Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the complex relationship between crime and violence. The unit challenges students to analyse the stereotypes and understandings of crime in Australia, especially as they relate to regional and rural environments. Students will test the assumption that crime in the modern world is primarily an urban phenomenon. The impact of crime on local communities, especially violent crime, will be examined. The unit will explore the complexity of contemporary crime and the responses that it generates from local communities and the formal criminal justice system. The role of law and order campaigns to manage changes in crime and violence patterns will be examined. Regional and rural crime prevention programs will be assessed. The unit will consider the role of remoteness (geographical, social and political) in cycles of violence and the responses of the criminal justice institutions.

Objectives

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

1. appreciate the complexity of crime and analyse the responses it generates in regional and rural contexts;
2. appreciate the importance of geographic, economic, social and political dimensions in relation to the committing of crime and violence and in preventing such outcomes;
3. analyse diverse theories of crime and violence and draw on such analytical skills in discussions;
4. apply different theoretical models of criminology to specific issues relating to crime and violence in diverse contexts;
5. critically evaluate the validity of approaches to violence taken by various criminal justice institutions;
6. apply analytical frameworks to real-world examples of crime and violence in order to understand the social impact of such behaviour in communities;
7. write an academic essay based on evidence and balanced argument.

Assessment

Class presentation and participation: 10%
Essay (2500 words): 50%
Examination (2 hours): 40%

Contact hours

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

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

Criminal justice

Prerequisites

CRJ1001 and CRJ1002 or permission

Prohibitions

CRJ2002