Crime, Criminology, And Critique

Description

Criminology is the study of crime, social harm and how we respond to it. In this subject, you will take on the big questions of the discipline: What is crime? Who is the criminal? Criminologists seek to understand and explain the complex causes and motivations for crime and how categorisations of crime can change according to time, place and politics. In this subject, you will examine a range of topics including youth crime, street crime, crime in the home and crimes of the powerful. You will learn how understandings of crime inform and produce a range of state responses and varied experiences of justice/injustice. Given the local context of Australia, we pay particular attention to crime as a settler colonial construct. Through your reading, classroom activities with peers and assessment tasks, you will critically reflect on the ways that crime is constructed and popularised and build your academic skills. The subject will require you to read and think critically about your own assumptions, media representations, and how power shapes the ways that crime is defined, measured and regulated. Crime, Criminology and Critique is available as a Bachelor of Arts Discovery subject, supporting your introduction to university and fostering connections within your course. If you are taking this as your Discovery subject, you will need to concurrently complete the three compulsory Joining Melbourne modules. Teaching Period: 2 March 2026 to 31 May 2026 Assessment Information: Description Timing Percentage A written critique 600 words Week 5 15% An essay 2000 words Week 9 50% A take-home exam 1400 words (equivalent) During the examination period 35% Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. Throughout the teaching period N/A Hurdle requirement: 2. Assessment hurdle requirement: All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Throughout the semester N/A Additional details Late penalty requirement : Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval.