Criminology Special Topics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 Hours

Admission into the 274AB Master of Criminology

Students completing the MC-IR Master of International Relations program need permission from the subject coordinator to enrol in this subject

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject engages with critical and contemporary issues in the field of Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. Focusing on a special topic of key criminological and socio-legal interest, this subject will enable students to broaden and deepen their understanding of contemporary areas of criminological and socio-legal research, policy and practice. This will be achieved through intensive one-off courses offered by local and international visitors with specialist expertise in the particular issues.

2016 Topic

February: Conflict, International Crimes and Migration

Conflicts often foster the perpetration of international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Conflicts almost by definition lead to forced migration. Combining insights from criminology, migration studies, refugee law and international criminal law, this interdisciplinary subject analyses the interplay between conflict, international crimes and irregular migration. By discussing the background of current conflicts, immigration policies and practices of irregular migration the first part of this subject focuses on questions why people migrate and how they migrate. Next, the subject questions who migrates, thereby giving particular attention to the notion that alleged perpetrators of international crimes might hide amongst asylum seekers to find a safe haven abroad. We will discuss how these fugitives from justice are identified, to what extent they are prosecuted and whether or not the international community is willing to reintegrate these individuals in society.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• develop their understanding of a special topic in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies; and
• be able to conduct research in this topic area; and
• be able to critically analyse key debates and issues in this topic area; and
• gain a deeper understanding of criminological and / or socio-legal theory and practice.

• 1,000-word assignment (20%), due at the end of the first week of teaching
• 4,000-word research essay, with informal class presentation on essay topic (80%), due four weeks after end of subject teaching

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an intensively-taught subject, attendance is compulsory at all Lectures/Seminars. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

The subject coordinator will provide a list of required readings.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Student who successfully complete this subject should:

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