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POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
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.
Mini quizzes x 2 (5% each for a total of 10%)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
In-class research skills exercises
Learning outcomes 2, 4
Essay, 2000 words
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Synthesis Exam, 3 hours, held during the exam period
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4
Peer assessed participation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 35 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 11 hours of tutorials and tutorial-like activities; and, b) 95 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Newburn, T. (2017). Criminology. 3rd Ed. Oxon: Routledge.