Major theories of crime, justice and punishment, their methods and applications, and explanations of criminal behaviour and criminal justice practices and policies will be reviewed. Students will attain a comprehensive grasp of the main philosophical, historical and methodological debates, become acquainted with critiques and controversies about crime causation and prevention, and explore the policy implications on the role of institutions and practice on criminal justice. The various criminological theories (imaginations) are located in the context of different perspectives about both the meaning and realisation of justice (e.g. Rawls, Nussbaum).
Major theoretical perspectives and contemporary attempts at synthesis and integration will be examined. These perspectives are illustrated through their different approaches to the definition and scope of crime, the causes of crime, and research method. Given the cross-disciplinary reach of criminology we will also explore the influence of broad intellectual movements such as the civilizing process, post-modernism, feminism, globalisation, communications/digital convergence, and human security. In short the course explores the causes of common and mega-crime (hemoclysm) in the context of these broader changes in society and perspective on justice.
The theoretical perspective draws upon Emmanuel Kant’s (1724-1804) insight that “There is nothing more practical than a good theory” to predict and prevent crimes and mega-crimes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:1. Distinguish between the key features of different theoretical perspectives and constructively compare their advantages and disadvantages;
2. Communicate accurately the elements of each of the main theoretical ideas about the causes of crime and theories of justice to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
3. Discern differences in methodological approaches used by different theories and the means to test theoretical assumptions, including rare crimes such as genocide and other mega crimes;
4. Appraise the relevance and assess the influence of a particular theory on the policy and practice of the criminal justice system;
5. Deconstruct (uncover and critique the theoretical assumptions) a policy initiative in applied criminology/criminal justice; and
6. Integrate and synthesise a micro and macro explanation of a criminal phenomena.
Indicative Assessment
Present arguments and reflections in favour of a particular theory (tutorial/on-line discussion) – 500 words (10%); Learning Outcomes [1-3]Debate – 800 words (15%); Learning Outcomes [1-4]
Applied Theory Case Study using Problem Based Learning, seminar group (3-5 people) presentation 30 minutes (20%) and proposal (600 words) 5%; Learning Outcomes [3-5]
Research Essay: 4000-word research project (50%); Learning Outcomes [4-6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students will need to commit to 130 hours of total learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact: 18 hours of lectures and 18 hours of seminars and workshops (3 hours per week for 12 weeks).
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Bernard, Thomas J., Jeffrey B. Snipes, and Alexander L. Gerould, 2009, Vold's Theoretical Criminology, 6th Edition, Oxford University Press.Preliminary Reading
Rawls, John, 1971 A Theory of Justice, BelknapQuirk, H. Et al [eds] 2010, Regulation and Criminal Justice, Cambridge.
Braithwaite, J, 1989, Crime Shame and Reintegration, Sage, Calif.
Broadhurst, R., Bouhours, T., and B. Bouhours, 2015, Violence and the Civilizing Process in Cambodia, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Cullen, F. and P. Wilcox Eds., Encyclopaedia of Criminological Theory, Sage Calif.
Doyle, M.W, and N. Sambanis, 2006, Making War and Building Peace: United Nations Peace Operations, Princeton, NJ.
McLaughlin, Eugene and Tim Newburn, 2013, The SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory, Sage, Calif.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $2820 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $4320 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5024 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
