Assessment item 3
Major Essay
Value: 40%
Due date: 21-May-2012
Return date: 11-Jun-2012
Length: 2,500 words
Submission method options
EASTS (online)
Post (option applies to DE & Offshore/Dubbo Tutorial only)
Task
Visit, view and explore the
following web resource:http://www.directgov.coionline.tv/judgeforyourself/
Choose ONE of the virtual
offenders (Alan Collinson, Dave McGrath, Rachel Morgan, or Trevor Felton) and
work through the case from beginning to ‘end’.
Complete the following tasks:
1.Briefly summarise the sentence
that you chose for the virtual offender and why you chose this. That
is, discuss the philosophical (or theoretical)
justificationfor this sentence (or aspects thereof). [estimated
max. 300 words]
2. Do the same in relation to the
sentence given by the Judge or Magistrate in the on-line
scenario. [estimated max. 300 words]
3.Apply the arguments presented
by Kemshall (Reading 10), Hannah-Moffat (Reading 11), and Worrall and Hoy
(textbook) in order to critique the risk assessmentaspect
of the on-line scenario. [estimated max. 1,000 words]
4. Critically reflect upon the
effects of gender and diversity (or ‘race’) in relation to the criminal
justice / correctional response to your selected case, including
the questions that are available to you to ‘ask’ the virtual offender, the
sentencing options available, the ‘advice’ commentary, and so
on. As emphasised in the Study Guide, this will mean focusing on,
identifying and critiquing the implicit social and cultural meanings
and assumptions. [estimated max. 1,000 words]
Rationale
- to provide opportunity to
demonstrate an understanding of concepts, principles and issues covered in
Units 1 – 10; - to review key concepts and facilitate
understanding of these through application to a ‘real’ case and
contemporary issues; - to test your ability to think
critically and use theory and ideas to form a coherent line of argument;
and - to practice, develop and test
your ability to analyse and explore complex issues in a clear and coherent
written form.
Marking criteria
- Demonstrated understanding of
relevant literature, theory and issues including identification and
application of key concepts. - Appropriate use of essential
reading materials (prescribed text and other set / essential readings), as
demonstrated through content, citations and referencing. - Evidence of critical and
independent thought (using own words, critiquing and analysing rather than
describing/summarising, etc). - Accurate referencing,using
APA (6th edn.) style of referencing, including consistent
acknowledgement of source material (both ideas and words). - Quality of overall presentation
(legibility, structure/organisation of material, clarity of written
expression, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc).
Higher marks may be awarded
for appropriate use of wider reading/research, that is, in addition to the
essential reading materials.
