Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Crime is an issue which all citizens and governments confront on a daily basis: it impinges on all our lives. The causes of crime, and how it is and should be dealt with, are the focus of intense and on-going debate. That debate is examined in this unit. Students analyse the meaning, nature, extent and measurement of crime, examine how crime is portrayed in the media and evaluate the effect images of crime can have on our perceptions of the crime problem and how it should be addressed.

Objectives

Upon completion of this subject students will have been given the opportunity to gain:

1. A critical understanding of the various facets of crime and the crime problem including what constitutes crime, how society decides which actions should be defined as criminal, what causes people to commit crime and what effect the images of crime have on the community's perception of the crime problem and how it should be addressed.

2. An ability to critically analyse and evaluate theories of crime and to apply them to everyday situations.

3. An understanding of the value or otherwise of crime statistics and how they are used.

4. The ability to write an essay based on rational argument.

5. The skills needed to make an oral presentation.

Assessment

essay (2000 words) 40%
exam (2 hours) 50%
tutorial attendance and participation 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kate Gaffney

Contact hours

3 hours (1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Criminology