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 study

Choose from the undergraduate or postgraduate options on offer across a range of disciplines. As long as you meet the prerequisites, you can choose subjects from any of our discipline areas to suit your interests.

Most units have a lecture and a tutorial each week. Lectures and tutorials for postgraduate units are usually held in the evenings.

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

JSB156 In Cold Blood: Case Studies in True Crime

True crime is one of the most significant cultural genres of the twenty-first century and a key conduit for people to access information pertaining to crime events, victims and associated criminal justice processes. Moreover, the category has now evolved to a point where audience members can play active roles in uncovering and investigating crimes, and bringing about social and political change. It is therefore crucial to understand how true crime narratives develop and to question how they might potentially educate, entertain, confuse, or even deceive audiences. You will examine a range of true crime texts (films, television series, books and podcasts) involving a range of offence-types, engage critically with the legal, ethical and political aspects of each text and evaluate the relationship between true crime and social justice. The unit will support you to hone vital real-world skills in critical thinking, cultural analysis, criminal investigations and ethical practice.

JSB173 Understanding the Criminal Justice System

Justice professionals require a thorough foundational understanding of how Australia’s criminal justice system operates and how people progress through this system. This unit provides a critical overview of the Australian criminal justice system through examinations of the core institutions of police, courts and corrections in addition to examinations of key processes like sentencing, bail, diversion, restorative justice, therapeutic jurisprudence and parole. This unit focuses on developing a foundational understanding of the components, aims and principles of these institutions and processes. It also focuses on developing a wide range of research skills to examine whether the aims and principles of these institutions and processes are reflected in their outcomes and operations.  

JSB174 Forensic Psychology and the Justice System

Forensic Psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of psychology globally. Psychologists are now involved significantly in all stages of the criminal justice system. The term 'forensic' literally means 'of or used in law courts' (Australian Oxford Paperback Dictionary). The phrase 'psychology and the justice system', however, is now used more generally to describe the different ways in which psychology and law intersect - namely psychology in the law (assessing clinical issues), psychology and the law (researching experimental and policy issues), and psychology of the law (examining legal processes and policy analysis). By its very nature the study of psychology and the justice system draws from a multidisciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will need a broad appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) what the study of psychology involves.

JSB181 Interrogating Justice Problems

Justice professionals need to be able to interrogate problems in order to develop evidence-based solutions for preventing crime and addressing injustice. This unit is designed to provide you 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. This includes developing proficiencies in conducting culturally safe and ethically responsible research.

JSB226 Professional Misconduct and Abuse: Identification and Response

Criminology often focusses on what is called ‘street crime’. However, a whole new area is finally being investigated: institutional and professional crime. This will be the focus for this unit. Professional misconduct (PM)/Professional sexual misconduct (PSM) encompasses power-based abuses and crimes within professional institutions and workplaces. Structural conditions enable institutionalised abuse and often prevent reporting and remedial action. Professional misconduct exists in various forms such as financial, legal, promotional, journalistic, sexual, religious, and medical. Accordingly, perpetrators may be found across powerful institutions and workplaces: sports trainers, lawyers, movie producers, therapists, journalists, clergy, professors, or government ministers.  In this unit you will learn to identify when and how misconduct and abuse occur, how perpetrators and institutions react when exposed, and methods for prevention and improved responses.

JSB239 Youth Crime: Causes and Prevention

This unit equips you with specialised knowledge on youth crime, its causes, and prevention, essential for those pursuing careers in youth justice. It bridges broader concepts of policing and criminal justice with specific issues faced by young people in the criminal justice system, emphasising socially just outcomes. Understanding youth crime and crime prevention is crucial for justice professionals as it enables them to address the root causes of youth offending, advocate for fair treatment, and implement effective interventions. The course fosters high-level critical thinking skills, enabling you to analyse youth crime issues from multiple perspectives, and supporting justice for offenders, victims, and communities.

JSB250 Political Practice, People Power, and Protest

This course will provide students with a well-rounded understanding of political participation. It will equip those interested in working in policy or political arenas with the skills to comprehend various forms of citizen engagement, both within the formal political process, such as policy-making, and the informal political process, through protest and activism. By examining case studies and different approaches to political engagement, students will learn about political communication and the strategies employed by citizens, politicians, and public servants to shape policy and political outcomes.

JSB307 Professional Placement in First Nations Justice Sectors

This unit offers Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the form of a professional placement in which you undertake a placement at a relevant First Nations justice-focused organisation or take part in the QUT-Cherbourg Project. In order to operate effectively in the workplace, you will need to be able to connect and apply the knowledge and theory you have gained from the other units in the degree to the practice of the profession. This unit supports you to develop these skills in a First Nations justice context.

JSB339 Understanding Trauma in Criminology

This unit 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 and other vulnerable communities. This unit will help to prepare you for careers working in criminal justice agencies and policy development in criminal justice related fields.

JSB384 Converging Disciplines: Intelligence and Investigations

Understanding intelligence operations is crucial for justice professionals in the fields of intelligence and investigations. This unit will help you apply your knowledge of the intelligence process to investigative practice, further equipping you with the skills to effectively gather, analyse, and utilise information. Collaboration with multiple agencies is emphasised, as it enhances the ability to address complex issues by leveraging diverse perspectives and resources. You will learn to negotiate and collaborate with stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive and secure intelligence operations. The unit also focuses on maintaining data integrity and operational security, which are essential for protecting sensitive information. This unit lays the groundwork for professionals to navigate the complexities of multi-agency problem-solving and to reflect on their professional conduct, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

JSB398 First Nations (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

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 issues in criminal prosecution. 

JSB261 Government and Democracy

In this unit you will explore how governments - democratic and authoritarian – exercise their power and function both within the Australian and international contexts. We will examine the history of the theoretical ideas concerning the operation of democratic institutions and their grounding in the ideas of authority, legitimacy, and freedom. This unit will provide you with the necessary skills to understand how governments work, and how to critically evaluate and understand factors that impact on their operation. This is essential knowledge for anyone working in policy or politics.

JSB279 Criminal Network Analysis

Unearth the hidden structures of society with our course on Social Network Analysis. This unit equips you with the skills to map and analyse the intricate web of relationships that form the backbone of society. Our focus is on ‘Dark Networks’, the clandestine networks that operate beneath the surface, including corruption rings, organised crime groups, and terrorist cells. These networks amass ‘criminal capital’, the connections to resources and skills that enable illicit activities. You’ll learn to map these networks, understand their workings, and use this knowledge in intelligence roles. For aspiring justice professionals, this unit underscores the importance of criminal network analysis in crime-solving. It’s not just about understanding crime, it’s about understanding the networked nature of crime. This unit is a stepping stone in your journey to becoming an intelligence professional.

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.

JSB290 Victimology

This unit builds on your understanding of criminology by introducing you to the closely aligned discipline of victimology. This unit centres the perspectives of victims and provides opportunity to build a more comprehensive understanding of criminal justice, political perspectives, and working with vulnerable people. The unit will provide you with opportunities to build, practice and provide evidence of your analysis and problem-solving skills in relation to the role, needs, and rights of victims of harm.

JSB380 Policy Planning: From Concept to Decision

This unit offers a journey into the world of policy officers in government. It provides an immersive experience where you’ll step into the shoes of a policy officer, working collaboratively to navigate the policy cycle. You will plan for ways to engage with diverse communities, including First Nations, and manage projects effectively. The unit hones your skills in stakeholder engagement and policy negotiation, and guides you through the process of scoping the policy background. Reflecting on professional roles and experiences will further enhance your understanding. This unit is your stepping stone to a rewarding career in government.

Enrolment restrictions

Postgraduate students can't enrol in:

  • first-year undergraduate core units
  • postgraduate honours-level units, which change from year to year.

Enrolment in capstone units is generally not allowed, as these units require extended knowledge gained throughout the course of a full degree.

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