98000 Introduction to Criminology

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This subject introduces students to essential concepts, central issues and theoretical foundations, in the field of criminology. The subject focuses on defining crime, explaining how and why crimes are committed, how societies respond to crime, including the role of policing, prisons and community corrections as well as the changing nature of crime over time and in different social contexts. Through case studies, students develop foundational skills and knowledge necessary for work in the contemporary criminology sector/field.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and existing and emerging threats to justice, public safety and property (1.1)
• Apply and evaluate methodologies, technologies and practices relevant to contemporary criminology for policy formulation, risk analysis and stakeholder cooperation (1.2)
• Employ skills in critical analysis, problem solving, data literacy to analyse and respond to criminal justice and social policy challenges within organisations, communities and systems of governance (2.1)
• Analyse crime as a global phenomenon and explain how different jurisdictions define and respond to current and emerging trends in crime (3.1)
• Examine the impact of historical and contemporary legal and criminal justice policies and practices upon Indigenous peoples and communities (4.1)
• Act with personal and ethical integrity and demonstrate social responsibility, demonstrating a critical understanding of the links between criminal law, criminal process, criminalization, poverty, disadvantage and justice (5.1)
• Convey complex concepts clearly, logically and effectively in written and oral forms to a variety of audiences (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning opportunities in this subject utilise recorded lectures and explanations to be reviewed as preparation for interactive and practical weekly sessions where students discuss and analyse current and contemporary issues. Students are expected to complete all preparation activities prior to attending their class session. Formative online activities (discussions, unmarked quizzes, polls) and the low-stakes quiz-assessments allow students to track their progress and improve their comprehension of the material and their study skills.

Throughout the subject students develop a broad skillset such as information finding and gathering, critical thinking and analysis, along with developing their written and oral communication skills, that are useful in preparing future practitioners in criminological careers. Assessments contribute to the development of these capacities and deepen knowledge of the subject content.

An aim of this subject is to help students develop academic and professional language and communication skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine their current academic language proficiency, students are required to complete an online language screening task, OPELA (information available at https://www.edu.au/research-and-teaching/learning-and-teaching/enhancing/language-and-learning/about-opela-students). Students who receive a Basic grade for OPELA must attend additional Language Development Tutorials (each week from week 3 to week 12) in order to pass the subject. These tutorials are designed to support students in developing their language and communication skills. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.

Content (topics)

This subject introduces students to criminology both as a discipline and as a profession by exploring two overarching themes: Understanding crime and Responding to crime. Students begin their learning in the subject with theme 1 and consider what crime is and how crime is defined; this involves canvassing a range of crime types such as violent crime, transnational crime, cybercrime and sex crimes. This introductory subject then moves on to study criminological theories and victimology. In the first part of the subject, students also examine crime through a lens of demography which also includes exploring crime, justice and Indigenous peoples.

Under the second theme underpinning this subject, students explore coverage of how crime is responded to. This part of the learning involves understanding the criminal justice system and a range of institutions who seek to both prevent and reduce crime. This second theme in the subject focuses on a range of professions aligned to the discipline of criminology such the police, prison officers, probation and community corrections officers as well as research and policy professionals.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Quizzes

Assessment task 2: Short answer response

Assessment task 3: Multi-media Infographic

Minimum requirements

It is a requirement of this subject that all students complete OPELA [or a written diagnostic task]. Students who received a Basic grade in the OPELA [or the written diagnostic task] are required to attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials in order to pass the subject. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.

Required texts

Dalton, D., de Lint, W., and Palmer, D. [Eds] (2021). Crime and Justice: A Guide to Criminology. Sixth Edition. Pyrmont: Lawbook Co.

References

Ashworth, A., & Kelly, R. (2021). Sentencing and criminal justice. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Bagaric, M., Alexander, T., & Edney, R. (2018). Sentencing in Australia (6th Edition). Thomas Reuters.

Barberet, R. (2014). Women, crime and criminal justice: A global enquiry. Routledge.

Birch, P., & Herrington, V. (2011). Policing in practice. Palgrave Macmillan.

Birch, P., Kennedy, M., & Kruger, E. (Eds.). (2020). Australian Policing: Critical Issues in 21st Century Police Practice. Routledge.

Birch, P., & Sicard, L. (Eds.). (2020). Prisons and Community Corrections: Critical Issues and Emerging Controversies. Routledge.

Broadhurst, R. and Davies, S.E. (Eds.). (2009). Policing in Context: An Introduction to Police Work in Australia. Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press.

Burke, R. H. (2018). An introduction to criminological theory. Routledge.

Cunneen, C., Baldry, E., Brown, D., Brown, M., Schwartz, M., & Steel, A. (2016). Penal culture and hyperincarceration: The revival of the prison. Routledge.

Cunneen, C., & Tauri, J. (2016). Indigenous criminology. Policy Press.

Decker, S. H., & Marteache, N. (Eds.). (2017). International handbook of juvenile justice. Springer International Publishing.

Doerner, W. G. (2017). Victimology. Routledge.

Duncanson, K., & Henderson, E. (2021). Courthouse Architecture, Design and Social Justice. Routledge.

Hayes, H., & Prenzler, T. (2019). An introduction to crime and criminology. Fifth Edition. Pearson Australia.

Hucklesby, A., & Lister, S. (Eds.). (2017). The private sector and criminal justice. Springer.

Hudson, K. (2013). Offending identities. Willan.

Ireland, J. L., Ireland, C. A., & Birch, P. (Eds.). (2018). Violent and sexual offenders: Assessment, treatment and management. Routledge.

Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2018). Criminological theory: Context and consequences. Sage publications.

Prenzler, T. (2017). Understanding crime prevention: The case study approach. Australian Academic Press.

Rodas, A., Simpson, M., Rawlinson, P., Ryan, E., Kramer, R., Taylor, E., & Russell, E. (2020). Crime, Deviance and Society: An Introduction to Sociological Criminology. Cambridge University Press.

Ronel, N., & Segev, D. (Eds.). (2015). Positive criminology. Routledge.

Scott, D., & Flynn, N. (2014). Prisons & punishment: The essentials. Sage.

Strang, H., & Braithwaite, J. (Eds.). (2017). Restorative justice: Philosophy to practice. Routledge.

Sutton, A., Cherney, A., White, R., & Clancey, G. (2021). Crime prevention: Principles, perspectives and practices. Cambridge University Press.

Terrill, R. J. (2013). World criminal justice systems. Anderson Publishing, Limited.

Tilley, N. (2014). Crime prevention. Routledge.

Walklate, S. (Ed.). (2012). Handbook of victims and victimology. Routledge.

Zimring, F. E., Langer, M., & Tanenhaus, D. S. (Eds.). (2017). Juvenile justice in global perspective (Vol. 1). NYU Press.