LAW 2524 - Criminology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Defining crime and an introduction to the criminal justice system. An examination of the historical origins and contemporary theoretical perspectives on the causes of crime and criminality including: physical and genetic factors; psychological theories; and sociologically based theories of crime. An introduction into the nature of and uses of criminal statistics.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 2524
    Course Criminology
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate Law (LLB)
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites LAW 1501
    Incompatible LAW 2122
    Restrictions Available to LLB students only
    Course Description Defining crime and an introduction to the criminal justice system. An examination of the historical origins and contemporary theoretical perspectives on the causes of crime and criminality including: physical and genetic factors; psychological theories; and sociologically based theories of crime. An introduction into the nature of and uses of criminal statistics.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Allan Perry

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    No information currently available.

  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There are no prescribed textbooks for this course.
    Recommended Resources
    T. Bernard, J. Snipes & A. Gerould, Vold’s Theoretical Criminology (6th ed. Oxford 2010)
    K. Williams, Textbook on Criminology, (7th ed. Oxford 2012)
    R. White, F. Haines, N. Asquith, Crime & Criminology, (5th ed. Oxford 2012)
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be used to post announcements, post additional lecture materials (including slides, and where available, audio recordings of lectures) and announce assignment tasks. It will also contain electronic copies of the Course Profile, Lecture and Seminar Guides, and Course Materials.

    Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.

    https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/ 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be taught through lectures supported by interactive seminars in which a critical examination of contemporary issues in criminology will be undertaken.

    The lectures are designed to provide an overview and critical exposition of the principal theoretical criminological perspectives. It is important that students read the required materials in advance of attending the appropriate lecture. The lectures will also provide an introduction to the material covered in some of the seminars.

    The seminars are small group discussion classes that will undertake applying the theoretical perspectives presented in the lectures to contemporary criminological issues. The seminars will also consider some criminological perspectives not directly covered in the lectures. The seminars are intended to develop a deeper understanding of criminological theory and an awareness of the ethical, social and cultural issues in crime and criminality. Seminar attendance is not compulsory but the seminars are an integral component of your learning in this course and attendance is strongly recommended.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Contact time: attend 2 hours lectures plus 1 hour seminar each week. This amounts to 36 hours of formal class time across the semester.

    Preparation time: In addition to attending formal classes it is anticipated that students will do substantial independent work to prepare for classes and to complete the course assignments. The University expects full time students (those undertaking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies.

    Students are encouraged to attend all lectures and seminars throughout the semester although attendance is not compulsory.
    Learning Activities Summary

    LECTURE AND SEMINAR SCHEDULE

     

    Lecture

    Tutorial

    Week 1

    Introduction

    Adelaide Remand Centre Study Tours

    Week 2

    Criminal Statistics

    Adelaide Remand Centre Study Tours

    Week 3

    Classical Theory

    Adelaide Remand Centre Study Tours

    Week 4

    Biological Positivism

    Adelaide Remand Centre Study Tours

    Week 5

    Biological Positivism

    Capital Punishment

    Week 6

    Relationship Between Intellectual Capacity and Crime

    Pornography and Crime

    Week 7

    Psychogenic Theories

    Conflict/ Marxist Theory

    Week 8

    Functionalism

    Family and Delinquency

    Week 9

    Strain Theory/Anomie

    Gender and Crime

    Week 10

    Social Ecology and Disorganisation Theory

    White Collar Crime

    Week 11

    Delinquent and Criminal Subcultures

    Criminal Sentencing Process

    Week 12

    Delinquent and Criminal Subcultures

    Alternatives to Imprisonment


    There are no additional requirements for completion of this course other than those described elsewhere in this document.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Item

    % of Final Mark

    Due date

    Length

    Group or Individual Assessment

    Redeemable

    Research Paper

    30% (optional & redeemable by examination)

    Topics available Week 1
    Due: 2pm, Mon 16th Sept 2013

    1500 words

    Individual

    Yes

    Examination

    70-100%

    Exam Period
    9th – 23rd Nov

    2 hours duration (+ 10 minutes reading time).

    Individual

    No

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Seminar and lecture attendance are not compulsory and no penalty apply for non-attendance. The research paper is optional and fully redeemable by the examination.
    Assessment Detail
    An optional essay weighted at 30% of the final course mark and is fully redeemable by the final examination. Details of the essay topics will be posted on MyUni during the 1st week of the semester. The essays will be assessed based on the quality and comprehensiveness of research; the quality of demonstrated understanding of the relevant principles and concepts; the construction of a concise and coherent presentation; a well balanced presentation of the relevant issues; and the development of a critical and evaluative perspective.

    DUE DATE:                       Monday 16th Sept at 2.00pm

    The examination will consist of three questions only two of which must be answered and all are of equal weighting. Two of the questions will be problem style and the third will be essay style. The essay question will have an internal option of a choice of three essay topics only one of which may be answered. The exam will be of 2 hours duration (+ 10 minutes reading time).

    Students may take into the examination any written materials excluding items borrowed from a University Library and may also take in electronic language dictionaries with no remote capabilities.

    It is each student's responsibility to read the examination timetable. Misreading the timetable is not accepted as grounds for granting a supplementary exam. University staff are not permitted to provide examination times to students over the telephone or in response to personal enquiries.
    Submission

    Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.

    All assignments in this course are to be submitted in hard copy. All hardcopy submissions must be accompanied by the Assignment Cover Sheet that sets out the word length, and contains a signed declaration that the assignment consists of the students own work. A student’s results will be withheld until such time as the student has signed the Assignment Cover Sheet. Markers can refuse to accept assignments which do not have a signed acknowledgement of the University’s policy on plagiarism.

    All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, The Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

    Extensions: Requests for extensions must be made electronically according to law school policy. Extensions will be granted only for unexpected illness, hardship or on compassionate grounds in accordance with University Policy. Work commitments, travel, holidays or sporting engagements are not unexpected circumstances.

    Penalties:

    1. Late Submission: Submission penalties of 5% (of the total mark of the assignment) each day (or part thereof) will be deducted for late submission (including weekends and public holidays), (ie, an essay graded 63% will have 5 % deducted if it is one day late, for a final mark of 58%, 10% if it is two days, etc).
    2. Word Length: Assignments which exceed the allocated length (word length or page limit) will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks available per 100 words or part thereof (ie with a word limit of 3,000, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 3001 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 3101 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.
    Turnaround time: The research paper will be returned to students within 3 weeks of the submission date with written individual feedback. Students will be notified by email when assignments are ready for collection from the Law School Front Office
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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