Criminal Law and Political Justice

Subject CRIM20002 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, 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: Thirty contact hours per semester. 2 x one hour lectures and 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Criminology at Level 1
Non Allowed Subjects: 191-221 Critical Criminal Law
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

Prof Alison Young

Contact

Prof Alison Young: ayoung@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Criminal law has a central importance in criminology, since it is the criminal law which determines the legality or illegality of behaviours. This subject studies social and political dimensions of the criminal law as it governs institutional processes and the construction of criminality. The first section of the course covers differences in the ways that criminal law and criminology construct social issues as crime, with particular emphasis on the legal processes of criminal justice. The next three sections provide substantive examinations of different aspects of the social and political dimensions of criminal law with particular emphasis on topical areas currently subject to contestation and change: the regulation of public space; the media as an aspect of the construction of crime and as a problem to be regulated; and the role of law in political conflict and post-atrocity situations.
Objectives: On completion of this subject, students should:
  • be familiar with the processes and categories of criminal law.
  • be able to describe and analyse some ways of regulating crime through criminal law.
  • understand the political and social dimensions of the institutions and practices of criminal law.
  • be able to explain the role and construction of gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity in the criminal law.
Assessment:

Two essays of 2000 words (50% each), one due mid-semester, and one due during the examination period.

This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% Tutorial attendance. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment or sit the final examination. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase 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 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:

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology Major
Socio-legal Studies Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Law and Justice

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