POLICE, SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY

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Overview

This subject discusses the history, institutional configuration, role and performance of police in Australia's democratic political context, and offers points of comparisons to other countries (democratic or else) around the world. 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; police culture; the links between police and community; contemporary challenges of policing (including transnational policing),among other relevant aspects of police and policing. After completing this course, students should be able to understand fundamental facts about police and policing, and critically evaluate the police's role in Australia and beyond.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Subject coordinator

Raul Sanchez-Urribarri

Subject type

Undergraduate

Year level

Year Level 2 - UG

AQF level

Level 6 - Advanced Diploma

Available as elective

Yes

Available to study abroad / exchange students

Yes

Capstone subject
Capstones provide students with a way of integrating and applying knowledge and skills gained throughout their course.

Academic progress review - Schedule A subject

Subject instances

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Career ready

Work based learning (placement):No

Graduate capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Subject intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Be familiar with the key theoretical underpinnings of police and policing, plus a survey of the current institutional framework in Victoria

Discuss the contemporary challenges of policing in Australia and beyond

Understand and analyse the importance of police culture in police-society relations

Critique police reform efforts in Victoria, Australia and internationally

Know the history of the police, with an emphasis on Victoria and other law enforcement agencies in Australia

Learning activities

Follow up, write and share with class a co-authored project focused on a specific challenge of policing, following the guidelines provided in class. On-line teaching clips and activities / develop co-authored project focused on a specific challenge of policing.

Enrolment rules

Special conditions

Requisite 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

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