• Class Number 3091
  • Term Code 3030
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • AsPr Gavin Smith
  • LECTURER
    • AsPr Gavin Smith
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 24/02/2020
  • Class End Date 05/06/2020
  • Census Date 08/05/2020
  • Last Date to Enrol 02/03/2020
  • TUTOR
    • AsPr Gavin Smith
SELT Survey Results

Controversies in Crime Control provides students with an introduction to the crime control field from a sociological vista.This course examines the social functions of deviance and explores the various strategies of securitization - e.g. private security growth, criminalization of mundane behaviours and social groups, hardening crime control legislation, mass surveillance and incarceration, etc. - emerging in response to what commonly is perceived as the 'crime crisis'. We consider the key issues associated with the identification and management of social problems and contemplate how behavioural disobedience, as a moral resource, is purposefully exploited for political and commercial ends. Using a set of case studies (or crime control 'controversies') as evidence, students will address the following key questions:

- How are social problems defined and policed?
- To what degree is public understanding of crime culturally mediated and influenced by specific rhetorics?
- Which groups and interests effectively dictate crime control policies and criminal justice system agendas?
- What are the social consequences of intensifications in criminalization processes and securitization projects?

Overall, this course equips students with the appropriate knowledge, acuity and research skills to understand and engage the contemporary crime control landscape from a critically informed perspective.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Discern the political and economic interests influencing the crime control landscape.
  2. Critically evaluate the social impacts and resonances of contemporary crime control interventions.
  3. Analyse struggles between governing authorities and governed populations.
  4. Apply theoretical perspectives used by sociologists to explain in original ways crime control processes, specifically theories of risk, power, capitalization, spectacle and struggle.
  5. Undertake and assess research in the field of crime control, including the use of census data, attitudinal surveys, content analysis, participant observation and interviews.
  6. Evaluate complex ideas lucidly and critically, orally and in writing.
  7. Demonstrate a capacity to formulate an opinion-editorial piece which engages critically with a contemporary crime control policy, measure or practice.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is founded on Associate Professor Gavin Smith's 15 year research program on the politics of crime control and the policing of everyday life. Student's will be expected to draw on primary research that has been conducted in the crime control field as well as conducting their own independent research on various aspects (e.g. theoretical, empirical and policy). The course is designed to introduce some key ideas and issues and invite students to develop their own research interests that could inform honours projects or graduate studies.

Required Resources

These are all provided to course participants.

Garland, D. 2001. The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Newburn T. and Rock, P. 2009. The Politics of Crime Control: Essays in Honour of David Downes


Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Please note, this is a course which looks at criminological processes and issues from a distinctly sociological perspective. Therefore, students who have had no familiarity with the discipline of sociology might find the content, format and assessment challenging.


The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Policing the Risk Society No seminars in Week 1
2 Media and Crime Control Seminars commence focusing on risk society and meditation of crime from Weeks 1-2
3 Governing through Crime Seminars tasks on the Governing through Crime notion and Assessment 1 due on 13 March 2020
4 The New Penology Seminar tasks on The New Penology notion
5 Splintering Crime Control I Seminar tasks on privatisation of crime control processes
6 Splintering Crime Control II Seminar tasks on emerging crime control episteme and Assessment 2 due on 6 April 2020
7 Case Study 1: Border Policing Seminar tasks on Border Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation A
8 Case Study 2: Aerial Policing Seminar tasks on Aerial Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation B
9 Case Study 3: Indigenous Policing Seminar tasks on Indigenous Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation C
10 Case Study 4: Nightlife Policing Seminar tasks on Nightlife Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation D
11 Case Study 5: Domestic Policing Seminar tasks on Domestic Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation E
12 Case Study 6: Transit Policing Seminar tasks on Transit Policing controversy and Assessment 3 Seminar Presentation F
13 Semester 1 Exam Period Assessment 4 preparation
14 Semester 1 Exam Period Assessment 4 Synthesis Examination due June 10 2020

Tutorial Registration

Registration for seminars will open on Wattle on Tuesday 25 February 2020 at 12pm

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Media analysis 30 % 13/03/2020 30/03/2020 2,3,4,5,6,7
Research essay 25 % 06/04/2020 24/04/2020 1,4,5,6
Seminar presentation 15 % * 08/06/2020 1-6
Synthesis examination 30 % 10/06/2020 * 1-7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Although not formally monitored or graded, given the dialogical nature of the lectures, students taking this course are asked to attend. Students are also expected to read, as a bare minimum, each of the weekly core readings, actively participate in lectures and seminars, and conduct at least 94 hours of independent study. It is the responsibility of students to regularly access Wattle and their ANU email accounts in order to plan and prepare in advance of classes.

Examination(s)

This course has a take-home examination as a key assessment component.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 13/03/2020
Return of Assessment: 30/03/2020
Learning Outcomes: 2,3,4,5,6,7

Media analysis

Students must select an appropriate news media example (this can be from any historical period and region) and conduct a content analysis of the article or programme applying, and discussing, the ideas and readings presented/covered in Week 2. They must outline how the article chosen EITHER depicts the concept of 'moral panic' in terms of how a crime story is framed/presented OR portrays the 'trial by media' idea in terms of how a crime control official/agency or prominent public figure is portrayed. Students will need to outline the key tenets of the concept being used before evaluating its appropriateness for the example analysed. 


The rationale for the exercise is to get students thinking and writing critically about the media's role in constructing and affecting the crime control landscape. In particular, the task invites students to (a) focus analytical attention on the production of crime news (e.g. what is focused on, how are 'facts' presented, what image and language is used, which voices are present/absent, how are perpetrators/victims depicted, how are events explained, what is called for in terms of a response, are state officials or prominent figures put on trial, etc.) and (b) acknowledge the political and economic forces, agendas and interests that influence how stories are framed. It is designed so that students begin linking criminological ideas to everyday examples, reflecting on how they fit (or don't) with the contemporary news media environment.


Word limit: 2000


Presentation requirements: A double-spaced and word-processed copy of this assessment task must be submitted electronically on Wattle via the appropriate Turnitin link on the specified due date. The default referencing style adopted for CRIM6003 written work is Harvard. Do not use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty.


Estimated return date: 30 March 2020


Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 06/04/2020
Return of Assessment: 24/04/2020
Learning Outcomes: 1,4,5,6

Research essay

Students are required to select ONE essay question from a predefined list below and incorporate ideas, examples and knowledge from the course and from the relevant criminological literature to develop a coherent, informed and persuasive argument. Students will also be expected to conduct extensive critical research on related criminal justice system programs, processes and practices to augment, evidence and supplement their responses. They will need to read widely to substantiate and illustrate the claims they make.


The rationale for this assessment is to get students engaging critically with the course content and to develop their own understandings of the issues raised. It is designed to enable students to select a topic of interest and to conduct some preliminary research, be that through analysing statistics, policy documents, media accounts or criminological studies, and integrate examples/evidence into their account. It is also designed in a way that enables students to formulate their own argument vis-a-vis core topics of contemporary criminological concern.


Research essay questions:

  • How have risk frameworks impacted on contemporary crime control practices and/or criminal justice processes?
  • What are some of the key circumstances and factors that have brought about a 'criminology of the self''?
  • What according to critical criminologists are the contemporary functions of the neo-liberal prison?     
  • In what ways are responses to criminality shaped as much by political interests as by moral sentiments?
  • Why is it important to focus on how crime is popularly represented in films and novels and on television?


Word limit: 1500


Presentation requirements: A double-spaced and word-processed copy of this assessment task must be submitted electronically on Wattle via the appropriate Turnitin link on the specified due date. The default referencing style adopted for CRIM6003 written work is Harvard. Do not use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty.


Estimated return date: 24 April 2020


Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 3

Value: 15 %
Return of Assessment: 08/06/2020
Learning Outcomes: 1-6

Seminar presentation

Students will be allocated to a week (encompassing weeks 7—12) in the first half of the course. They will then need to provide a critical response to a general topic question that draws on primary research they have conducted on the given crime controversy. The analysis they perform will take the form of a seminar presentation (of approximately 10mins) to the class and tutor during weeks 7—12. The presentation style and format is entirely up to the individual presenter to determine.


The grade will be calculated according to the presenter's ability to provide a logical, lucid and persuasive argument based on an informed and nuanced analysis of the topic, and their capacities to make sound connections to content covered in the course.


Thus, the presenter will be assessed according to:

  • how well they can summarise complex ideas and link theories to practices of crime control in everyday life
  • the level of understanding demonstrated in terms of the concepts, issues and debates being discussed
  • the extent and quality of supportive evidence provided in the argument developed
  • how clear, well structured/organised and engaging the presentation is
  • the extent to which they provide a critical analysis and/or offer interesting/innovative ideas and approaches


The use of handouts, overhead bullet points and/or the whiteboard is highly recommended and utilising such resources in sophisticated ways to convey the desired message is likely to accrue extra marks. Excessive reading of notes is strongly discouraged, so too over-reliance on video clips. Presenters will have their presentations recorded and will be asked to submit their presentation notes via Turnitin subsequent to the presentation to ensure ideas and concepts are accurately acknowledged and referenced.


Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 10/06/2020
Learning Outcomes: 1-7

Synthesis examination

The synthesis examination comprises a take-home exam paper that will evaluate students’ general knowledge and understanding of the key issues, debates and ideas covered in the Module II topics (i.e. Weeks 7—12 inclusive).


You will be asked to answer TWO questions from a list. Each question is designed to:

(a) measure your understanding of a general crime control controversy covered in Module II (i.e. why is the issue of criminological interest and significance? What are the key debates that animate and distinguish different approaches to the topic? How can criminological research and concepts help with explaining the problem and bringing it to public attention? What types of criminological analysis have been applied and what are their relative strengths and weaknesses?)

(b) assess your ability to critically apply and evaluate key concepts, support contentions with evidence derived from the appropriate criminological literature and from everyday life, write clearly/proficiently and structure, formulate and develop a logical argument, etc.


To help you prepare for this final assessment, the actual synthesis examination paper will be made available to students in Week 12 and then discussed in the final seminar.


Word limit: 2000


Presentation requirements: A double-spaced and word-processed copy of this assessment task must be submitted electronically on Wattle via the appropriate Turnitin link on the specified due date. The default referencing style adopted for CRIM6003 written work is Harvard. Do not use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty.


Estimated return date: Not applicable.


Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. OR Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Students' work will be returned with either written or verbal feedback on Wattle. The return dates are specified above and in the assessment instructions on Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students are not permitted to resubmit assignments.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
AsPr Gavin Smith
61250323
u5170701@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Surveillance, Policing, Data, The Body, Ecology, Animals, Wildlife

AsPr Gavin Smith

Tuesday 10:30 11:30
AsPr Gavin Smith
61250323
gavin.smith@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


AsPr Gavin Smith

Tuesday 10:30 11:30
AsPr Gavin Smith
61250323
gavin.smith@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


AsPr Gavin Smith

Tuesday 10:30 11:30

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