Unit Outline

This is a foundational unit in Criminology. You will focus on criminological approaches to understanding crime and criminalisation. The unit will introduce various categories of crime (e.g. property crime and violent crime) and debates about what counts as crime and harm (e.g. crimes of the powerful versus the less powerful). You will engage not only with research that highlights patterns of crime but also with important critiques about the measurement of crime. The unit invites you to consider the relationships between specific social groups (e.g. young people, women, Indigenous people) and the criminal justice system.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

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


1	Apply criminological terms and concepts in the study of crime and criminal justice.
2	Explain specific crimes and crime categories, with awareness of relevant measurement issues.
3	Analyse the power relations and inequalities associated with criminalisation processes.
4	Communicate your ideas clearly in verbal and written forms.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Mind Map	Week 6	20 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Essay plan & Annotated bibliography	Week 7	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Essay	Week 13	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Learning log (15%) and in-class or online participation (10%)	Refer to Assessment Description	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Mind Map

Task Description:

You will create a mind map based on content from Weeks 1-5. Details of the assessment and requirements will be posted on MyLo.

Task Length:

800 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain your chosen topic and identify links between it and crime types	LO2
2	Create visually engaging content that clearly communicates ideas in a written format.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Essay plan & Annotated bibliography

Task Description:

You will complete an annotated bibliography of two readings and outline your plan for your essay (AT3) that is due in Week 13. You should present your reference list in Harvard or APA style.

Task Length:

1200 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply criminological terms and concepts correctly throughout annotation.	LO1
2	Select references that are appropriate to the topic, and demonstrate awareness of the strengths and limitations of those sources.	LO2
3	Critically reflect on the value of the sources to the topic and how these will be used in essay.	LO4
4	Use appropriate academic referencing and high quality references.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Essay

Task Description:

You will write an essay based on one of the prompts supplied on MyLO and using feedback from AT2 to help guide your essay writing. Details of the assessment requirements will be available on MyLO.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define and apply key criminological terms and concepts in the study of crime and criminal justice	LO1
2	Explain specific crime and crime categories relevant to essay topic and showed awareness of relevant measurement issues.	LO2
3	Analyse the criminalisation of ILO3 particular social groups, and the limits and possibilities of its various responses to crime.	LO3
4	Justify your own position on key debates in the study of crime and criminal justice, with reference to relevant sources that are appropriately resourced.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Learning log (15%) and in-class or online participation (10%)

Task Description:

You will be required to complete a learning log (like a diary) from Week 3 through to Week 12. The learning log is due at the end of Week 12. Details about what the requirements are for this portion of your participation mark will be posted on MyLO.

Task Length:

Learning log: 1,000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply criminological terms and concepts correctly.	LO1
2	Define specific crimes and crime types with an awareness of issues related to measure of these crimes.	LO2
3	Analyse how individuals and social groups are criminalised and examine how this affects offending behaviours .	LO3
4	Communicate ideas related to criminological study succinctly and convincingly, and persuasively justify positions while also demonstrating active listening.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.