Criminology faces new and evolving issues in the study of crime and criminality, both as the discipline adapts to more inclusive notions of criminality and social-cultural knowledges, and as our society contends with emerging and urgent social harms. From environmental crises, disability and queer recognitions and reckonings, technological advancement and threat, and the growing consensus that current models of justice and criminality lack culturally contextual relevance to a Southern society, it is apparent criminology is changing, provoking need for new theoretical understandings. In this course, theory is discussed and analysed for suitability in combating these emergent harms and problems. Key theoretical insights are explored as we examine the social, political, and cultural intersections that have led us to this point, and how we must use theory to understand what criminology and the criminal justice system must face in the future.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and summarise the key emerging problems and harms facing the criminal justice system and criminology;
- locate and apply relevant theory to emerging topics of concern to the discipline of criminology;
- use orals skills to discuss contemporaneous literature;
- demonstrate understanding of key concepts, and assess and synthesise complex debates in emerging criminology discourse; and
- critically evaluate the social, political, and culture underpinnings of relevant topics and their theoretical contributions.
Indicative Assessment
- Research Literature Review (3,500 word limit) (45) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Thematic Topic Essay (3,500 word limit) (45) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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 seminar and seminar-like activities; or 36 hours of contact taught intensively; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course. Readings will be made available on Wattle
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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3755 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |