This course introduces students to the study of crime and deviance through an exploration of criminological theories, both historically and from contemporary perspectives. Topics may include: strain theory, labelling theory, Marxist theories, feminist theories, left realism, new right theory, and critical criminology. Key criminological concepts will be used to examine and understand relationships between the social construction of crime, transgression and deviance.
Availability2020 Course Timetables
- Semester 1 - 2020
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Outline key criminological theories.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of criminological perspectives, concepts, and research approaches.
3. Analyse public representations of crime and deviance.
4. Apply criminological theories to real-world case scenarios.
The course will examine the way in which crime has been understood historically and in academia with a survey of classical theories of crime, including biological and psychological positivism, strain and labelling theory. Critical responses to these classical ideas, including Marxist and feminist theories, will be examined. Broad understandings of crime and crime-related social policy, such as New Right criminology, Left realism and restorative justice, will be compared and critically analysed and applied to contemporary cases to improve the students' contextual understanding.
Essay: Essay (40%)
Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Case Study (40%)
Quiz: Blackboard quiz x 2 (20%)
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for 11 Weeks starting in week 2