This course will introduce students to the canon of criminology and map the key theoretical frameworks that have been advanced to explain individual criminality and deviance. The course will encourage students to engage their 'criminological imaginations' to understand the causes of criminal offending and the infraction of social norms and values.
The course will begin by examining how deviancy and criminality is socially constructed. We will then explore the various historical perspectives that have been developed to try and explain crime and deviance. Beginning with the classical school of criminology, the course will explore how our understanding of individual criminal behaviour has developed and advanced. The course will require students to critically engage with the theories presented, and to critique their value in explaining crime in contemporary society. Current-day issues and research will be drawn upon throughout the course to bring to life the application of the criminological imagination.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the key theories explaining criminal behaviour and the societal response to crime;
- critique the value and utility of different theories and approaches to the understanding of crime and deviance in contemporary society;
- source relevant research publications on crime and justice, and interpret that information appropriately; and
- articulate and critique complex theories in a succinct and comprehensible manner.
Recommended Resources
Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.
ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.
Other Information
Lectures for CRIM1001 will be live and recorded for later reference via Echo360 on Wattle. Most tutorials will be face-to-face. Zoom tutorials will only be offered if there is an unavoidable need (e.g. international students not able to be in Australia).
Face-to-face will change to Zoom if required by the University.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Module 1 - Introduction & Classical Criminology (Weeks 1-2) | |
2 | Module 2 - Biological Positivism (Weeks 2-3) | |
3 | Module 3 - Psychological Positivism (Weeks 4-5) | Quiz 1 - due Tuesday Wk4 |
4 | Module 4 - Control Theories (Weeks 6-7) | Research Skills Report - due Thursday Wk8 |
5 | Module 5 - The Chicago School (Weeks 8-9) | Quiz 2 - due Tuesday Wk8 |
6 | Module 6 - Labelling Theories (Weeks 10-11) | Essay - Due Monday Wk11 |
7 | Module 7 - Where to from here? (Week 12) | Participation Peer Assessed Grade - Due Friday WK12 Exam - Due Wk1 of Exam Period |
Tutorial Registration
Tutorials begin in Week 1. Face-to-face tutorials are limited to 20 students each. Tutorial times include 8am and 5pm to cater for anyone with other commitments.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Quizzes | 10 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Research Skills Report - Annotated Bibliography | 10 % | 2,4 |
Essay | 30 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Synthesis Exam | 40 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Participation | 10 % | 1,2,3,4 |
* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
- Code of practice for teaching and learning
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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
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
Participation is expected of all students doing CRIM1001, and it forms 10% of your overall assessment. In this course, participation will be evaluated by your peers. The peer evaluation forms Assessment Task 5 for the course.
See Wattle for more details and the rubric
Examination(s)
The synthesis exam is a take home examination requiring students to interpret video and/or text within a framework of criminological theories.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Quizzes
There are two separate quizzes scheduled for the CRIM1001. Each quiz will be undertaken through Wattle as a set of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer responses. Each quiz may vary in the number or composition of questions. Each quiz is worth 5%. Each question within a quiz is worth the same value.
The quizzes are timed. Students must start the quiz within two days of opening. After starting the quiz, students have 60 minutes to submit their answers. Second attempts will not be granted. Incomplete questions will be submitted as incomplete.
As a Wattle quiz, students may use notes, lecture slides and texts. Given the 60 minute time limit, however, students are not encouraged to rely heavily on external resources.
See Wattle for the Assessment Rubric.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 2,4
Research Skills Report - Annotated Bibliography
In this assessment, you will prepare a critical synopsis of two journal articles provided to you by the Course convener. Your synopsis must identify and discuss the objective, research methodology, findings and limitations of the article. You must also demonstrate the appropriate use of the APA 7th referencing and citation standards.
The Annotated bibliography (excluding referencing) should be 500 (+/-10%) words.
The Academic Skills and Learning Centre has more information about annotated bibliographies:
https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/other-assessments/annotated-bibliography
See Wattle for the Assessment Rubric
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Essay
Students will write an essay that demonstrates their understanding of a criminological theory and how it explains criminal behaviour and societies response. The essay should provide a critique of the chosen theory against another theoretical approach to criminology discussed within the course.
Essay Length: 2000 words (+/- 10%)
See Wattle for the Assessment Rubric
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Synthesis Exam
The synthesis exam is a take home examination requiring students to interpret video and/or text within a framework of criminological theories.
Assessment Task 5
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Participation
Participation is expected of all students doing CRIM1001, and it forms 10% of your overall assessment. In this course, participation will be evaluated by your peers. The peer evaluation forms Assessment Task 5 for the course.
See Wattle for more details and the rubric
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.
The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.
The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.
The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
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
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- 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
The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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 Access 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
![]() |
|
|||
Research InterestsOrganised crime; corruption; public values; integrity |
Dr Adam Masters
![]() |
|
Instructor
![]() |
|
|||
Research Interests |
Dr Adam Masters
![]() |
|