Criminal Justice Capstone Project
Overview
The unit provides an opportunity for students to apply academic knowledge to a criminal justice focused industry project. Students will work in teams to address a problems-based project presented by partners from justice sectors or other sectors where their knowledge might find application. Teams will work under the guidance of a coach with targeted inputs from the project partner. In the final weeks, teams will deliver their findings and recommendations through an oral presentation and a written report. The unit develops and enhances employability skills for students.
Requisites
Rule
175 Credit Points
AND
LAW20032 Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Systematically review, critically evaluate, and apply research from a variety of academic and primary sources
- Generate and evaluate creative solutions to complex criminal justice issues and problems
- Interpret and communicate ideas, problems, and arguments in creative ways suitable to a range of audiences
- Work collaboratively in groups
- Reflect on personal challenges, growth, excellence and areas of future extension
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,3 |
| Presentation and Report | Group | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Reflective Essay | Individual | 20 - 30% | 3,5 |
Content
- Applying criminal justice discipline knowledge to a real-world context
- Principles, overviews and discipline issues that relate to the project context
- Interpreting and responding to project briefs
- Team dynamics and organisation
- Communications issues and stakeholder expectations
- Research methods
- Critical and reflective practices
- Documenting project developments and recommendations
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.