Major theories of crime, justice and punishment, their methods and applications, and explanations of criminal behaviour and criminal justice practices and policies will be reviewed. Students will attain a comprehensive grasp of the main philosophical, historical and methodological debates, become acquainted with critiques and controversies about crime causation and prevention, and explore the policy implications on the role of institutions and practice on criminal justice. The various criminological theories (imaginations) are located in the context of different perspectives about both the meaning and realisation of justice (e.g. Rawls, Nussbaum).
Major theoretical perspectives and contemporary attempts at synthesis and integration will be examined. These perspectives are illustrated through their different approaches to the definition and scope of crime, the causes of crime, and research method. Given the cross-disciplinary reach of criminology we will also explore the influence of broad intellectual movements such as the civilizing process, post-modernism, feminism, globalisation, communications/digital convergence, and human security. In short the course explores the causes of common and mega-crime (hemoclysm) in the context of these broader changes in society and perspective on justice. The theoretical perspective draws upon Emmanuel Kant’s (1724-1804) insight that “There is nothing more practical than a good theory” to predict and prevent crimes and mega-crimes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:1. distinguish between the key features of different theoretical perspectives and constructively compare their advantages and disadvantages;
2. communicate accurately the elements of each of the main theoretical ideas about the causes of crime and theories of justice to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
3. discern differences in methodological approaches used by different theories and the means to test theoretical assumptions, including rare crimes such as genocide and other mega crimes;
4. appraise the relevance and assess the influence of a particular theory on the policy and practice of the criminal justice system;
5. deconstruct (uncover and critique the theoretical assumptions) a policy initiative in applied criminology/criminal justice; and
6. integrate and synthesise a micro and macro explanation of a criminal phenomena.
Required Resources
Readings and Texts
Two texts are assigned for the course – Understanding Deviance covers broadly sociological and critical studies while Vold’s Theoretical Criminology provides a criminological-legal approach. Engaging with both texts is recommended. Additional readings are
posted throughout the course. You are encouraged to read original and primary sources and authors. Supplementary and alternative
texts are listed below and for each week.
Students are also encouraged to engage with an original theoretical text, such as Kai Erickson’s Wayward Puritans, Durkheim’s
Suicide, Matza’s Delinquency and Drift, Foucault’s Discipline and Punish, Felson’s Crime and Everyday Life, and so on.
Recommended Resources
Supplementary (The Australian undergraduate text White et. al. 2017 text may be helpful as an undergraduate refresher).
Felson, Marcus, 1998. Crime and Everyday Life, Pine Forge Press, London.
Garland, D. 1990. Punishment and Modern Society: A Study in Social Theory. University of Chicago.
McLaughlin, Eugene and Tim Newburn, 2013, The SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory, Sage, Calif.
White, R., Fiona Haines, and Nicole Asquith, 2017, Crime and Criminology, 6 OUP.
The latest editions of the main texts are in order, however earlier editions are also 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
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.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction: Late Modernism - Governing Through Crime | |
2 | Theories of Justice and Deterrence | |
3 | Positivism and Biological/Neurological Approaches | |
4 | Socio-Biological - Evolutionary Approaches (Debate Preparation) | |
5 | Pathology and Psychology of Crime | |
6 | Sociology of Deviance | |
7 | Labelling & Interactionist Theory | |
8 | -Control Theory Approaches | |
9 | Conflict Theories | |
10 | Mega-crime Theories | |
11 | New Justice Theories | |
12 | Applied Theory |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tutorial Reading Summary | 10 % | 31/05/2019 | 31/05/2019 | 1,2,3 |
Debate & Presentation | 10 % | 19/03/2019 | 19/03/2019 | 1,2,3,4 |
Applied Theory PBL Policy Brief | 5 % | 23/04/2019 | 30/04/2019 | 3,4,5 |
Applied Theory - PBL Case Study | 10 % | 28/05/2019 | 11/06/2019 | 3,4,5 |
Book Review | 15 % | 21/05/2019 | 28/05/2019 | 3,4,5 |
Research Essay | 50 % | 14/06/2019 | 04/07/2019 | 4,5,6 |
* 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.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Tutorial Reading Summary
Submit a 500 word summary of a tutorial reading.… See course summary for due dates and check the wattle page - to be assigned in Week 1
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Debate & Presentation
Submit a 800 word summary of the arguments & counter-arguments presented in the Debate to be held mid-term. Note the assessment includes a grade for presentation during the debate. Due week 5 & 6.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 3,4,5
Applied Theory PBL Policy Brief
Problem Based Learning (PBL) proposal (600 words) due April 23
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 3,4,5
Applied Theory - PBL Case Study
Applied Theory Problem Based Learning (PBL) case study: assessed 20- 30 minutes individual or team presentation. … PBL presentations to be held week 11 and/or 12
Assessment Task 5
Learning Outcomes: 3,4,5
Book Review
A critical review of seminal or new theoretical text - 800-1000 words in the format of journal book review
Assessment Task 6
Learning Outcomes: 4,5,6
Research Essay
Research Essay 4000-word essay - due June 14
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
No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. OR 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 Wattle 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.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.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
Convener
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Prof Roderic Broadhurst
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Prof Roderic Broadhurst
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