Students

CRIM3002 – Criminological Futures

2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kate Gleeson
kate.gleeson@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CRIM3001 AND 40 credit points at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In a rapidly changing world shaped by social change and, increasingly, crisis, criminological analysis is of increased importance, providing a critical, applied and ethical response to an ever wider and complex set of social, economic and political challenges. Utilising a wealth knowledge, theories and approaches, this unit undertakes a problem-based approach whereby students apply their skills to tackle an open-ended problem that mirrors real-world challenges. In thinking about how criminological research has explored and interrogated recent ruptures and their impact on the world at large and on disadvantaged and marginalised constituencies, this unit intentionally and purposefully looks outward rather than inward, towards the new frontiers of criminological concern. Focusing on contemporary social change, potential topics include concerns connected to security, the environment, migration and refugees, the economy, disasters, prison industrialisation as well as rapidly increasing inequality and injustice for marginalised communities. Such problems rarely exist in isolation, rather multiple and overlapping impacts that frame ethical questions of justice, inclusion and recognition. In completing this unit, students will be able to demonstrate their wealth of knowledge, applying their skills beyond the classroom, preparing them for the workplace.

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: Apply criminological analysis and relevant social theories to address a proposed criminological topic.
  • ULO2: Integrate an understanding of relevant criminological theories and concepts to address a contemporary challenge or problem.
  • ULO3: Synthesise and communicate complex criminological concepts, findings and solutions to a variety of audiences.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate the ability to successfully collaborate in response to contemporary challenges across the criminal justice system.
  • ULO5: Using a problem-based approach, apply relevant skills and knowledge to organise, plan and deliver a response to criminological issues.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Video Pitch 20% No 21/08/2026 Individual No Open
Campaign Plan 30% No 18/09/2026 Individual No Open
Campaign Report 50% No 06/11/2026 Individual No Open

Video Pitch

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 21/08/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will create a 5-minute pitch for a reform campaign response to their selected criminological issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Integrate an understanding of relevant criminological theories and concepts to address a contemporary challenge or problem.
  • Synthesise and communicate complex criminological concepts, findings and solutions to a variety of audiences.

Campaign Plan

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 18/09/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will submit a 1500 word plan for their campaign response. Building on their earlier pitch, as well as the feedback they received, students will complete a plan for their campaign. Students will be required to incorporate theoretical frameworks from across the unit in their plan.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply criminological analysis and relevant social theories to address a proposed criminological topic.
  • Integrate an understanding of relevant criminological theories and concepts to address a contemporary challenge or problem.
  • Demonstrate the ability to successfully collaborate in response to contemporary challenges across the criminal justice system.
  • Using a problem-based approach, apply relevant skills and knowledge to organise, plan and deliver a response to criminological issues.

Campaign Report

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will submit a finalised campaign strategy document. Totaling 3000 words, the campaign report will build upon the first two assessments, as well as relevant feedback in responding to their criminological issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply criminological analysis and relevant social theories to address a proposed criminological topic.
  • Integrate an understanding of relevant criminological theories and concepts to address a contemporary challenge or problem.
  • Synthesise and communicate complex criminological concepts, findings and solutions to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrate the ability to successfully collaborate in response to contemporary challenges across the criminal justice system.
  • Using a problem-based approach, apply relevant skills and knowledge to organise, plan and deliver a response to criminological issues.

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

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. 

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' plagiarism 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.  A Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic for the student.

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS 

  • Stated word limits do not include the bibliogrpahy or reference list. 

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER 

  • Macquarie University operates a Final Grade Appeal procedure as part of the Assessment policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=277
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal procedure, individual assesment tasks are not subject to regrading. 

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY 

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner through the Ilearn site. However, messages will not be answered over the weekend or public holiday period. 
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide, look at instructions posted on the iLearn site, and engage the student discussion board (where appropriate) before sending messages requests to staff.

 

 

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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 2026.03 of the Handbook