The Paradoxes of Public Safety: Protection, Power, and Harm unit (CPS201)

Online

Introduction

In this unit, you will explore the complex balance of public safety as a spectrum between individual liberty and freedom, and government restriction and oppression. you will explore how governments’ attempt to establish public safety in a variety of ways, and how different political structures and movements conceptualise, implement, and reinterpret public safety. You will be exposed to public safety issues in a variety of contexts, from political and social contexts, through to law enforcement and public health perspectives and issues. Through local, national, and international case studies, you will examine what happens when public safety goes wrong in various ways, through government overreach, unintended consequences, inadvertent and unanticipated social response, or via misinformation and disinformation from various actors.

Summary

Unit name	The Paradoxes of Public Safety: Protection, Power, and Harm
Unit code	CPS201
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline	Policing and Emergency Management
Coordinator	Doctor James Dwyer
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/02/2027	16/03/2027	19/04/2027	13/06/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse public safety issues using theoretical and/or conceptual frameworks to identify underlying causes of poor public safety outcomes.
• Evaluate perspectives and debates on public safety and the balance between individual freedoms and government oppression.
• Articulate the nature, forms and consequences of unintended outcomes that result from public safety initiatives going wrong.
• Evaluate challenges and complexities in the implementation of public safety through evidence-informed oral or written communication.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090399	$2,253.00	$1,057.00	not applicable	$2,690.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Students must have completed a minimum of 25cp at 100 level before enrolling into a 200 level unit

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 x 1 hour lecture, weekly. 1 x 1 hour drop in sessions, weekly. 8 x hours of independent learning, weekly.
Assessment	Pre-recorded Presentation (25%)|Case study analysis (35%)|Invigilated Exam (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.