200-level

HSRV201
Communication in the Human Services
Description
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication. The context of human communication is considered in terms of the impact of gender, class and culture and how these elements mediate social relationships. The focus of the course is on enhancing communication effectiveness in different organisational contexts. An introduction to korero Maori is integral to the course in terms of the New Zealand context.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
15 points at 100 level in HSRV AND 15 points from either Schedule V to the BA, Schedule C to the BSW(Hons), Schedules C or E to the BCJ; OR 60 points from the BA, BSW(Hons) or BCJ.
Restrictions
SOWK201
PSYC206
Introductory Research Methods and Statistics
Description
This course is an introduction to the theory and application of research design and statistics in psychology. For psychological science, understanding good research design and how to interpret statistical results are key for making rational decisions on the basis of research and data. The course will emphasise the concepts of valid and reliable research, research ethics, and the interpretation of statistical results using real-life examples from the psychological literature. An important theme is that anyone can learn statistics - no math beyond basic algebra is required and you are not required to hand-calculate the statistical outputs. Instead, the focus of the statistical content of the course will be on interpreting outputs from software such as MS Excel and jamovi. This course is a prerequisite to advancing in psychology beyond PSYC 200-level.
Occurrences
Summer Nov 2024 (Distance)
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
At least 15 points in 100-level Psychology and at least 45 points overall
PSYC208
Cognition
Description
This is an introductory course in cognitive psychology: the science of how the mind and brain are organised to produce intelligent human thought processes. Topics include visual cognition, attention, memory, problem solving and expertise, reasoning and decision making, and language comprehension.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC105 and PSYC106, or with the approval of the Head of School, a pass in a professional year of Engineering, or in approved courses in Computer Science, Linguistics, or Philosophy
CRJU211
Forensic Science for Criminal Justice
Description
An introduction to forensic science for students in criminal justice disciplines. The course includes, crime scene investigation, autopsy techniques, forensic science lab investigations and interpreting forensic results in a legal context.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
60 points at 100 level.
Restrictions
CHEM111, CHEM114, BIOL112, BIOL111, BIOL113
PSYC211
Personality
Description
This course provides an introduction to classic and contemporary theory and research in personality psychology. Lectures and readings will cover a variety of perspectives on personality, such as: psychoanalytic, genetic and evolutionary, cultural, biological, humanistic, trait and behavioural. In the laboratory sessions, students will take various personality assessment instruments and participate in experiments to gain first-hand insight into cutting-edge personality research. PSYC211 is recommended preparation for PSYC379 Introduction for Psychopathology, and PSYC336 Industrial & Organisational Psychology.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC105 and PSYC106
PSYC216
Psychology and Law
Description
This course is a broad overview of the intersection between psychology and the law, with a focus on how psychological scientific principles can be applied to real-world issues in the criminal justice system. This course draws on contemporary research in cognition, perception and behaviour to explore topics within the legal system, such as offending, risk assessment, eyewitness memory, detection of deception, false confessions, forensic science decision-making, jury deliberation, and mental health and crime.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC105 and PSYC106
CRJU222
Whakataka Nga Here: Colonisation and the Criminal Justice System
Description
This course will examine one of the most pressing issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will explore historical and contemporary determinants of Maori over-representation in the criminal justice system. The course also engages with contemporary responses to the challenges we will examine, and identify future solutions.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100-level in SOCI, ANTH, CRJU, or LAWS, or any 60 points at 100-level from Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
SOCI222
LING225
Language and Social Justice
Description
How can we use linguistic evidence to solve crimes? What does linguistic analysis tell us about legal language? In this course, students learn how to use linguistics for forensic purposes. What can a piece of spoken or written language tell us about its authors? Can linguistic analysis expose inequalities in the legal system? What are the implications of using linguistic evidence for commercial or defense purposes?
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at any level from any subject.
PHIL240
Bioethics: Life, Death, and Medicine
Description
Bioethics is the study of ethical problems in healthcare, research, technology and the environment. Bioethical problems arise every day, affecting societies, people and non-human animals. This course covers a wide range of issues, including: research on human and non-human animals; reproductive technologies, such as surrogacy and genetic testing; the use of data to monitor and control human actions; conflicts between privacy and autonomy and the public good, and decisions about protecting, killing and letting die, including healthcare, abortion, and euthanasia. The course includes an introduction to ethical values and principles, ways of dealing with moral disagreements, and reflection on what it means for something to be worth moral consideration.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level in PHIL, HSRV, HLTH, LAWS, or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA or the BSc.
Restrictions
PHIL324, POLS225
HIST295
Crime, Criminology and Policing in Modern Europe since 1750
Description
Beginning in the mid-eighteenth century, this course traces the development of crime, criminology and policing in modern Europe. Paying particular attention to the rise of competing biological and sociological models of criminality and the birth of forensics, the course examines the social, political and professional implications of attempting to put the investigation, understanding, and punishment of crime on a scientific footing. Topics covered will include: crime and insanity, Lombroso and the born criminal, the professionalisation of policing, and the development of fingerprinting and crime scene analysis.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level in HIST or CLAS120, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or 60 points at 100 level from Schedules C or E of the BCJ.
Restrictions
HIST395

300-level

CRJU307
Issues in Policing and Prosecution
Description
This course focuses on the structure, scope and contemporary issues relating to policing and prosecution in New Zealand, including critical assessments of police powers; the role of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA); aspects of the Police and Crown prosecution processes, diversion, restorative justice and alternatives to traditional court prosecution of offenders; and selected contentious issues, such as the effects of policing policies and practices on vulnerable groups.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CRJU202 or LAWS202. RP: CRJU201/SOCI218
Restrictions
LAWS337, LAWS365
CRJU308
The Principles of Evidence
Description
The course aims to provide a sound academic grounding in key principles of the law of evidence. It will examine the key topics of relevance, reliability, probative value, illegitimate prejudice, the influence of human rights, burden of proof, rules of inadmissibility (including hearsay, veracity and propensity and privilege), and trial procedure. In focusing on these key aspects of the law of evidence this course will adopt a strong principle based approach in which the theoretical underpinnings of the development of the law will be examined and discussed.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) CRJU202 and 45 additional points at 200-level from Schedule C of the BCJ, or (2) LAWS202 and 30 additional points at 200-level from Schedule C of the BCJ.
Restrictions
LAWS316, LAWS307
CRJU311
Transnational Criminal Law
Description
Globalised criminal activity has forced states to coordinate their legal responses. This course examines the system of international and domestic laws used by states to suppress transnational criminal activity. First it examines the identification of transnational criminal threats and the development of policy in response. Then it examines the substantive crimes established through treaties. It analyses the contraband offences, crimes of violence and the concept of transnational organised crime. Finally it examines international procedural co-operation. It begins with the foundational issue of jurisdiction and then turns to the steps in that process such as mutual legal assistance and extradition.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) CRJU202 and 45 additional points at 200 level from Schedule C of the BCJ, or (2) LAWS202 and 30 additional points at 200 level from Schedule C of the BCJ.
Restrictions
LAWS315
HSRV311
Qualitative Research Methods
Description
This course introduces students to a range of qualitative research approaches. We begin by exploring the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research, including methodological frameworks, theories, and controversies. Students learn about practical issues encountered in ‘doing’ research. Those practical issues include ethics of the research process; navigating cultures and hard-to-reach groups; data gathering via documents, interviews, and focus groups; and analysing data. Students are encouraged to think critically about the applicability of developing ethical research models within diverse contexts/settings. Through manageable research assignments, students become familiar with the business of research and how it fits within complex and diverse human service systems.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
30 points at 200 level in HSRV, or any 15 points at 200-level in HSRV and 30 points at 200 level from Schedule C (BSW) or Schedule V (BA) or Schedule C or E (BCJ). Students with at least 60 points in appropriate courses may enter with permission of the HSRV Progamme Coordinator.
Restrictions
HSRV302
CRJU314
Serious Financial Crime
Description
The course examines the nature of selected types of serious financial crime, including money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and investment frauds. It offers an introduction to the related laws, institutions, and countermeasures against these crimes in New Zealand and internationally. It also identifies the main challenges in combating the emerging financial crime typologies that are committed transnationally and/or use new technologies.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) CRJU202 and 45 additional points at 200-level from Schedule C of the BCJ, or (2) LAWS202 and 30 additional points at 200-level from Schedule C of the BCJ.
Restrictions
LLAW314
LAWS314
Environmental Law, Policy and Society
Description
The nature of environmental law; the merits and disadvantages of statutory and common law approaches to environmental issues; the evolution of environmental concern; particular legal problems arising out of the nature of environmental issues; the precautionary principle; philosophies of human relations with the natural world; possible implications of environmental necessity for political, social, constitutional and economic organisation; environmental economics and issues of public and private property; historical and present-day case studies.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Restrictions
LAWS304
Co-requisites
LAWS202-LAWS206
PHIL324
Bioethics: Life, Death, and Medicine
Description
Bioethics is the study of ethical problems in healthcare, research, technology and the environment. Bioethical problems arise every day, affecting societies, people and non-human animals. This course covers a wide range of issues, including: research on human and non-human animals; reproductive technologies, such as surrogacy and genetic testing; the use of data to monitor and control human actions; conflicts between privacy and autonomy and the public good, and decisions about protecting, killing and letting die, including healthcare, abortion, and euthanasia. The course includes an introduction to ethical values and principles, ways of dealing with moral disagreements, and reflection on what it means for something to be worth moral consideration.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level in PHIL, LAWS, HLTH, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
PHIL240, POLS225
PSYC330
Forensic Psychology
Description
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of forensic psychology, including the potential role of Psychology graduates in the criminal justice system. There will be a particular emphasis on the contribution that psychological inquiry and practice can make in efforts to: - Understand the causes of antisocial behavior, including developmental processes - Develop and evaluate effective psychological interventions for antisocial behaviour - Predict who is likely to reoffend - Detect and investigate crime - Understand the "process" or "cycle" of offending in the lives of repeat offenders There is a laboratory component that will give you an understanding of how the theoretical components of the course are applied in real-world settings. Some of these labs will be delivered by guest lecturers working on the "frontline" of these efforts to reduce the harm cause by antisocial behaviour in New Zealand.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC206 or 60 points at 200 level from Schedules C or E of the BCJ.
PSYC336
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Description
This course provides an introduction to the field of Industrial Organisational Psychology (I/O Psychology). It will examine the applications of psychological theory and research to the workplace, in particular the contribution of I/O Psychology to enhanced organizational performance and improved employee attitudes. It is a prerequisite for entry into the postgraduate programme in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC206. RP: PSYC211, 15 further points from PSYC200
PSYC379
Introduction to Psychopathology
Description
This is an introductory course in clinical psychology (also known as abnormal psychology). The main emphasis of this course is on current views, perspectives, and research in this field. Because this is an introductory course, lectures will largely consist of broad overviews of various psychological disorder concepts and selected specific problem areas. Clinical psychology draws upon most basic areas of psychological knowledge (e.g., social, developmental, physiological, cognitive, learning theory). Course readings and lectures aim to apply knowledge from these areas to the understanding of psychopathology. PSYC379 Introduction to Psychopathology is a prerequisite course for the Postgraduate Clinical Psychology Programme at Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha/University of Canterbury.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
PSYC206
Restrictions
PSYC335
HIST395
Crime, Criminology and Policing in Modern Europe since 1750
Description
Beginning in the mid-eighteenth century, this course traces the development of crime, criminology and policing in modern Europe. Paying particular attention to the rise of competing biological and sociological models of criminality and the birth of forensics, the course examines the social, political and professional implications of attempting to put the investigation, understanding, and punishment of crime on a scientific footing. Topics covered will include: crime and insanity, Lombroso and the born criminal, the professionalisation of policing, and the development of fingerprinting and crime scene analysis.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from HIST, or CRJU201 and either CRJU202 or LAWS202, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
HIST295

Not Offered Courses in 2025

200-level

HSRV203
Policy Debates in the Social Services
Description
This course examines key principles guiding policy on the provision of social services. Trends and debates around the shifting relationship between welfare systems and the state are explored along with factors influencing the delivery of human services in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Students will learn to critically assess the implications of social service delivery for providers and consumers of welfare services, and issues around the impact of inequalities in society.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021
For further information see HSRV203 course details
Points
15 points
HSRV212
Family Violence
Description
This course will provide substantive content on the dynamics of family violence across three forms of violence including child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence and elder abuse. Specialist law provides the means through which family violence concerns can be addressed by the State. Both voluntary and statutory responses are used in response to family violence. This course provides a broad overview of the ways in which the family and the state attempt to address the issue of family violence. Students will be introduced to research and literature pertaining to family violence from an international and New Zealand perspective and will use this to critique how family violence is both framed and responded to. The course utilises a blended learning format.
Occurrences
HSRV212-25S1 (D)
Semester One 2025 (Distance) - Not offered
For further information see HSRV212 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
15 points at 100 level in HSRV AND 15 points from either Schedule V to the BA, Schedule C to the BSW(Hons), Schedules C or E to the BCJ; OR 60 points from the BA, BSW(Hons) or BCJ.
Restrictions
HSRV206, SOWK212

300-level

CRJU304
Research Project in Criminal Justice
Description
A Research Project for students who have a particular interest in some specific aspect of Criminal Justice and a B average in appropriate 200 level courses, sufficient to demonstrate that they are capable of relatively independent research work and scholarly writing.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2023
For further information see CRJU304 course details
Points
15 points
CRJU309
International Criminal Law
Description
International Criminal Law introduces students to the nature and cause of international crimes and to the mechanisms for the suppression and punishment of these crimes through international law.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025
For further information see CRJU309 course details
Points
15 points
CRJU312
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Law and Procedure
Description
What is Criminal Procedure? This course will discuss a brief synopsis of the theory of criminal procedure. It will look at the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, differing categories of offences, prosecuting agencies (Police v Crown). Students will explore the roles that different judicial officers such as JP’s, Magistrates and Judges play in the criminal system while looking at arrests and/or court summons orders to court. This course will look at the requirements for a valid first arrest, opposition to bail, legal aid, pleas, sentencing indication and pre-trial applications. Students will explore the differences between Judge only trials and Jury trials, Jury pre-trial callovers and sentencing. LAWS380 will also take a more in-depth look at the lawfulness of police searches, dealing with mental health issues in criminal law and the issue of double jeopardy.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025
For further information see CRJU312 course details
Points
15 points
LAWS378
Genetics, Neuroscience and the Criminal Law
Description
This course will consider the legal and ethical issues involved in the use of genetic and neuroscientific evidence during criminal investigations and criminal proceedings. This course is offered in alternate years.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2021
For further information see LAWS378 course details
Points
15 points