Students

PICT888 – Advanced Criminology Theory

2019 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alex Simpson
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrim or MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
PICX888
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:

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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar/online participation 15% No Throughout semester
Policy brief 35% No Week 8
Essay 50% No Week 13

Seminar/online participation

Due: Throughout semester
Weighting: 15%

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


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

Policy brief

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 35%

Theoretical analysis and application.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories.
  • 2. Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues.
  • 4. Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%

Theoretical synthesis and evaluation of criminal issue.


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

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums 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 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 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.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

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 is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

 

 

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: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

 

Unit Schedule

 

Week 1:               Introduction: What is theory?

 

Contemporary Criminological Theory

Week 2:               Positivistic Studies

Week 3:               Social Learning Theory

Week 4:               Control Theories

Week 5:               Labelling Perspectives

Week 6:               Feminist Perspectives

Week 7:               Integrative Criminology

 

New Directions in Criminological Theory

Week 8:               Developmental Perspectives

Week 9:               Cultural Criminology

Week 10:             Critical Race Theory

Week 11:             Governmental Criminology

Week 12:             Green Criminology and Global Criminology

Week 13:             Towards a Victimological Theory

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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 outcomes

  • 3. Apply a synthesised understanding of contemporary criminology theories to explain the development of criminal issues of domestic or transnational significance.
  • 4. Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar/online participation
  • 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

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

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar/online participation
  • Policy brief
  • 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

  • 1. Critically analyse, evaluate and compare a range of contemporary criminology theories.
  • 2. Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues.
  • 4. Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar/online participation
  • Policy brief
  • 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 outcome

  • 2. Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate domestic and transnational criminal issues.

Assessment task

  • 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 outcome

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

Assessment tasks

  • Policy brief
  • 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:

Assessment task

  • Policy brief