Judging Crime

This subject is not offered in 2012.

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Criminology at Undergraduate level

191-541 Judging Crime

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 is about the punishment of offenders. It examines how judges decide what sentences should be imposed on offenders. This is partly determined by sentencing law and partly by the judges" own sense of justice. public opinion also plays a role. This course discusses what sentences ought to be imposed in the interests of justice. What is considered right will depend on what it is hoped to be achieved by imposing the sanctions, such as deterrence as against rehabilitation. also relevant is what makes a case more or less serious. There are also the perennial sentencing problems - inadequate law, disparity between judges, and a community poorly informed about sentencing. And certain groups are said to pose special problems: indigenous offenders, drug offenders, female offenders, for example. Finally this subject examines research in sentencing particularly in relation to public opinion, deterrence and rehabilitation. As a result of this course, students should understand the main elements of the sentencing process, be able to identify problematic aspects of sentencing, and have a foundation for proposing solutions to these problems.

• be able to understand the operation of the Victorian sentencing system.
• be able to examine research relevant to the operation of the sentencing system.
• be able to develop a critical approach to the understanding of sentencing.

An essay of 5000 words (100%) due 4 weeks after the end of the intenisve period.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

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

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• have highly developed cognitive, analytic and problem-solving skills.
• have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally.
• have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
• have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.