coursemapLoading course
POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
The goal of this course is to help students think about how key debates within criminological theory and research can help inform their thesis. We review some of the major approaches to the study of crime and justice, and students will attain a comprehensive grasp of the main philosophical, historical and methodological debates within the discipline. A key element of the course will involve considering the epistemologies that underpin knowledge creation using different methodologies. This course is designed to help students develop their research question and methodology for their honours thesis, and complements work undertaken independently by students with the help of their thesis supervisor.
participation in seminar discussions
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Written reflection on methodology (700 words)
Learning outcomes 2, 3
Visual/Oral Presentations at honours mini-conference
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Research essay encompassing relevant theory, research, and methodology (4000 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 18 hours of lectures and 18 hours of seminars and workshops. b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing. Other Information The research essay can be adapted to contribute to portions of the students Honours Thesis (THES4103).
Crotty, Michael. The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. Sage, 1998. Preliminary Reading Snipes, J. B., Bernard, T. J., & Gerould, A. L. (2016). Vold’s criminological theory. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Braithwaite, J. (1989). Crime, shame and reintegration. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Booth, W. C., Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., & Williams, J. M. (2003). The craft of research. University of Chicago press. Becker, H. S. (2008). Writing for social scientists: How to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. University of Chicago Press.