School of Justice Majors

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In 2002 the Justice Studies Professional Minors structure was revamped and is now the Professional Majors program. Students studying undergraduate degrees in Justice Studies select one major from the following:

• Critical Criminology
• Investigations & Policing
• Justice Policy

Critical Criminology

Critical criminology is distinguished by its critical focus on crime and crime control in the context of existing socio-political and economic arrangements, as well as by a perspective cognisant of governmental practice, particularly in respect to certain ‘problem populations’. Critical criminology views the State as exerting particular forms of control over the definition of crime. It is critical of positivist, behaviourist and labelling practices within the criminal justice system, and seeks to advance the voice of the politically disempowered in the justice process. Given that all the units in this major embrace these perspectives it would seem appropriate to name the new major ‘Critical Criminology’ rather than ‘Criminology’. This change is also justified on the grounds that it will distinguish the School of Justice Studies more easily from more ‘mainstream’ criminological courses taught elsewhere.

The Units available within this major are:

• JSB231 Understanding Criminology
• JSB232 Youth Justice
• JSB233 Crime & Community Corrections
• JSB331 Prisons as Industry
• JSB332 Crime Control & Governance
• JSB333 Responding to Crime

Relevance: Public Sector; Policy Departments; Research Departments; Law Enforcement Agencies; Private Security; Family Services; Youth Services; Crime Prevention; Retail Companies.

Investigations and Policing

This major examines aspects of investigation and policing within the context of the aims of the School while retaining many of the practical characteristics of the pre-existing minor. The major introduces students intending to work in investigations, intelligence or policing to the relevant issues of social justice and equity and examines the interrelationship between the police service, the government and other agencies both public and non-government.

The Units available within this major are:

• JSB241 Introduction to Investigations & Policing
• JSB242 Criminal Law in Context
• JSB243 Intelligence Led Investigations
• JSB341 Investigations, Evidence & Police Powers
• JSB342 Organised Crime
• JSB343 Future Policing Strategies

Relevance: Police; Transport Police; Investigative Agencies; Insurance and Banking; Military; State and Federal Government Departments and Agencies; Private Security Agencies; Brisbane City Council; National Parks and Wildlife;

Justice Policy

While recognising that the modern State is highly fragmented, the central concern of this major is the rights and responsibilities of the modern State vis-à-vis its citizens. Theories of power and democracy are explored through attention to the interaction and impact of the State and citizen upon each other. This duality and interdependence of State and citizen in modern democracies provides the key theoretical base to this major. International principles, developments and concerns enhance this theoretical framework. While much of this comes from an Anglo-European base, this major seeks also to illuminate theories of power and democracy that may more specifically pertain to the Asia-Pacific region. Through this theoretical base, students undertaking this major will understand specific legal, governmental and community activity. The purpose of this major is to provide graduates with knowledge and skills that will enable them to contribute to public and community sector work, particularly in the area of policy development and evaluation.

This major will examine the interaction and interdependence of law, justice and public policy by exploring public policy decision-making practices and theories. The legal rights and responsibilities of State and citizen are explored in the unit Citizenship and Justice. The operation of administrative law and other administrative mechanisms are considered in Administrative Justice, which is informed by theories of democracy, participation and accountability. International human rights standards and issues and their impact and influence in Australia are examined in Global Justice. The rights and concerns of Australia’s Indigenous citizens and communities as well as ethnic and minority rights are explored in Indigenous Justice. The powers and role of administrative and other governmental agencies in relation to investigation are considered in another new unit.

The Units available within this major are:

• JSB251 Policy, Governance & Justice
• JSB252 Citizenship & Justice
• JSB253 Watchdogs: Warriors, Wimps & Witch-hunts
• JSB351 Administrative Justice
• JSB352 Indigenous Justice (avail from 2003)
• JSB353 Global Justice

Relevance: Public Sector; Managers/Administrators; Community Services; Family Services; Government Agencies; Social Security; Police; Private Security Agencies, Attorney General’s Department; Court Administration.