Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The new unit JSB170 Introduction to Criminology and Policing will provide you with an introduction to both of the majors before you make your choice. This unit will provide you with a foundation for understanding criminology and policing. It begins with an exploration of the existing explanations of crime from both an individual and social perspective and will provide you with a background of policing in Queensland, Australia and internationally. The remainder of the unit then covers topics of interest to those within the area of criminal justice, policing and criminology, for example, crimes in the home, crime in public, white collar crime, and street crime.

Aims

To introduce students to the key themes in criminology and policing and;
To provide students with an introductory knowledge of criminological theory.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students should have attained the following:

1. Knowledge of the contribution that individualistic and social theory makes to our understanding of crime and policing. This is consistent with the graduate attributes of multidisciplinary knowledge, inclusive knowledge and critical awareness.


2. The ability to theoretically frame an analysis of a crime 'problem' and inform this analysis with empirical research. This will be demonstrated through graduate attributes of oral and/or written communication.


3. An understanding of criminological research findings and the ways these contribute to the building knowledge about specific crime problems. This is consistent with the graduate attribute of research.


4. The ability to critically reflect on crime issues and trends. This is consistent with the graduate attribute of critical thinking.

Content

Criminology:
1. What is crime and who is a criminal?
2. The extent and location of crime
3. Individual explanations
4. Social explanations

Policing:
5. Histories of policing
6. Eras of policing
7. Organisation of policing

Studies of crime:
8. Youth crime
9. Street crime
10. White collar crime
11. Crime in the home
12. Cybercrime
13. Revision

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be taught using face to face lecture time, online activities and face to face tutorial formats for internal students and by a self directed study format for external students. External students also have access to online activities. The emphasis will be on student learning through quality interaction and active participation in lectures and tutorials (for internal students), on-line chat sessions (external students), and through analysis of the set readings (for both internal and external students). Lectures in this unit will be delivered by a team of staff from the School of Justice, and all lectures will be available via the QUT Blackboard site following the time of presentation as per the Study Plan. It is important that you take this opportunity to learn from the diverse experience and knowledge of each lecturer and think critically about the information with which you are presented.

Assessment

There are two distinct forms of assessment used in this unit - formative and summative. Formative assessment provides students with either written or verbal feedback for a piece of assessment and summative assessment provides students with a mark that will contribute to their final grade in the unit.Feedback is provided for each piece of assessment.

Assessment name: Research Log
Description: The purpose of this assessment is to introduce you to searching for peer reviewed articles in databases available through the QUT library web site. In addition, this assessment is designed to begin to build on your understanding of the relevance of research to Criminology and the nature of Criminological theory.
Relates to objectives: This assessment relates to Objectives 1,2, 3 and 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Reflective Report
Description: The purpose of this assessment is to introduce and build on the skills you began to develop in assessment 1 and 2. In addition to this, this assessment is designed to begin to build on your critical thinking and reflective thinking skills. You are also required to think about policy implications for research and articulate an argument as to the impact of research in the practice of Criminal Justice.
Relates to objectives: This assessment relates to Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: The purpose of this assessment is to test and consolidate your learning over the semester. You will be asked to complete 3 out of 5 short answer questions (maximum of 1 page) and 60 multiple choice questions.
Relates to objectives: This assessment relates to Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

The prescribed text for this unit is as follows and is available for purchase from the QUT Bookshop:
Hayes, H & Tim Prenzler. 2012. An Introduction to Crime and Criminology 2nd Edn Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia

Recommended reading:
Goldsmith, A., Mark Isreal & Kathleen Daly. 2006. Crime and Justice: a guide to Criminology, 3rd edn, Sydney: Lawbook Co

Anthony, T. Cunneen, C. (2008) The Critical Criminology Companion, Federation Press, Sydney.

Broadhurst, R., & Davies, S. E. (Eds.). (2009). Policing in Context: In Introduction to Police Work in Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Hogg, R. Carrington, K (2002) Critical Criminology: Issues, debates, challenges, Whillan, Devon.

White, R. Haines, F. (2008) Crime & Criminology (Fourth Edition), Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

There will be additional recommended readings supplied throughout the semester. You are also encouraged to independently find additional resources to facilitate your learning. If you find a particularly good resource feel to bring it to the attention of your subject coordinator and/or raise some points from it in your tutorial groups. The library web site also has useful subject guides that provide you with the ability to search by each subject for relevant journals, articles, books etc. This site will also provide you with direction in sourcing the most relevant data bases and narrowing your search criteria (). This is an excellent resource that is updated regularly.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-Feb-2013