Students

PICT103 – Introduction to Criminology

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
James Martin
Contact via james.martin@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to the theory and practice of criminology. It explores definitions of crime, theories of crime and criminality and contemporary issues in criminology. With reference to relevant research and theory, the unit aims to give students an appreciation of three broad areas: What is crime? Who is a criminal? How can contemporary theory be applied to contemporary social issues?

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial/online participation 10% No Throughout semester
Online Quiz - Mid-Semester 10% No Week 7
Online Quiz - End of Semester 10% No Week 13
Annotated Bibliography 20% No Friday 17/3
Research Essay Plan 10% No Monday 1/5
Research Essay 40% No Monday 12/6

Tutorial/online participation

Due: Throughout semester
Weighting: 10%

In class or online participation (online for external students only)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;

Online Quiz - Mid-Semester

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%

Online quiz


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;

Online Quiz - End of Semester

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

Online quiz


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;

Annotated Bibliography

Due: Friday 17/3
Weighting: 20%

Annotated Bibliography


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;

Research Essay Plan

Due: Monday 1/5
Weighting: 10%

Essay Plan


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Research Essay

Due: Monday 12/6
Weighting: 40%

Research Essay


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

You should spend an average of 9 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, and preparing assessments. Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities. In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

REQUIRED READINGS

The required textbook for this unit is Crime and Justice: A Guide to Criminology, (5th edition), by Palmer, de Lint and Dalton (eds.), Thompson Reuters. The textbook is available at the University Bookshop.

The citations for all other required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site. Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement. This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date. Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process. The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convener or nominated delegate such as a tutor. Any requests for extensions must be before the due date for the submission of the assessment task. Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late. For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20). The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page. Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure. If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%). The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately.

Unit Schedule

Module 1 - Introduction to criminology

Module 2 - Measuring crime

Module 3 - Crime in the news

Module 4 - The criminal mind

Module 5 - The criminal world

Module 6 - Serious assault and homicide

Module 7 - Youth crime

Module 8 - Gender and crime

Module 9 - Race and crime

Module 10 - Illicit drugs and crime

Module 11 - Gangs and gangsters

Module 12 - Crimes of the powerful

Module 13 - Environmental crime

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment task

  • Research Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz - Mid-Semester
  • Online Quiz - End of Semester
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial/online participation
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and distinguish between major criminological theories, e.g. strain theory, differential association, biological positivism;
  • Research and locate different academic sources and express judgement about their validity;
  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial/online participation
  • Research Essay Plan
  • Research Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Engage in informed criminological discussion with criminology staff and other students;
  • Analyse and demonstrate critical understanding of major criminological theories with regard to particular types of criminal offence.

Assessment task

  • Research Essay

Changes since First Published

Date Description
19/02/2017 Dear Ben and Yves, Just a minor change in the resources section to include information about the updated textbook to be used this semester. Best, James