SWM5120 - Criminology and social work - 2017

The major focus of this unit is on effective methods of working with offenders in the community after they have been placed on court orders. It discusses the objectives of correctional programs and what works best for whom in terms of reducing re-offending.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Explain the nature and function of criminal justice organisations and networks in Australia;
2. Analyse and interpret the meanings of competing and complex objectives underlying criminal justice policy and practice;
3. Critically evaluate, assess and explain research findings in relation to effective interventions in criminal justice;
4. Analyse and evaluate theory and research underlying risk assessment models;
5. Critically analyse theories of criminal behaviour, and formulate hypotheses about their relevance to criminal justice policy and practice;
6. Create a specific research question and formulate a response to this question by identifying, analysing and synthesising relevant published research;
7. Demonstrate an understanding of at least one of the specialist programs directed towards offenders;
8. Demonstrate the capacity to develop a coherent question or hypothesis which can guide an analysis of a specific corrections program or intervention.

• Essay (4,000 words) (40%)
• Essay (5,000 words) (60%)

Hurdles: Written report (200 words), Outline of assignment 1 (100 words), and Essay Plan (200 words)

Professor Margaret Alston

Social work

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/socialwork/