This course aims to provide students with a basic understanding and overview of the main features of the criminal justice system in Hong Kong and the Pacific. This course will also provide students with the opportunity to study fascinating issues of crime and justice that are crucial and closely related to the modern world. This course will not only deal with how the process of various criminal justice practices is conducted, but also with the philosophical and moral reasoning behind. Different types of major criminal justice theories and models that have been adopted in Hong Kong, Asia and the Pacific will be introduced and discussed. The gaps between the criminal justice system and the actual practice in terms of moral standards and ethical code of conduct are examined. The concrete practices of the criminal justice in different countries, the challenges facing by the criminal justice system of different countries as well as the comparative criminal justice system in the Asia Pacific region will be critically evaluated.

AT1: Small Group Discussion and Report Back

Students are asked to form small groups and discuss topics given.

AT2: Presentation and Group Report

Students will be asked to present their group project in class. Each group may consist of 4-6 students. They will need to work together to write up a 3,500-word group report after presentation.

AT3: Final Paper

Integrating knowledge and skills learnt in class and write up the final term paper. Each student has to submit an individual essay of around 2,500 words.