76012 Criminology
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): ((70218 Criminal Law OR 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure)) OR ((94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04236 Juris Doctor OR 142 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04250 Juris Doctor Master of Business Administration OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04363 Juris Doctor Master of Intellectual Property OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04364 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Trade Mark Law and Practice) AND 70106c Principles of Public International Law AND 70107c Principles of Company Law) OR (94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04320 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Professional Legal Practice AND 70106 Principles of Public International Law)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the study of criminology, a multidisciplinary field that focuses on crime, penalty and imprisonment. Criminologists draw from a range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, politics, cultural studies and history. Criminologists study the construction of ‘crime’, the causes of crime, crime prevention, the theoretical and ideological underpinnings of the criminal justice system, and the impacts of criminalisation on individuals and communities. This subject critically interrogates both the criminal justice system and criminology itself.
In this subject, students explore the research of various theorists and scholars and in particular focus on analyses of the impact of various factors such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality and colonisation on the construction of crime and the criminal justice system's response to crime.
Students use classical, contemporary and emerging theories in order to consider why and how crimes are constructed and occur, and the nature of just and innovative responses to criminal offending. The multidisciplinary nature of criminology means that criminologists utilise a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to investigate these issues. The subject contextualises criminological theory through guest lectures by people with lived experience, research and debate as well as analysis of contemporary and evolving issues such as corporate and state crimes (including deaths in custody), the criminalisation of coercive control and the cost of imprisonment. Students also complete their own research project, applying relevant criminological theory to a crime issue of their choosing.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify, analyse and apply a range of theoretical approaches in order to investigate and critically reflect upon contemporary issues relating to the nature and causes of criminal behaviours and state responses to offending. |
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| 2. | Critically evaluate a range of research methods used in criminological research. |
| 3. | Conduct effective research by locating and evaluating multidisciplinary scholarship and apply that research to investigate a crime and/or criminal justice issue. |
| 4. | Construct clear, critical and persuasive written and oral arguments that are substantiated by empirical research. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes which reflect the course intended learning outcomes:
- Critical Analysis and Evaluation
A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including the ability to:
a. Identify and articulate legal issues in context, including the skill of critical reading and writing;
b. Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses;
c. Engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and
d. Think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses. (LAW.3.1) - Research skills
Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. (LAW.4.1) - Communication
Effective and appropriate communication skills including:
a. Highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different and diverse audiences and environments;
b. An ability to communicate to inform, analyse, report and persuade;
c. An ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message;
d. An ability to assess how messages are received and alter communication strategies accordingly; and
e. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others. (LAW.5.1) - Collaboration
Effective and appropriate collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace including:
a. An ability to give and receive feedback;
b. Appropriate professional and interpersonal skills in working collaboratively;
c. A capacity to develop strategies to successfully negotiate group challenges; and
d. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others. (LAW.6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Strategy 1 (Independent learning)
Student learning outside the classroom is an essential learning strategy for this subject. Students read prescribed materials and reflect on the wider issues raised in these materials prior to coming to class. Additional readings are listed in each class module on Canvas. Students are strongly advised to go beyond the prescribed readings particularly if they wish to specialise and pursue particular theories further. Students have the opportunity to ask questions of their peers and teacher to assist them in consolidating their own learning.
Strategy 2 (engaging in seminars)
Through interactive discussion and small group activities students develop skills to synthesise material quickly, formulate a critical analysis, listen and share information. Students test their understanding of the prescribed reading by: asking and responding to questions; developing their own perspectives and offering opinions; engaging in debates; and providing constructive feedback to peers in class discussion. Seminars are designed to model critical thinking, including the development of argument and close textual analysis of various theoretical approaches in a range of legal, cultural and historical contexts. Students practice these critical thinking skills through discussion, debate and activities that involve students working in small groups applying theories to contemporary issues. In on-line classes, students must have their cameras on in order to participate in the class (unless there is a good reason why this is not possible). Students are also encouraged to take part in on-line activities and discussion boards as a means of testing their understanding of the prescribed readings.
Strategy 3 (Visual and oral presentation applying one critical criminological theory)
Students develop research skills through sourcing and critiquing a range of criminological theories and developing a short oral and visual presentation. To practise their research skills and develop their research topic students prepare and submit a presentation on the discussion board, choosing one of a few pre-selected crimes but applying one criminological theory to either justify or critique the theory.
Relevant academic literature of three to five sources should be applied. Students are provided with written questions and feedback from the class about the appropriateness and relevance of the selected theory.
This process enables students to focus on a topic and to apply appropriate criminological approaches that explores criminal justice issues. It also enables the student to defend or explain their position to the class.
Strategy 4 (feedback)
Students receive ongoing feedback in seminars from their teacher as well as their peers. Students should be using their class participation and the canvas discussion board as a means to test their understanding of theories and relevant issues covered in the subject. This feedback is available to students from Day 1 and provides opportunities for students to develop their capacity to present oral arguments. On Day 2, students participate in a class activity that involves students analysing the components of a criminological theory and applying the analytical framework to topical issues. This activity provides students with oral feedback about their ability to analyse and apply a theory as well as construct an effective argument. Students also receive written feedback via Canvas on their annotated bibliography which is due early in the session. Feedback provides students with the opportunity to reflect upon and develop their ability to construct an effective argument, write clearly and persuasively and communicate complex concepts. Students can continue to develop these skills through their writing of a final essay. Students also receive written feedback on their final essays via Canvas to improve their research essay writing in the future.
Subject Delivery
This subject is a combination of face to face and on-line for the Summer session.
Content (topics)
- Research in Criminology
- Classical and Positivist Explanations
- Structural explanations: Marxism, Strain and intersectionality
- Labelling theory and moral panic
- Crime prevention
- Victimology
- Prison Theory and Practice
- Feminisms
- Corporate crime
- State crime
- Green Criminology and environmental crime
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Class Participation
| Intent: | Class participation focuses on the conversation and discussion that help students to develop their understanding of the theories that they apply to critically evaluate research. Students practise communicating ideas in public and develop critical thinking skills. |
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 2 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: LAW.3.1, LAW.5.1 and LAW.6.1 |
| Weight: | 20% |
Assessment task 2: Visual and oral presentation
| Intent: | This is designed to help students get to grips with the literature used in this subject and to assist them in preparation for the essay (Assessment Task 3). |
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: LAW.3.1, LAW.4.1, LAW.5.1 and LAW.6.1 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 5 minute oral presentation, with visual content (max 7 pages/slides) to be uploaded on to Canvas assignment portal |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Critical Research Essay
| Intent: | This is designed to provide students with a significant opportunity to explore in depth a criminological issue of their choice. |
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3 and 4 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: LAW.3.1, LAW.4.1, LAW.5.1 and LAW.6.1 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2,000 words excluding footnotes (no discursive footnotes permitted; references only). There is a 5% leeway under or over the 2000 words limit and any content over 2100 words will not be read or marked. |
| Criteria: |
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