ACR202 - Criminology Theory
Unit details
| Year: | 2020 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester. Last updated: 2 June 2020 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online), CBD* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | ASL209, ASL309 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Bree Carlton |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Students must complete unit ACR101 and ACR102 plus 2 credit points at any level |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASL209, ASL309 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour class per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 1-hour class per week (recordings provided), 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
Note:*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery | |
Content
This unit introduces the major theories of criminology which have informed research, legislative and law enforcement debates in Western jurisdictions since the eighteenth century. It examines the role of theory and critical research questions which attempt to explain why crime has occurred, and the structure and functions of the various aspects of the criminal justice system and its agents. A combination of theoretical and applied examples is provided in order to illustrate the importance of, and contradictions between, various theoretical approaches informing our understanding of crime in contemporary society.
| These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | ||
| ULO1 | Critically engage with your own ideas about the theoretical approaches to crime and criminality, and demonstrate an ability to evaluate your ideas against set criteria | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO2 | Summarise and critically analyse key theories in criminology, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these theoretical approaches | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO3 | Critically analyse the relationship between criminological theory and the criminal justice system, in light of various contemporary institutional and political factors | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
Trimester 2:| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Research and Writing Exercise | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 - Online Exercises | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Ongoing |
| Assessment 3 - Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link ACR202
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list.
Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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