SY2003 - Introduction to Criminology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2006
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:

This subject offers an introduction to the study of criminology from both international and Australian perspectives. Criminology is the field of social science specifically concerned with criminalisation and the causes of crime, crime prevention and systems of social control and criminal justice administered by the state and directed towards the treatment, rehabilitation and punishment of criminals. It has a strong practical concern with the key components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement agencies, the courts and correctional systems. It is also concerned with issues of public policy and political decision-making regarding crime and crime control. Criminology also explores relevant ethical and political issues, the representation of crime and deviance within the media and popular culture and societys reaction to crime.

Learning Outcomes

• apply these skills to the analysis of specific case studies;
• demonstrate a critical sociological understanding of the social construction of crime;
• distinguish between selected social theories as they are applied to the analysis of crime and critically assess their strengths and weaknesses;
• formulate independent critical ideas and arguments;
• identify key figures, schools and central themes in the criminology and the sociology of deviance.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

SY3003 and SY3013

Availabilities
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2006
Coord/Lect:	Garry Coventry.
Contact hours:	26 hours 12 hours
Assessment:	(50%); (20%); (30%).
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 08-Sep-2006
Coord/Lect:	psjec.
Contact hours:	26 hours 12 hours
Assessment:	(50%); (20%); (30%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.