Course overview
This course will give students an introduction to the science of criminology and its application to Australian society, and an opportunity to consider and debate contemporary criminological issues which are of particular interest to the community and the academic world. The extent and location of crime; the role of theory in criminology; individual and psychological explanations of crime; social explanations and interactionist explanations of crime; white collar and corporate crime; cyber crime; international crimes; policing and law enforcement; the criminal justice process and sentencing; innovative justice processes; imprisonment and detention; crime prevention theories; victimology; failures of Justice; human rights.
Course learning outcomes
- Discuss the various criminological theories that are currently influencing sociological, psychological and socio-legal thinking
- Debate the role, effectiveness and accessibility for victims to the police and the legal profession in dispensing criminal justice
- Explain the issues and arguments around the role of the courts (especially with regards to sentencing), and corrections