The New Punitiveness?

Subject CRIM40005 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2010.
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, Socio-Legal Studies or Sociology at Undergraduate level
Non Allowed Subjects: 191-531 Penal Policy and Practice
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. Mark Brown

markmb@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on the idea that since the 1970s there has been a rise in punitiveness right across the developed nations of the west. The subject asks students to identify and understand the different domains in which punitiveness might reside and have notionally been increased. It will introduce students to key debates within contemporary criminology concerning the extent, substance and reasons for changes in punitiveness. The subject will explore through a series of case studies the experiences of nations that have seen apparent rises in punitiveness as well as countervailing cases, such as in the Scandanavian countries and Canada, which seem to have escaped the trend. On completion of the subject students should have an understanding of both the data and explanatory and theoretical arguments concerning what has been seen as a major defining feature of most western nations&amp.amp.amp.amp.rsquo. recent history: the inexorable rise of punitive attitudes and practices.
Objectives:
  • understand the various ways in which punishment, or punitiveness more braadly, has changed in western nations since the 1970s.
  • be able to identify punitive and non-punitive states.
  • be capable to explain the main arguments relating to punitive intent across a range of "justice" sectors, from the courts to prisons and new penal domains, such as anti-terrorist initiatives.
Assessment: A Policy brief of 2000 words (40%) due four weeks after the intensive, and an Essay of 3000 words (60%) due four weeks later.
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:
  • to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
  • apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
  • be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively;
  • to develop cross-cultural understanding.
Notes:
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

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