Comparative Criminology

Subject CRIM30009 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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: 1 x 1.5-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None. Completion of at least 12.5 points at second year in Criminology
Corequisites: none
Recommended Background Knowledge: 12.5 points of Level 1 and Level 2 Criminology Levels 1 & 2 Criminology
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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Natalia Hanley

Contact

to be advised

Subject Overview:

Criminology inherently is a comparative endeavour, drawing its conceptual frameworks, its objects of interest, and its tools of inquiry and discourse from an eclectic array of intellectual traditions, disciplines, histories, geographies and systems. Comparative Criminology is designed to explore the foundations and practices of comparative criminological inquiry. It establishes the various rationales for comparative inquiry, and traces the origins of formal comparative work in the writings of Herman Mannheim and others. It describes critically the tools and frameworks of comparative analysis: taxonomies of comparison. theories of modernity. theories of crime, deviance and social response. and crime, criminal justice, socio-demographic and geo-political data. And it illustrates the possibilities and limitations of comparative work through case studies in areas such as policing, juvenile justice, crime prevention, victimology, and the death penalty.

Objectives:
  • Understand the history of comparative criminological theory and practice.
  • Comprehend critically the tools and methods of analysis adopted in comparative criminological work.
  • Appreciate the strengths and limitations of comparative criminological inquiry.
  • Acquire detailed knowledge of a number of comparative case studies.
Assessment:

A take-home exam of 1500 words 35% (due mid- semester), and an essay of 2500 words 65% (due during the examination period).

Prescribed Texts:

A reading pack will be made available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

Recommended Texts:
  • Howard, G. and Newman, G. (2001) Varieties of Comparative Criminology, Brill Academic Publishers.
  • Mannheim, H. (1965) Comparative Criminology: A Text Book, Routledge &amp.amp.amp.amp.amp. Kegan Paul.
  • Reichel, P.J., 2005, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems: A Topical Approach, 4th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
  • Sheptycki, J. and Wardak, A. (eds) (2005), Transnational and Comparative Criminology, GlassHouse, London.
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.
  • Have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology Major

Download PDF version.