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School of History · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
'Crime' and 'justice' are frequently considered to be opposites. But are they? This course uses historical case studies to explore criminal justice dilemmas in the Western world, from the Enlightenment to the mid-twentieth century. Over this period the problem of crime and efforts to devise effective means of delivering justice posed an ongoing challenge for legislators, philosophers, religious leaders, scientific experts, and institutional managers. What counts as crime? How should crime be controlled? Does mercy have a place in punishment? Is the state an agent of injustice? Debate over these questions led to new institutions, practices, and concepts, including: the invention of the penitentiary; the abolition of capital punishment; and the rise of eugenics. Lectures and readings will focus on key dilemmas that brought crime and justice into question. Tutorials will involve the analysis of original documents and the essay will explore an historical crime and justice dilemma in depth.
Primary Document Exercise, 1250 words (25%)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
Case Study Research Essay, 2500 words (40%)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Seminar Participation (10%)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
Final Examination (2 hours) (25%)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
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 tutorials; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Readings will be available on Wattle