Research and Criminal Justice Governance

Subject CRIM90011 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: This subject will be delivered intensively from 9.00am to 5.00pm on 7, 8, 9, 10 July 2014.
Total Time Commitment:

120 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Criminology at Undergraduate level

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/

Contact

Dr. Stuart Ross rosssr1@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

How effective are criminal justice interventions in changing individual behaviour, reducing opportunities for crime, and increasing public safety? Why is there so much emphasis by government on the impact of criminal justice programs, and how does this affect the design and funding of criminal justice programs? What does this focus on effectiveness mean for research and evaluation priorities and methods? This subject examines the research evidence about the effectiveness and impacts of selected policies, the policy framework that determines what kind of interventions are selected by government, and the research methodologies of criminal justice program evaluation. Case studies include home detention, juvenile diversion and conferencing, offender mentoring, drug treatment, release support programs, and crime prevention programs. In addition, the course will examine professional and political issues about the role and application of evaluations in criminal justice. The program will include guest lectures from people involved in delivering or evaluating criminal justice programs. As part of the program students will undertake group work to design an evaluation study.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • have obtained knowledge of a range of evaluative assessments regarding the effectiveness of criminological interventions;
  • have developed a framework for assessing the adequacy of criminological evaluations in terms of the questions being asked, the designed being employed, and the measures used in the evaluation.
Assessment:

A class presentation (20%) scheduled during the intensive teaching period, and an essay of 4000 words (80%) due at the end of August. Students should choose a criminal justice program and critically assess evaluations of this kind of program. Issues to be addressed will include: Effectiveness principles for the program. Evaluation aims and questions. Methodology, including research design, data sources, analysis methods. Professional and political issues that may arise in the course of an evaluation.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available online via the subject LMS site.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • 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 Course(s): Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics)
Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Ethics
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Ethics
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics
100 Point Master of Criminology
150 Point Master of Criminology
200 Point Master of Criminology
200 points Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics
Criminology
Criminology
Socio-Legal Studies

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