Crime, Whiteness and Indigenous People

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

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/

This subject offers an examination of the relationship between crime, ethnicity and race. It explores, in particular, the relationship between whiteness, Indigenous status and the practices and institutions of the criminal justice system. It considers different theoretical perspectives on the processes of Indigenous criminalization and victimization, and examines specific issues such as settler racism, differential policing and access to justice. It explores criminal justice reforms through an analysis of the role of partnerships, voice and ethics.

• have developed a knowledge of how the criminal justice system operates in relation to indigenous people and whiteness.
• be able to understand a range of historical factors which influence how different social groups interact with the institutions of criminal justice.
• have developed an appreciation of different theoretical explanations within criminology in relation to issues of crime, race, whiteness and ethnicity.
• be able to conduct research and analysis which is sensitive to the intersections between class, gender, ethnicity and race in social life.
• have developed an appreciation of the complexities involved in undertaking research, designing intervention programmes and initiating anti-racist strategies as these relate to criminal justice.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

• 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.