Students

PICT888 – Advanced Criminology Theory

2018 – S1 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sharon Hayes
Contact via 0404015482
by appointment
Yves-Heng Lim
Rolando Ochoa Hernandez
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrim or MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICT or MPICT or MIntSecStud or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or GradDipIntSecStud
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to advanced contemporary criminology theory. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between crime and social, political, cultural and economic processes and institutions. Topics included in the unit include: left and right realism, cultural criminology, opportunity and deterrence theories.

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:

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar/online participation 10% Yes Weeks 1-13
Mid-semester quiz 10% No Week 7
Minor essay 20% No Week 7
End of semester quiz 10% No Week 13
Major essay 50% No Week 13

Seminar/online participation

Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Compulsory attendance and participation in weekly seminar discussions (or online forum discussion for external students).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Mid-semester quiz

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%

Online quiz on lecture contact from module 1-7


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Minor essay

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Theoretical analysis


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

End of semester quiz

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

Online quiz on lecture contact from module 8-13


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Major essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%

Criminal issue and theory synthesis


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to pre-recorded lectures prior to seminar discussions and reading weekly required readings detailed in iLearn.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar sessions and external students are expected to contribute to on-line discussions.
  • Students are required to submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's Library EReserve site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed at the EReserve site.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a PDF or 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.  Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task.  Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html#purpose).

 

 

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 do not include references, 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 he 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 (http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html). This process involves all assignments submitted for that unit being reassessed. However, in exceptional cases students may request that a single piece of work is reassessed.

Unit Schedule

1. Introduction and classical criminology

2. Positivist biology

3. Positivist psychology

4. Functionalism

5. The Chicago School

6. Sub-cultures and cultural criminology

7. Control theories

8. Interactionism and labelling theory

9. Radical and critical criminology

10. Left and right realism

11. Contemporary classicism

12. Feminist criminology

13. Future directions

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance

Assessment task

  • Major essay

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar/online participation
  • Mid-semester quiz
  • Minor essay
  • End of semester quiz
  • Major essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar/online participation
  • Minor essay
  • Major essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance

Assessment task

  • Major essay