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Unit of Study LAWS2054 - Criminology (2021)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit description

Provides the student with an understanding of the major international strands of criminology together with a detailed knowledge of the application of these principles in an Australian context. Emphasis will be placed on modern Australian criminology concentrating on the role of legal personnel in the criminal justice system.

Unit content

The following topics will be covered in the unit:

Topic 1: The study of crime
Topic 2: Media, statistics and crime (I)
Topic 3: Media, statistics and crime (II)
Topic 4: Classical theory, biological and psychological positivism and strain theory
Topic 5: Practical research methods — undertaking field-work activity (optional)
Topic 6: Labelling perspectives and Marxist criminology
Topic 7: Indigenous perspectives (I)
Topic 8: Feminist perspectives
Topic 9: New right criminology, republican theory and restorative justice
Topic 10: Left realism and critical criminology
Topic 11: Crimes of the powerful
Topic 12: Indigenous perspectives (II)
Topic 13: Conclusion — examination preparation

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2021

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

examine the cultural determinants of social reality

recognise and appraise the major historical and contemporary criminological theories and philosophies

demonstrate a working knowledge of the application of these theories to the various elements that constitute the Australian criminal justice system

critically examine the criminal justice system from the viewpoint of one or more of the groups affected or involved in it

recognise the broad legal, social, and political implications of aspects of the criminal justice system

demonstrate developed research and writing skills in criminological analysis.