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:
- Discern the political and economic interests influencing the crime control landscape.
- Critically evaluate the social impacts and resonances of contemporary crime control interventions.
- Analyse struggles between governing authorities and governed populations.
- Apply theoretical perspectives used by sociologists to explain in original ways crime control processes, specifically theories of risk, power, capitalization, spectacle and struggle.
- Undertake and assess research in the field of crime control, including the use of census data, attitudinal surveys, content analysis, participant observation and interviews.
- Evaluate complex ideas lucidly and critically, orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate a capacity to formulate an opinion-editorial piece which engages critically with a contemporary crime control policy, measure or practice.
Indicative Assessment
- Research Essay,1500 words (25) [LO 1,4,5,6]
- Tutorial Presentation, 10-15 min (15) [LO 2,3,6]
- Synthesis Examination, 2000 words (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Opinion Editorial, 2000 words (30) [LO 2,3,4,5,6,7]
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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of tutorials; and,
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings will be listed on the course Wattle site.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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