and security teams. The unit exposes students to the essentials of the criminal intelligence systems, the intelligence process and creative problem-solving skills. Intelligence professionals are also concerned with support to government, the private sector and the community. Criminal intelligence offers an advantage through the provision of accurate and timely advice. Criminal intelligence requires proficiency in thinking strategies and skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, teamwork, and application of intelligence process methodologies in a variety of cultural contexts.

JSB372 Youth Justice

The unit teaches specialised knowledge to students in their final years of study and is imperative for students interested in working in the field of youth justice. It connects broader knowledge about policing and criminal justice with specific issues relevant to young people who become involved in the criminal justice system, with a focus on socially just outcomes for young offenders.

JSB379 Political Practice, People Power, and Protest

There is increasing demand in Australia for graduates with the skills and expertise required to contribute to the policy-making process and delivery of democracy. It is therefore necessary for students who wish to work in the public sector or as part of the political process to understand the role of people power in political decision-making. This unit offers students an insight into global and national social movements, political lobbying, and political participation.

JSB380 Critical Policy Analysis

Critical policy analysis is an essential ability in the justice sector, and policies in this field have significant social consequences.  It is imperative that those employed in areas connected to justice are equipped with the skills to critically interrogate policy evidence, impacts and implications. This unit will draw on important debates in contemporary policy (including Indigenous policy) to explore some important ways policy works - as a practical expression of government intentions, as a mechanism for social inclusion and exclusion, and as an expression of social and political relationships. This unit provides the opportunity for you to draw together the knowledge and skills you have developed in this area, and build on them, in order to hone and practice these capabilities.

JSB386 Death Investigation

The investigation of death is a well-regulated system, orchestrated through the coronial system with identification of suspicious deaths undertaken by the criminal justice system. This death investigation model involves legal, medical and criminal justice personnel to establish both the medical cause and legal circumstance of death. The information gathered in this way is also used to inform government policy, including preventing deaths. In the wake of Harold Shipman in the United Kingdom and Dr Patel in Australia, the issue of concealed homicide has become topical, with questions asked about how the coronial system can better investigate death. Detailed knowledge of death investigation in Australia is crucial for legal and medical professionals as well as criminal justice agency personnel. This unit examines the history, processes, procedures and outcomes of death investigation in Queensland; including overrepresentation, cultural issues, trauma and determining manner of death.

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