98004 Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 98000 Introduction to Criminology
Description
This subject examines the evolving landscape of 21st-century crime, disorder, and public security challenges, highlighting criminology's role in addressing current and emerging issues. Students study various 'new' crimes at domestic and international levels and assess responses from state and non-state bodies, focusing on strategic and operational policies, practices, and procedures.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Describe recent developments in the evidence-based understanding of crime causation. |
|---|---|
| b. | Explain the nature, patterns, and criminological mechanisms of emerging and contemporary crime, disorder and threats to public security. |
| c. | Evaluate industry responses to emerging and contemporary crime types. |
| d. | Articulate the issues in emerging and contemporary issues in industry policies, practices and procedures. |
| e. | Assess innovations and reforms in emerging and contemporary issues in industry policies, practices and procedures. |
| f. | Demonstrate professional capability in all communications and conduct with others, and in the presentation of assignments. |
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)
- Employ knowledge from and about local and international contexts to understand and respond appropriately to intercultural dimensions of crime and justice (3.2)
- 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 supporting materials. These are 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 assessment activities (discussions, unmarked quizzes, polls) and 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 broad skillsets such as information finding and gathering, critical thinking and analysis, along with their written and oral communication skills, which are useful in preparing future practitioners for criminological careers. Assessments contribute to the development of these capacities and deepen knowledge of the subject content.
Content (topics)
Learning in this subject is divided into three themes. Theme 1 considers the latest developments in criminological theories. Theme 2 considers emerging and contemporary crime, disorder and threats to public security issues, including organised crime, violent extremism, immigration and crime, cybercrime, environmental crime, etc. Theme 3 considers emerging and contemporary issues in criminal justice and other relevant industry policies, practices and procedures, including police use of force, the vulnerable accused, LGBTQ+ in the criminal justice system, development in corrections, and the use of new technologies in the criminal justice process.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Quiz 1
| Objective(s): | a | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Quiz/test | ||||||||
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||
| Length: | Students will have a testing window of 30 hours in which to complete the quiz. Once started, students must complete the quiz within 60 minutes | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Online Quiz 2
| Objective(s): | a | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Quiz/test | ||||||||
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||
| Length: | Students will have a testing window of 30 hours in which to complete the quiz. Once started, students must complete the quiz within 60 minutes. | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Case Study
| Objective(s): | d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Case study | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1,250 words (sum of all responses; indicative lengths for each answer will be provided. References are required but not included in word length). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Comparative Policy/Practice Analysis
| Objective(s): | d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Essay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1,500 words (sum of all responses; indicative lengths for each answer will be provided. References are required but not included in word length). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
All required readings are made accessible via the Reading List on Canvas.
References
Bedoya, A., & Portnoy, J. (2022). Biosocial Criminology: History, Theory, Research Evidence, and Policy. Victims & Offenders, 1-31.
Birch, P., Kennedy, M., & Kruger, E. (Eds.). (2020). Australian Policing: Critical Issues in 21st Century Police Practice. Routledge.
Buchanan, M., & Krohn, M. D. (2020). Does it matter if those who matter don't mind? Effects of gang versus delinquent peer group membership on labeling processes. Criminology, 58(2), 280-306.
Demir, M., Apel, R., Braga, A. A., Brunson, R. K., & Ariel, B. (2020). Body worn cameras, procedural justice, and police legitimacy: A controlled experimental evaluation of traffic stops. Justice Quarterly, 37(1), 53-84.
Fairclough, S., Dehaghani, R., & Mergaerts, L. (2023). Vulnerability, the Accused, and the Criminal Justice System: Multijurisdictional Perspectives. Routledge.
Hoskin, A. W., & Ellis, L. (2015). Fetal testosterone and criminality: Test of evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory.?Criminology,?53(1), 54-73.
Knight, C., & Wilson, K. (2016).?Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT) and the criminal justice system. Springer.
Lawless, C. (2022). Forensic science: A sociological introduction (2nd Edition). Routledge.
Lee, M. T., & Martinez, R. (2009). “Immigration reduces crime: An emerging scholarly consensus”. Immigration, crime and justice, 13, 3-16.
Ousey, G. C., & Kubrin, C. E. (2018). Immigration and crime: Assessing a contentious issue. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 63-84.
Powell, A., Stratton, G., & Cameron, R. (2018). Digital criminology: Crime and justice in digital society. Routledge.
Simmler, M., Brunner, S., Canova, G. et al. Smart criminal justice: exploring the use of algorithms in the Swiss criminal justice system. Artif Intell Law (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10506-022-09310-1