Punishment and Social Control

Subject 191-312 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

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

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Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures, a 1-hour tutorial for 10 weeks of the semester and a 1-hour lecture for the first and last week of semester
Total Time Commitment: .
Prerequisites: Usually 25 points of second year criminology.
Corequisites: .
Recommended Background Knowledge: .
Non Allowed Subjects: .
Core Participation Requirements: .

Coordinator

Dr Mark Brown
Subject Overview:

This subject is designed to introduce students to the major forms and structures of punishment in our society. The subject examines why we punish individuals, how we do so, and how the punishment process can be viewed in a wider social context. The first part of this subject considers the justifications for punishment and then specifically at prisons and the rapidly expanding area of community-based corrections. We then look at some 'hidden' groups in the punishment process - victims and women - before moving on to examine the work of major writers who have provided a theoretical critique of punishment and the role it plays in our society. By the end of the subject students should have a good understanding of the correctional system and be familiar with the work of important theorists like Foucault, Cohen and Hannah-Moffat.

Assessment: An essay of 2000 words 50% (due during the semester), a 1-hour class test of 1000 words 25% (due mid-semester) and a 1000 word take-home test 25% (due on the first day of the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop
Recommended Texts:

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Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • have considerable capacity for independent critical thought and self-directed learning;

  • have significant cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

  • understand complex concepts and express them lucidly in writing and orally;

  • have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively;

  • have advanced awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.
Notes:

Formerly available as 191-208/308 / 191-007 Correctional Theory and Practice. Students who have completed 191-208 /308 / 191-007 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Graduate Certificate in Criminology
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology)

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