76012 Criminology

Description

This subject introduces students to the study of criminology, a multidisciplinary field that focuses on crime. Criminologists draw from a range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, politics, cultural studies and history to study the construction of crime, the causes of crime, crime prevention, community responses to crime, and the impacts of criminalisation and criminal behaviours on individuals and communities. In this subject, students explore the research of various theorists and scholars and in particular focus on analyses of the impact of various factors such as ethnicity, race, gender and sexuality on the commission of crime and the criminal justice system's response to crime.

Students use classical, contemporary and emerging theories in order to consider why and how crimes are constructed and occur, and the nature of just and innovative responses to criminal offending. The multidisciplinary nature of criminology means that criminologists utilise a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to investigate these issues. The subject contextualises criminological theory through field trips, research and debate as well as analysis of contemporary and evolving issues such as 'one punch' legislation and lock-out laws, corporate and state crimes, and hate crime. Students also complete their own research project, applying relevant criminological theory to a crime issue of their choosing.