Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Description 
This course will provide you with a broad understanding of the criminal justice system, its institutions, processes, and policies. The course aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of how the system operates, including how criminal offenses are defined, how law enforcement agencies investigate and prevent crime, and how courts and correctional facilities deal with those who have been convicted of crimes. The course also aims to explore the unique historical, cultural, and social factors that shape the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand, such as the country's colonial past, the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the impact of contemporary social issues on the justice system. Through this course, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how it can be improved to better serve the needs of the community. We have structured this course into seven modules that will be taught in the following 9 weeks. These modules will be woven together to introduce the broad field of Criminal Justice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate the impact of criminal justice policies and practices that have led to the overrepresentation of Māori and Pasifika in the criminal justice system.
   
2. Critically analyse crime and criminal behaviour, including the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to criminal activity. 
3. Recognise the role of criminological theory in the context of criminal justice.
4. Develop effective communication and problem-solving skills in the context of criminal justice, including the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner, and to analyse and solve complex problems. 

Description 
Legal method in the criminal law context provides an introduction to understanding legal concepts, the sources of law, and the structure of the criminal justice system in New Zealand. Students will be introduced to important concepts and definitions and to the techniques of legal reasoning, case analysis and statutory interpretation through an examination of criminal cases and laws. They will also be introduced to the impact Tikanga and customary law has on understanding legal method in New Zealand. Students who study this course will be well equipped to understand legal method from a New Zealand criminal law perspective. 

Description 
Legal Issues in the New Zealand criminal justice system will introduce students to current and emerging issues in the criminal justice system. It will begin by providing an overview of the complex legal rules which regulate the investigation and prosecution and punishment of criminal offences and offenders. Case studies and contemporary law reform initiatives will be used to provide perspectives on the working of these legal rules as practice, and as tools to discuss the process in which the law might be changed. Students who study this course will be well equipped to understand the nature of the New Zealand criminal justice system. 

Description 
Psychology is a diverse and thriving science devoted to understanding behaviour and the human mind. In PSYC105 you will receive an introduction to the following areas: positive psychology; wellbeing; visual perception; research methods; learning and behaviour change; forensic psychology; neuropsychology; drugs and behaviour; memory and cognition; and health psychology.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define some of the key terms in the study of brain, behaviour, & cognition.
   
2. Explain why people might behave the way they do, and the mental processes that give rise to their behaviour.
   
3. Practice some of the research techniques that are used to gain scientific knowledge in psychology.
   
4. Demonstrate the ability to read original journal articles and interpret research writing in psychology.
   
5. Demonstrate elementary abilities in handling quantitative data in psychology.
   
6. Demonstrate abilities to write clearly about research procedures and data in a research report.

Description 
Psychology is a diverse and thriving science devoted to understanding behaviour and the human mind. In PSYC106 you will receive an introduction to five major domains: personality, abnormal, social, developmental, and organisational psychology. You will also learn about the different research methods used in each of these domains. 

Learning outcomes 

1. Describe foundational concepts and principles in social, developmental, and applied psychology.
2. Explain and illustrate key psychological theories that account for the influence of social, cultural, and developmental contexts on human behaviour, cognition and mental health.
3. Describe common research methods used in social, developmental and applied psychology, including their strengths and limitations.
4. Interpret research findings from psychological studies in the fields of social, developmental and applied psychology.
5. Apply basic quantitative techniques to psychological datasets, to analyse and interpret psychological data relevant to social, developmental and applied psychology.
6. Describe how cultural context, including te ao Māori context, shapes understanding of interpersonal behaviour, development and wellbeing.

Description 
The course introduces students to the diverse realities of 'youth' with a focus on multiple contexts. Students explore the concept of youth and the cultural, historical, political and economic contexts in which young people live and the decisions that they make. We critically consider the issues that place young people outside the margins of dominant society, and the responses, models and theoretical frameworks used in youth studies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Competent digital literacy and capacity to undertake literature searches, and assess the relevance of literature to topics/issues under consideration.
   
2. The ability to consider the relevance of issues of ethnicity, class, and gender in the analysis of social change processes for youth.
   
3. An understanding and knowledge of bi-cultural and cultural diversity.
   
4. Capacity to engage in discussions and debates wherein they convey a beginning ability to think reflexively or develop theoretical questions from data and literature.

Description 
This course will introduce students to the issue of violence in society and its impact on communities. The course will introduce the concept of structural violence and explore the links between interpersonal violence and structural violence. Key topics include economic violence, colonial violence, cultural violence, gendered violence, political violence and family violence.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine the social, economic, and political implications of violence on New Zealand society, and globally.
2. Explore invisible forms of violence (slow violence) emanating from dominant social, political and economic structures.
3. Introduce the area of gendered violence.
4. Consider inter-species violence and oppression.
5. Consider formal and informal social responses to violence.

Description 
How we should live our lives is the most important question of all. What makes our actions right or wrong? Is it our culture, our emotions, facts about the world, or God's commands? Are pleasure and happiness all that really matters? What should we do when justice and freedom conflict with happiness or with each other? Should we always obey the law? Is taxation legalised theft? This course introduces students to moral and political philosophy by examining ideas and arguments about how we should live our personal, social and political lives.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the reasons people have for some moral and political views.
2. Describe some of the central problems of moral and political philosophy and proposed answers to these problems.  
3. Develop research-based arguments about moral and political philosophy.

Description
Learn about significant historical events and issues that have had a profound impact on the social, political, and cultural fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand. This course will support you in developing a deeper understanding and awareness of our past, and enable you to use this to appreciate the different perspectives, complexities and sensitivities within the justice sector. In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed between Māori and the British Crown. This document and its signing saw dramatic changes in the political structures of the country and the lives of its Indigenous peoples. Beginning with the Treaty of Waitangi, this course looks at significant events and issues in the shaping of contemporary New Zealand society. The course will explore issues ranging from early European settlement, the Treaty of Waitangi, colonisation, the New Zealand Wars through to Māori activism, Treaty settlements and claims to self-determination.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the meaning, importance and opportunities of the Treaty of Waitangi.
2. Compare the alternative discourses surrounding the Treaty.
3. Examine Māori self-determination and Indigenous autonomy.
4. Compare differing perspectives of insight into New Zealand history through Māori perspectives.

Description 
This course introduces students to the principal theories of crime and applies those theories to an understanding of crime in New Zealand.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the development and evolution of theoretical perspectives on crime and deviance over time. 
2. Analyse crime and justice issues in New Zealand within comparative international contexts, and apply criminological theory to explain patterns of offending and justice responses.
3. Critically discuss changing conceptions of punishment through history and evaluate the role of corrections in New Zealand. 
4. Demonstrate critical thinking, academic communication, and evidence-based argumentation appropriate to the study of crime and justice. 

Description 
General principles of criminal law (liability for offences, overview of party liability, inchoate offences and general defences).

Description 
This course introduces students to the major debates, challenges, and reform movements shaping criminal justice in New Zealand and internationally. The course blends social science theory, empirical research, and real-world case studies to help students critically analyse how justice systems respond to social, cultural, technological, and political change. Students will develop an informed understanding of current issues from policing, courts, and corrections to youth justice, victimisation, Māori and cultural issues, and future directions for reform, and will learn to apply evidence-based reasoning to evaluate responses

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and explain key contemporary issues facing criminal justice systems in NZ and internationally.
2. Apply social science concepts and empirical research to analyse criminal justice problems and reforms.
3. Critically evaluate the impacts of criminal justice policies on different groups and communities, including Māori and Pacific People.
4. Interpret and assess media, political discourse, and public opinion relating to crime and justice.
5. Communicate informed, evidence-based arguments in written and oral formats.

Description 
This course will provide a foundational understanding of research within the criminal justice field. It will provide students with the essential knowledge and understanding needed to interpret, evaluate, and conduct research. The course will introduce key principles that underpin both qualitative and quantitative approaches and prepare students for more advanced research study in later stages of the BCJ.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the role of research in criminal justice practice and policy.
2. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative approaches, including strengths and limitations.
3. Identify different data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, observation, official statistics).
4. Apply ethical principles to simple research scenarios.
5.  Critically read and summarise published research articles.
6. Develop a basic research question and outline a small-scale research proposal.

Description 
This course will examine one of the most pressing issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will explore historical and contemporary determinants of Māori over-representation in the criminal justice system. The course also engages with contemporary responses to the challenges we will examine, and identify future solutions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and understand the historical, social, political and cultural determinants that influence Māori in the criminal justice system.
2. Critically analyse current government initiatives in relation to Māori overrepresentation. 
3. Develop an original initiative aimed at reducing Māori over-representation in the criminal justice system. 
4. Describe future opportunities for addressing the issue of Māori overrepresentation.

Description 
Theoretical bases for sentencing: just deserts, utilitarianism and other theories. Plea negotiation. Sentencing Act 2002- process, principles and practice. Probation and parole. Proceeds of Crime legislation.

Description 
This course introduces students to the New Zealand correctional system and demonstrates how it has evolved since 1840. It then examines various aspects of the correctional system in detail.

You will also complete an additional 105 points worth of online courses at 200 and 300-level to complete your Bachelor of Criminal Justice. 

Please note: at least 30 of these points will need to be 300-level courses to ensure you meet degree requirements (at least 90 points at 300-level). Don't worry — our online Enrolment Support Team will help you select the courses you need when you get to this point of your studies.