Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101560

Coordinator Erin Kruger Opens in new window

Description In 2019 this subject replaced by 102709 - Introduction to Criminal Justice.This subject provides an introduction to the study of criminal justice from a critical criminological perspective. How crime is measured and explained, who are identified as criminals or victims, and how to effectively respond to crime is not straightforward. The subject examines the workings of the criminal justice system, and analyses how police, courts and corrections influence the processes of criminalisation and victimisation, and the societal context in which this occurs. The subject looks at other forms of control and prevention beyond those of the criminal justice system.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Criminology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects CULT 1024 - Introduction to Criminal Justice CULT 1025 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (WSTC) CULT 1008 - Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice (WSTC) CULT 1003 - Crime and Criminal Justice

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Define the concepts central to crime and criminal justice;
2. Summarise the benefits and limitations of theories, debates and policy developments in relation to crime through reference to relevant academic literature and policy sources as appropriate;
3. Identify and describe a range of stakeholders involved in responding to crime, the criminal justice process, these stakeholders�f roles and responsibilities and relationships between them;

Subject Content

Defining and measuring crime
Victims and victimology
Criminal justice institutions and practices
Issues and themes in criminal justice
Alternatives to the criminal justice process
1. Defining justice, including links between justice and morality.
2. The purpose of justice, consideration of the role of justice in society.
3. Justice and crime, connecting notions of justice to the politics of social control.
4. The link between justice and law, including the separation of powers between parliament, judiciary and the executive branch of government.
5. Criminal justice institutions and practices, discussing the role of police, courts, and corrections.
6. Measuring justice, crime and victimisation, an introduction to and critique of existing data and methods.
7. The criminalisation process and social inequality.
8. Comparing and contrasting approaches to justice (traditional and alternative approaches e.g. restorative justice).