This course aims to:  arouse the curiosity of participants about the fundamental and necessary features of a fair and just system of criminal justice;    encourage participants to explore and discover for themselves what are the requirements for and the features of a fundamentally 'fair' and 'just' criminal justice process in Hong Kong and other countries;provide participants with the ability to critically analyse and explain the workings of the criminal justice agencies and institutions (Department of Justice, police and the courts) in Hong Kong and how they work to protect freedoms and rights of Hong Kong citizens;raise participants' critical awareness of the difference between the 'theory' and the practice of protection of basic rights of citizens caught up in the criminal justice process in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions. The treatment of vulnerable persons (children) and other persons caught up in the criminal process will be studied. provide, by case study and discussion, an understanding of what conduct ought to be labelled 'criminal' whilst appreciating that there are cultural differences to take into account. This adds to the student's ability to apply his or her ethical awareness to important issues in our society. The student, by enquiry and discovery, develops an understanding of the important legal, moral, ethical and social foundations of systems of criminal justice. provide participants with skills in logical analysis and in presenting oral and written arguments.

* If due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus, the court system closes down, or members of the public cannot view criminal cases, then those students who have not completed the court visit, will have to do an essay (1000-2000 words, depending on whether a student has done a court visit already). If a student has completed one court visit and can complete part of the court visit report, then the word limit of the essay will be 1000 words. If they have not completed one visit, then the word limit of the essay will be 2000 words.

An aim of all the teaching and learning activities in this Course is to facilitate and motivate the students to develop an attitude of curiosity and inquiry into some of the fundamental ethical and moral issues arising in their own and other societies.

A student must obtain a minimum mark of 30% in both coursework and examination and an overall mark of 40% in order to pass the Course.