Crime and Culture

Subject 191-315 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Recommended: 12.5 points of Level 1 and Level 2 Criminology
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Prof Alison Young

Contact

Prof. Alison Young
ayoung@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: Cinema and television have become immensely popular and influential cultural forms. This subject investigates the relationship between crime and culture by focusing on representations of crime and justice in film and television. The subject considers these representations in the context of recent debates about the cultural construction of crime in criminology, socio-legal studies, cultural studies and film theory. It will develop the skills necessary for analyzing images of crime and justice in film and television and will also examine a number of case studies (including television crime drama; trial movies; the cultural fascination with the serial killer; youth culture, hip hop and graffiti; and the cinematic depiction of violence and gender).
Objectives:
  • receive an introduction to a range of theories and methods concerning crime and culture;
  • be able to comprehend examples of the cultural construction of crime;
  • be able to comprehend both the cultural dimensions of criminology and criminal justice which influence the response to crime and criminality and cultural representations of crime in popular culture (such as the news media, film and literature).
Assessment:

A written essay of 2000 words (50%) due mid-semester and a written essay of 2000 words (50%) due during the examination period; OR

A written essay of 4000 words on a topic set by the coordinator or on the student's selected topic in consultation with the coordinator (100%) due during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
  • have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.
Notes:

Formerly available as 191-428 and 191-315. students who have completed 191-428 or 191-315 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject
Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Graduate Certificate in Criminology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology and Social Theory
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology Major
Gender Studies
Social Theory
Social Theory Major
Socio-legal Studies Major

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