Leader: Dr David Baker

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the history of crime and the key perspectives and theories of criminal justice. Students will discuss, analyse and evaluate the diverse and competing interpretations of a criminal act; the nature and basis of social and community attitudes to crime, why particular communities fear certain crimes; the causes and consequences of crime; measurement of crime and the relationship between crime and other forms of deviance. The community in a regional, rural, urban, national and international context will be used as the focal point of this analysis.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the unit, students are expected to have developed:

1. a critical understanding of the nature and complexity of crime;
2. an insight into the nature of people who engage in criminal activity;
3. the ability to critically analyse and evaluate both explanations and theories that attempt to explain the causes and consequences of crime in society;
4. the analytical skills needed to think critically and independently about criminal justice issues;
5. the skill to analyse diverse theories of crime causation;
6. the ability to write an essay based on evidence and balanced argument.

Assessment

Seminar participation or on-line forum participation (off campus) (weekly) : 10%
Assignment (1000 words) : 20%
Essay (1500 words) : 30%
Exam (2 hours) : 40%
OCL students posting regular and relevant comments to an on-line forum will account for 10% of their mark

Contact hours

2 hours per week (one-hour lecture and one two-hour seminar).