Drugs and Justice

Subject CRIM40003 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (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: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks.
Total Time Commitment: Not available

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate certificate/ diploma or fourth-year honours in criminology, socio-legal studies or sociology, Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy and Management or Master of Social Policy.

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Criminology or Sociology 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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Steve James

Contact

Assoc. Prof. Steve James

spj@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject introduces students to a range of historical and contemporary issues surrounding the measurement of drug use and the popular and scientific construction of the health, crime and social consequences of drug use. The subject is concerned with the relationships between various constructions of drug phenomena and the policies and practices of drug control. The subject critically addresses issues and techniques involved in demand-reduction (education and treatment) and supply-reduction (law enforcement). At the completion of the subject, students should be able to recognise and explain contemporary discourses on health, harm, crime and public policy related to drug use.
Objectives:	understand the broad historical and contemporary patterns of drug use in Australia. demonstrate an awareness of methodological issues in the acquisition of knowledge about drug use and its consequences. identify the broad historical, social and political factors which have influenced drug control policies and practices. recognise and explain contemporary discourses on health, harm, crime and public policy related to drug use.
Assessment:	A 1500 word take-home test (30%) due mid-semester, and an essay of 3500 words (70%) due at the end of semester.
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
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 Course(s):	Master of Criminology (CWT) Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework) Master of Social Policy
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Criminology Criminology Socio-Legal studies Socio-legal Studies Sociology Sociology Sociology

Download PDF version.