Single-unit study
You can study individual units for personal or professional development without having to apply for a full QUT course.
If you successfully complete a unit, you may be eligible for credit if you decide to apply for a degree course in the future.
Units anyone can study
These units don’t have any requirements for previous study or background knowledge.
But if your previous studies were not in English, or were completed in a country where English is not the first language, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English proficiency requirements when you apply.
Justice
Justice
JSB155 Crime, Media and Politics
Crime and the media have long shared a complex and interwoven relationship. The media, in all of its forms, has played an influential role in the way crime has been portrayed, perceived, perpetrated, and prevented. Therefore, all justice professionals need to have both a grounded and critical understanding of this complex relationship, granting them an ability to work effectively with and alongside media in their justice profession. The unit explores both traditional and contemporary media, such as digital and social and evaluates among other areas, how the different media shapes public understandings of crime and criminality and how this portrayal influences criminal justice policy and practice.
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.
JSB169 Justice Sectors: Foundations and Futures
This unit explores how justice is practiced in various sectors. It aims to facilitate the contextualisation of critical justice in practice by guiding students through key topics and practical scenarios relevant to key justice sectors, including criminology, violence prevention, policy, politics, intelligence and investigations.The unit explores the careers of critical justice professionals working in these fields, shedding light on the roles, responsibilities, and challenges they face. By taking a practice-based approach, the unit aims to help students understand the real-world impacts and challenges confronting justice practitioners in these diverse sectors.
JSB171 Understanding Justice and Inequality
An understanding and appreciation of justice and injustice across Australian society, including within its social, political, and legal institutions, is a key competency for competent justice professionals. This unit provides the necessary foundational sociological and criminological knowledge to understand justice in a social context, how inequality in Australia is produced, and the intersections between social, criminal, and legal justice. Such an understanding is essential to ensure that justice professionals act in socially just and ethical ways and are equipped to engage with justice issues in the real world.
JSB172 Professional Communication in Justice: Strategies for Success
This unit equips justice professionals with essential strategies for clear, accurate communication in reporting, seeking help, raising awareness and implementing change within the justice sector. Unclear communication in the justice sector can have significant impacts on people such as wrongful convictions, retraumatisation and ineffective policy. The unit covers academic writing, finding and acknowledging scholarly sources, synthesising literature, facilitating discussions, and delivering professional verbal presentations to engage audiences. It addresses the strategic use of GenAI in communication to ensure you can maintain the integrity of your work. Mastering these skills ensures justice professionals can navigate complex scenarios, and contribute to informed decisions, highlighting the critical role of clear, accurate and professional communication in achieving justice outcomes.
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.
JSB180 Deviance and Social Justice
The study of deviance delves into key elements of criminology and justice studies, including the creation and violation of laws, the scrutiny of issues related to marginalised social groups and activities, and other significant social justice matters. Drawing on a range of real-world problem-solving approaches, this unit encourages you to critically evaluate “deviance” (often manifesting as a societal issue or contested behaviour), questioning why certain activities and social groups are deemed deviant while others are not in different historical and cultural settings. The unit investigates social and legal responses for managing and regulating deviance and addresses crucial associated issues in social justice, such as gender equality and racial discrimination.
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.
JSB228 101101: When Crime Goes Digital
Technology is becoming increasingly used within society and is an important domain of knowledge and skills for justice professionals. This unit provides you with a grounding in how technology may be used to perpetrate crime and respond to crime problems. You will learn about different types of crime that may be perpetrated using technology, such as cybercrime, image-based abuse, and technology facilitated coercive control. You will also learn how technologies may be used in modern policing practices, including the use of body worn cameras, apps and other technologies. This unit equips you with the skills to keep up-to-date technology's impact on crime and its evolving use in crime prevention.
JSB238 Explaining and Preventing Crime
Delve into key criminological paradigms, explore theories developed over centuries, and examine crime prevention strategies. This unit will equip you with the ability to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of these theories and strategies, and their relevance in today’s world. You’ll gain insights into the role of media in shaping our understanding of crime and its prevention. Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity to critique the western canon that dominates criminological theories through the lens of post-colonial and southern criminological perspectives. This unit is not just about learning theories; it’s about understanding the relationship between how we perceive crime and how we believe it can be solved. It’s an essential stepping stone for those aspiring to become justice professionals, providing you with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference in our society.
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.
JSB269 Effective Policy Making for Social Justice
This unit emphasises the significance of the policy cycle in government for creating policies that support equitable and robust institutions. It highlights the importance of policy officers understanding the government’s processes and systems for policy development. This understanding ensures that policies reflect the principles of equality, justice, and strong institutions. The unit also underscores the need for innovative solutions when analysing policy issues and the importance of public sector ethics. It stresses the role of policy officers in building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of clear communication, both written and verbal, when briefing politicians and senior bureaucrats on policies. Overall, this unit equips policy officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to policy development and implementation.
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.
JSB338 Action and Advocacy for Child Protection
This unit equips you with essential skills for child protection advocacy and awareness. Understanding child protection practice is crucial for justice professionals in violence prevention and criminology. It enables you to identify harm and intervene in cases of maltreatment, ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Knowledge of child protection systems, and trauma-informed and culturally competent practices enhances your ability to support vulnerable families and contribute to a safer society. You will practice interviewing parents, conducting risk assessments, and creating case plans. This unit provides the foundation needed to make a meaningful impact in these fields.
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.
JSB382 Reform and the Justice System
This unit delves into the heart of Australia’s justice system, examining contemporary challenges and injustices. You will explore critical areas such as immigration, welfare, and criminal justice, and learn to identify and prevent injustices. The course provides a deep understanding of restorative justice theories and their practical applications, and addresses crucial issues of gender and race. You’ll gain the necessary skills to identify the sources of injustice and bring about meaningful, impactful reform. This unit will empower you to make a difference in policy and politics.
JSB383 Embracing Diversity in Investigative Practice
This unit underscores the importance of cultural competence in investigative practice. It emphasises that investigators, to be effective, must understand and respect the diversity and vulnerability of the people they work with. This allows them to gather evidence more effectively, navigate the unique challenges diverse communities face, and engage more empathetically during investigations. The unit also highlights the importance of establishing strong networks within these communities and understanding their specific needs. This aids in conducting interviews and providing necessary support to victims and impacted communities. The unit also stresses the importance of promoting equality, justice, and strong institutions in investigative practices. It recognises that cultural competence is not a one-time achievement but requires ongoing development. This unit equips you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and ethically within diverse and vulnerable communities.
JSB384 Converging Disciplines: Intelligence and Investigations
Understanding intelligence operations is crucial for justice professionals in the fields of intelligence and investigations. This unit equips you with the skills to effectively gather, analyse, and utilise information, ensuring informed and strategic decision-making. 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 you need background knowledge to study
These units have requirements for previous study or background knowledge. Check the unit’s previous study requirements for details. If you have any questions, contact the unit coordinator for the semester you want to study.
If your previous studies were not in English, or were completed in a country where English is not the first language, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English proficiency requirements when you apply.
Justice
Justice
JSB225 Forensic Criminology
Criminology becomes forensic criminology when research and theories are used to answer specific questions for investigations, court, or corrections. Forensic criminology uses the scientific method to apply traditional criminological knowledge to issues arising in specific cases. In this unit, students will be introduced to the application of criminology to case work, including the overarching principles, ethics and ethos of forensic best-practice. Students will learn about how forensic criminology is used in: investigating criminal behaviour and deaths; complementing the forensic sciences; understanding victims and miscarriages of justice; predicting risk; and preventing revictimization and recidivism.
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.
JSB235 Investigations Uncovered
This unit equips you with the fundamental skills needed to plan an investigation, collect evidence, identify witnesses and suspects, and draft a professional report summarising the investigation’s findings among other key investigative skills. Professionals in the justice field often interact with clients and others, gathering information as part of their routine duties. Their roles might also necessitate them to carry out complex investigations and compile a report detailing their findings. The expertise needed to conduct a thorough and ethical investigation is quite specialised and could lead to the investigator testifying in court. Moreover, the range of potential investigations are extensive. While many might link investigations to alleged violations of criminal laws, they can also pertain to non-adherence to workplace policies such as health and safety incidents or negative workplace behaviour.
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.
JSB263 Australia's Political System: Challenges and Opportunities
Understanding the Australian political system is essential for anyone aspiring to work in or engage with the public sector and political arenas. This study provides insights into the structure and functioning of key political institutions, shedding light on how decisions are made and implemented. Students will explore the historical evolution of the system, gaining perspective on how past changes shape current governance. The course encourages critical analysis and discussion, enabling students to form informed opinions and critiques of the system. By examining the intricacies of Australian politics, students will be better equipped to navigate and influence the political landscape.
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.
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.
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. Importantly, the unit equips you with the ability to respond effectively to policy officer selection criteria, preparing you for future job applications. This unit is your stepping stone to a rewarding career in government.
JSB399 Justice Industry Project
This capstone Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit will provide the opportunity to work on a real-world problem identified by an industry partner. You will analyse the issue and make recommendations to the industry partner to address the problem and build your understanding of professional practice. You will have opportunities to interact with representatives of the justice professions to build your professional networks, career aspirations and preparedness for the workforce. The unit is designed to assist you to transition from student to justice professional. Industry partners will be involved in identifying the real-world problems for assessments.