ACR215 - Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
Unit details
| Year: | 2023 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | No longer offered in 2023 Unit commencing in 2024 |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 3: To be advised |
| Prerequisite: | Students must complete 4 credit points at any unit level |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ACR312, ASL223 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the trimester 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 - online: | 1 x 1-hour class per week (recordings provided), 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
Content
Criminal law and justice processes are reflections of the power of the state to promote order and intervene in the lives of members of the public. These processes also contribute to various embedded structural harms that have profound impacts on those exposed to state power. This unit takes a case study approach to identifying harm associated with criminal activity and criminal justice intervention, focusing on specific problem areas of contemporary and future concern. It includes discussion of how harm can be identified and assessed, ranging from the psychological effects of physical harm to principles of environmental and place-based harm that might be caused by individual, corporate or state parties.
It also includes notions of how harm may be caused or perpetuated by criminal justice agencies and their agents, and how this can be addressed through accountability processes, including criminal charges, civil law (such as the laws of negligence) or accountability oversight bodies. In taking a broad approach, the unit frames these issues in light of current trends in the politics and governance of crime and its control, by focusing on how state agencies and their agents are often bound to the political dictates of controlling crime through legislation or existing policies. While harm can occur by crime, this unit takes the approach that criminal justice intervention can equally be harmful, and these issues are framed within important contemporary criminological debates
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critically analyse available scholarship relating to politics, harm and criminal justice administration | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global Citizenship |
| ULO2 | Apply and critically evaluate the strength and weaknesses of major theories and concepts of harm and how these are applied to enhance our critical understanding of the politics of crime and its control | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem Solving GLO8: Global Citizenship |
| ULO3 | Develop knowledge of major trends in disproportionate enforcement and unjust treatment within the criminal justice system that can impact individuals or groups in the community | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem Solving GLO8: Global Citizenship |
| ULO4 | Identify and analyse national and global developments that challenge and seek to reform the oversight of criminal justice agents or agencies to limit the harm they cause | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem Solving GLO7: Teamwork GLO8: Global citizenship |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 – Essay | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2 – Report | 2400 words or equivalent | 60% | 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
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
Unit Fee Information
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