CQUniversity Unit Profile

CRIM13004 Criminology Work Placement Capstone

Criminology Work Placement Capstone

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All details in this unit profile for CRIM13004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.

General Information

Overview

This work placement capstone unit enables you to apply the theories, content knowledge and skills you have learned to a workplace environment. Your work will involve finding solutions to a problem in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity. This practical experience will involve 50 hours of workplace experience which may be accrued intensively or distributed throughout the term. The university will assist in finding suitable workplace arrangements. You will be required to log this time and have this certified by your workplace mentor. You will be required to keep a digital portfolio of your workplace experiences and reflect on what this means for professional practice while setting a professional development agenda. During your practical experience you will complete a workplace project, under the supervision of your workplace mentor and our unit coordinator, supported by online resources and advice. The deliverables from this project will be submitted for assessment and will form part of your professional portfolio.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate

Unit Level: Level 3

Credit Points: 6

Student Contribution Band: 10

Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Enrolment in CL55 or CL75 and 72 cp of completed units.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2023

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Website

This unit has a website, within the Moodle system, which is available two weeks before the start of term. It is important that you visit your Moodle site throughout the term. Please visit Moodle for more information.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Regional Campuses

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville

Metropolitan Campuses

Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio

Weighting: 30%

2. Workplace Project

Weighting: 70%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

CQUniversity Policies

All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

You may wish to view these policies:

Grades and Results Policy

Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)

Review of Grade Procedure

Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure

Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students

Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students

Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure

Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure

Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure

This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Email, workshops

Feedback

Provide alternative options if placement providers withdraw during the term.

Recommendation

We will develop a simulated workplace as an alternative option for students who cannot reach a placement or who lose it during the term.

Feedback from Consultations

Feedback

Students appreciated personalised help with developing their professional portfolios

Recommendation

This will be retained as a part of this unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Apply skills and knowledge developed in the course to criminology practice in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity
Evaluate and report work placement experience and assess personal and professional growth, strengths and weaknesses in intellectual development, social development and professional development
Reflect upon and describe the careers, roles, relationships, responsibilities and activities of people engaged in the practice of criminology in the workplace
Reflect upon, evaluate and report enhanced knowledge of criminology gained as a result of participation in work placement and the nature of the environment that supported such learning.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes

N/A Level

Introductory Level

Intermediate Level

Graduate Level

Professional Level

Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks	Learning Outcomes
	1	2	3	4
1 - Portfolio - 30%
2 - Workplace Project - 70%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes	Learning Outcomes
	1	2	3	4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks	Graduate Attributes
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
1 - Portfolio - 30%
2 - Workplace Project - 70%

Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:

CQUniversity Student Email
Internet
Unit Website (Moodle)

Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts

Howes, L. M., & Goodman-Delahunty, J. (2015). Career decisions by Australian police officers: a cross-section of perspectives on entering, staying in and leaving policing careers. Police Practice & Research, 16(6), 453–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2014.951936

Rhineberger-Dunn, G., & Mack, K. Y. (2020). Predicting Burnout Among Juvenile Detention and Juvenile Probation Officers. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 31(3), 335–355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403419831352

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Module/Topic

Skill set 1: Professional integrity, boundaries and ethical dilemmas.

Chapter

Maintaining professional and personal boundaries (n.d). Relationships Australia Victoria. https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/media/g10lkvqa/maintaining-professional-boundaries-tip-sheet-21079-web.pdf

Social Media: Crossing the Lines of Professional Boundaries? (2022). The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 36(4), 337–339. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPN.0000000000000687

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Skill set 2: Team work and interpersonal skills for the modern workplace

Chapter

Cooks-Campbell, A (2022). Why communication is key in the workplace. Better Up. https://www.betterup.com/blog/why-communication-is-key-to-workplace-and-how-to-improve-skills

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Skill set 3 - Client facing work: Communicating effectively with diverse clients

Chapter

Ginicola, M. M., Smith, C., & Filmore, J. M. (2017). Developing Competence in Working With LGBTQI+ Communities: Awareness, Knowledge, Skills, and Action. In Affirmative Counseling With LGBTQI+ People (pp. 1–20). American Counseling Association. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119375517.ch1

Cortoni, F., Beech, A. R., & Craig, L. A. (2017). Sexual Offenders. In Assessments in Forensic Practice (pp. 52–75). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118314531.ch4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Placement presentation and reflection Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

All students enrolled in the unit must undertake 50-hours of placement on-site, online or a combination. Placements must be organised by the unit coordinator and cannot commence until a signed placement agreement is lodged with the university. Placements should be organised by week 3 of semester. If you do not have a placement organised by this time you are strongly encouraged to transfer to the Research capstone unit before the census date.

Placement is undertaken in addition to coursework and associated assessments.

Due to the requirement to undertake placement, three seminars will be held in weeks 1, 6 and 11 of semester, instead of weekly tutorials. These will run for 2.5 hours each.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title

Career portfolio

Task Description

Identify five appropriate criminal justice roles (current job advertisements) that you could apply for. Download and paste the full position description for each job into a single word document (not the hyperlink as this may expire).

Explain in 100 words per role why it is suitable given your skill set, knowledge, experience and career ambitions (500 words total).

Select one position you have identified. In response to the job ad, write a:

Cover letter (300 words)
CV/resume (150 words)
Response to two of the Key Selection Criteria using the STAR technique (250 words x 2 = 500 words total)

Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Submit via the drop box on Moodle. Multiple files may be uploaded.

Return Date to Students

Returning within two weeks of timely submission.

Weighting

30%

Assessment Criteria

1. Appropriateness of chosen jobs

2. Quality of CV and cover letter - layout/format/presentation/language

3. Quality of KSC responses (adherence to and use of STAR technique)

Referencing Style

American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

Submission

Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Apply skills and knowledge developed in the course to criminology practice in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity
Evaluate and report work placement experience and assess personal and professional growth, strengths and weaknesses in intellectual development, social development and professional development
Reflect upon and describe the careers, roles, relationships, responsibilities and activities of people engaged in the practice of criminology in the workplace

Graduate Attributes

Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Team Work
Cross Cultural Competence
Ethical practice

2 Workplace Project

Assessment Title

Placement presentation and reflection

Task Description

PART 1: PRESENTATION (/15)

Prepare a 5-minute narrated presentation documenting your placement experience (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi).

The presentation should provide:

Overview and background of the agency/organisation/team you were placed in.
An overview of your contribution and achievements during the placement.
The outcome of your placement work for the organisation/team.

PART 2: PLACEMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (/25)

At the end of your placement a meeting will be held between the placement unit coordinator, agency supervisor and yourself to appraise your performance during placement. This is a constructive discussion focused on providing critical feedback to highlight your strengths and areas for further improvement. Your performance on placement will be rated on a scale (see Moodle), which will form part of your mark for this element of the assessment. The remainder of marks are attributed to your ability to respond to this feedback professionally during the meeting (see criteria on Moodle) and to document the meeting using minutes (to be submitted via Moodle).

PART 3: REFLECTION (/30)

Using the reflection journal provided to you on Moodle, document your experience on placement and in the unit by responding to the prompts provided across the 10 weeks of the journal. Each weekly entry has a reflection question which you should respond to in at least 200 words (2000 words total). Provide citations and sources underneath your response where requested using APA format. You will be assessed on the extent and depth of your personal reflection and ability to identify appropriate sources and strategies for professional development.

Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Submit all three files via the Moodle drop box

Return Date to Students

Within 2 weeks of timely submission

Weighting

70%

Assessment Criteria

1. Quality of narrated presentation (understanding of organization/agency + ability to explain placement work and impact)

2. Placement performance meeting (combined mark derived from performance rating + meeting attendance and conduct + meeting minutes)

3. Reflection (quality, extent and depth of reflection + ability to identify appropriate sources of professional development)

Referencing Style

American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

Submission

Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Apply skills and knowledge developed in the course to criminology practice in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity
Reflect upon, evaluate and report enhanced knowledge of criminology gained as a result of participation in work placement and the nature of the environment that supported such learning.

Graduate Attributes

Communication
Problem Solving
Information Literacy
Social Innovation

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.