Crimes of the Powerful

Subject 191-314 (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 2, - 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 or Sociology
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

Assoc Prof Fiona Sally Haines

Contact

Fiona Haines
fsh@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject analyses the crimes and harms of the powerful. It explores the types of harm: financial, physical and environmental that are perpetrated by government corporations and individual white-collar offenders. Various case studies of governmental corporate and white-collar crime such as complex financial fraud, industrial disasters, professional misconduct and tax avoidance are used to demonstrate the challenges associated with deciding whether harmful behaviour by the powerful should be defined as crime and the difficulties inherent in using criminal law to curb such activities. Students will explore a range of criminological theories that can help explain the harms perpetuated by the powerful as well as the techniques employed by the state in regulating white-collar and corporate misconduct.
Objectives:
  • have an understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, occupation or corporate criminality;
  • have an appreciation of the importance of corporate criminality in the context of social life of the community;
  • have an understanding of the forms of individual business or occupational crime, including such forms of financial crime as insider trading;
  • have learned some of the problems which concern the regulation of white collar crime, including the features of law which cause particular problems in the control of corporate misconduct.
Assessment: A group presentation (15%), an essay of 2500 words (3000 words for fourth year students) 60% (due mid-semester) and a take-home exam of 1000 words 25% (due at the end of semester).
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;
  • have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Notes:

Formerly available as 191-417 'Corporate and White Collar Crime' and 191-314. Students who have completed 191-417 or 191-314 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject
Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Diploma in Arts (Sociology)
Graduate Certificate in Criminology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies Major
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology Major
Socio-legal Studies Major
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology Major

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