Drugs and Justice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours

Criminology or Sociology at Undergraduate level

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 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.

On completion of this subject students should:

• 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.

A 1500 word preliminary essay (30%) due mid-semester, and a research essay of 3500 words (70%) due at the end of semester.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class 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.

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

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• 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.