Around the world, the vast majority of crime and antisocial behaviour is committed by young people.   This course will introduce students to developmental criminology as a foundation for understanding the causes and correlates of youth offending and antisocial behaviour across the life-course. In doing so, the course  will review leading theories and etiological causes of youth offending and antisocial behaviour, with an eye towards how this research may inform crime reduction policies and prevention strategies (i.e., evidenced-based policies and practices).    A major component of this course will be understanding how  theories and policies covered in this course apply to the significant and ongoing debate in Australia regarding how to best respond to youth offending through policy and the juvenile justice system.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. source and evaluate information and data about youth crime in Australia and the world;
2. display a critically-informed understanding of the theories and potential etiological causes of juvenile delinquency;
3. critically discuss how research may inform current youth crime reduction policies and prevention strategies in Australia; and
4. discuss research and present findings, both orally and in written form.

Examination Material or equipment

See Canvas site for information about examinations: https://canvas.anu.edu.au/courses/11243

Required Resources

Students are required to have access to a computer with internet access and Adobe Acrobat software. All required readings can be downloaded from the course site on Canvas, and via the ANU Library. Further, it is expected that students will read more widely to support their learning for the course. Students are actively encouraged to share relevant, outside materials in class and in online discussions. 

Recommended Resources

ANU systems

https://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-platforms/recommended-student-system-requirements

Supports available to students

https://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-platforms/support-available

Software available to students

https://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-platforms/software-available

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
• General (verbal) feedback following the return of marked assessments about overall performance and common issues. 

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

Use of AI

AI is a tool all graduates will most likely use in the workplace to increase productivity. However, to support your learning, AI can only be used in limited circumstances throughout this course.

• You may not use AI to:
• generate any text that is submitted as part of Assessment 2.
• complete oral presentations for you as part of Assessment 2.
• complete tests or exams for you, including for Assessments 1 and 3.
• assist you during in-person tests or exams, including for Assessments 1 and 3.

• For Assessment 2, the following uses of AI are permissible:
• Support with referencing
• Checking grammar
• Project management
• Brainstorming
• Web-searches and literature reviews (using specific AI research tools designed for this purpose)

Each student will need to submit a statement on AI use/non-use as an Appendix to Assessment 2, which provides information about the GenAI tool/s you used and a log of the prompts you used to support your work.

Please note that large-language models can be prone to error, and students are responsible for the work they submit. If AI hallucinates a reference, copies another person's work, or makes a mistake, you are responsible, and normal academic integrity processes will apply.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to life course theory
2	Introduction to life course criminology	In-class quiz during tutorials
3	Introduction to methods of longitudinal studies	In-class quiz during tutorials
4	Typologies of offending	In-class quiz during tutorials
5	Age-graded social control and turning points	In-class quiz during tutorials
6	Peers and gangs	In-class quiz during tutorials
7	Families and genetics	In-class quiz during tutorials
8	Romantic partners and intimate partner violence	In-class quiz during tutorials
9	Policy and interventions for young people in the criminal justice system	Group presentations during tutorials
10	Raising the age of criminal responsibility	Group presentations during tutorials
11	Indigenous youth and the criminal justice system	Group presentations during tutorials
12	Course summary and examination preparation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
In-class quizzes	20 %	1,2
Group based activity	40 %	1,2,3,4
3-hour written exam (in-person, during examination period)	40 %	2,3,4

* 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:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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

In-class attendance is required to complete the weekly quizzes. Participation in tutorials is expected of all students doing CRIM2006.

Examination(s)

This course includes an in-person, written examination.

Assessment Task 1

In-class quizzes

Students will complete a short in-class quiz at the end of each tutorial from Weeks 2-8.

Assessment Rubric

Quizzes will be assessed for correct responses, with a grade provided at the conclusion of each tutorial. 

The student's top 5 marks will contribute to their final grade for this component of the course (worth 20%).

Assessment Task 2

Group based activity

Students prepare and present an in-person group presentation (3-4 person) on a longitudinal study of delinquency based on documents provided in the second week of lectures. The presentations will be 20 minutes, and each student will be expected to present for at least 5 minutes.

Assessment Rubric

The group presentation will be worth 40%

Groups will be assessed on:

1. Structure (introduction, body, conclusion) and tone (10%)

2. Presentation of facts, synthesis of material, and discussion (30%)

3. Application of life course or developmental criminological theory and policy relevance and implications (20%)

4. Innovation (15%)

5. Referencing and AI statement (5%)

Students will be assessed on:

1. Individual presentation style and clarity (15%)

2.Verbal feedback and questions provided to peers in-class (5%)

Presentation requirements

Students must present their work using PowerPoint (using the template provided on Canvas). Students are required to send their PowerPoint presentation (via email) to the tutor one hour prior to their presentation. Additionally, students submit their presentation for grading via Turnitin (in PDF format) by 11:59 pm prior to the day of their presentation. The assessment will not be considered complete until the presentation and supporting presentation notes are submitted to Canvas, and subject to the standard penalty for turning in late assignments. Appropriate (in-text) referencing applies and a reference list should appear at the end of the presentation slides.

Dates

Presentations will take place during tutorial time slots, from Weeks 9-11.

Marks will be returned approximately one week after submission.

Assessment Task 3

3-hour written exam (in-person, during examination period)

The in-person, written examination will consist of short response questions which use developmental and life-course theory to examine and critique (a) the causes of offending (b) types of offenders, and (c) government responses for addressing delinquency.

Permitted materials

The exam must be completed individually without any technology (other than pre-approved accessibility adjustments), and without any direct help or discussion from others (i.e., no collusion). Any evidence of collusion or unauthorised technological interference will be considered a case of potential Academic Misconduct.

Assessment Rubric

The exam is 40% of the final grade.

The essay will be assessed as follows:

1. Clarity and coherence of written expression (15%)
2. Presentation and accuracy of facts, synthesis of material, and discussion (25%)
3. Application of theories of developmental criminology (30%)
4. Australian public policy relevance and implications (30%) 

Examination date

The exam will be scheduled during the Semester 2 examination period, and marks will be released on the Semester 2 release date. See: https://www.anu.edu.au/directories/university-calendar?year=2026

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

Late submission permitted. 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 Canvas 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

Marked assessments and grades (including written feedback, where applicable) will be returned via the course Canvas site. 

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

No resubmission of assignments are accepted. Students are encouraged to consult with the course lecturer about an assignment prior to the due date.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students