UNDERSTANDING CRIME
LST1UNC
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Since the eighteenth century, Western societies have sought to explain systematically the causes of crime and criminality. This subject explores how different understandings of crime have emerged as a response to changing social, political and economic contexts. It also explores the usefulness of these understandings for explaining and responding to crime today. The nature and impact of key criminological approaches ranging from classicism and positivism through to current day critical perspectives will be illustrated and analysed through consideration of contemporary case studies. The way in which criminological theories inform practical responses to crime within and beyond the criminal justice system will also be highlighted.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Susanne Davies
Available to Study Abroad Students: No
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Exchange Students: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Enrolment in the Bachelor of Criminology
Co-requisites: NA
Incompatible subjects: NA
Equivalent subjects: NA
Special conditions: Enrolment in the Bachelor of Criminology for which this subject is the cornerstone.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | TBA | Prescribed | TBA | TBA |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain the emergence, nature and impact of key criminological approaches to explaining crime and criminality.
- Activities:
- Lecture, tutorial discussions online activities and readings, quizzes, reaction papers
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental differences between different criminological approaches by being able to clearly distinguish between them
- Activities:
- Lectures, tutorial discussions and online activities, readings, tutorial activities, quizzes, reaction papers
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Analyse the relationship between criminological theory and practical responses to crime within and beyond the criminal justice system.
- Activities:
- Lecture, tutorial discussions. online activities , readings, quizzes, tutorial presentation, essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Identify and evaluate the ethical dimensions and implications of criminological thinking and practice.
- Activities:
- Lecture, tutorials discussions, online activities, readings, quizzes, reaction papers, essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Speak and write in a concise, relevant and well-informed manner about criminological perspectives on crime and criminality
- Activities:
- Lectures and tutorial discussions, readings, online activities, tutorial presentation, essay, reaction papers
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2016, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Susanne Davies
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
"These will be mixture of face-to-face lecture. In some weeks lectures will be offered online or augmented by online material."
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Assessment tasks (1,000 words) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| One 1200 research essay | 35 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Three 400 word reaction papers | 30 | 01, 04, 05 | |
| One 600 word tutorial presentation | 10 | 05 |