Students

PICX8088 – Advanced Criminology Theory

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alex Simpson
alex.simpson@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
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 or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or (10cps at 6000 level or 10cps 8000 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

What is criminological theory, and how can it help us better understand and respond to complex social challenges? Theory is vital to understanding and addressing the social conditions that give rise to crime. The perspectives we adopt are not neutral—they shape the questions we ask, the evidence we value, and the solutions we pursue. This unit encourages students to apply, compare, and synthesise diverse theoretical approaches to contemporary social problems, highlighting how the theoretical lens we adopt fundamentally shapes how we interpret, explain, and respond to issues of crime and justice. This unit traces the development of criminological theory, from foundational ideas about rationality and punishment, through mid-century approaches to social order, to contemporary perspectives that interrogate power, culture, and inequality. Students will examine how these theories emerged in response to particular social conditions, how they continue to shape understandings of crime and justice, and how they influence the ways we construct responses to contemporary challenges. Students will be able to critically apply and evaluate criminological theories in relation to contemporary issues, demonstrating an ability to synthesise perspectives, contextualise ideas, and develop theoretically informed responses.

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:

  • ULO1: Critically analyse, evaluate, and compare a range of criminological theories. 
  • ULO2: Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate key crime and justice issues.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate a critical understanding of criminological theory and its potential to shape new responses to crime.
  • ULO4: Apply a synthesised understanding of criminological theory to explain the development of key crime and justice issues. 
  • ULO5: Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional writing 40% No Week 7 Individual No Open
Pitch 20% No Week 5 Individual No Open
Visual Presentation 40% No Week 13 Individual No Open

Professional writing

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Student will create a public interest article addressing a contemporary crime and justice issue. (800 words)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate key crime and justice issues.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of criminological theory and its potential to shape new responses to crime.
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Pitch

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Student will create a pitch proposing a public interest article addressing a contemporary crime and justice issue. (500 words)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Employ independent research skills and disciplinary knowledge to evaluate key crime and justice issues.
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

Visual Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will compare three criminological theories explored in the unit to evaluate the criminological concerns shown within one of the unit films. (15 mins)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse, evaluate, and compare a range of criminological theories. 
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of criminological theory and its potential to shape new responses to crime.
  • Apply a synthesised understanding of criminological theory to explain the development of key crime and justice issues. 
  • Effectively communicate advanced disciplinary knowledge in both written and oral formats.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

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 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER  

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.05 of the Handbook