CRIM 700 : Research in Criminology

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the methods of research frequently employed in the field of criminology, and the various epistemological and ethical questions that arise in criminological research, and the connection between theory and research and quantitative and qualitative analytic strategies. Students will complete a research project under supervision.

Course Overview

This course begins by exploring the overarching logics and foundations that shape research processes. It examines the core principles of research design before discussing particular methods of research that are frequently employed in the field of criminology and related disciplines. The course will enable students to critically understand, explore and apply differing qualitative research methods such as indigenous research paradigms, discourse analysis, semiotics, ideology critique, a critique of political economy, radical constructivism and digital methods. Students will be expected to complete a small research project based upon unobtrusive methods at the end of the course. 

Course objectives: 

By the end of this course, the students should:

  • Understand various methods through examples of their application
  • Feel prepared to utilize methods in creative ways
  • Possess the ability to develop research methods to investigate criminological problems 
  • Understand how research methods are directly related to the conclusions that one can make
  • Understand how research methods are directly related to the types of questions one can pose and styles of argumentation

To achieve the course objectives listed above you will need to:

  • Attend each weekly class
  • Read and understand each assigned reading
  • Participate in class discussions 
  • Submit a brief research proposal
  • Write 1 methodological critique
  • Write up a brief research project

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of research methods through examples of their application (Capability 1.1)
  2. Understand and apply knowledge of various research methods to investigate criminological problems (Capability 1.2 and 3.2)
  3. Critically examine various research methods and identify the gaps in the field (Capability 2.1)
  4. Be able to undertake an independent research project (Capability 2.2 and 5.1)
  5. Understand how constructing a research project requires self-reflexivity and accountability. (Capability 5.2 and 6.1)
  6. Understand and articulate their ideas with coherence and clarity (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research proposal 25% Individual Coursework
Methodology critique 25% Individual Coursework
Research Project 50% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours on it.  Of this time, the course has an allotted 3 hours of class time, around 9 hours should be spent on reading, and 8 hours per week should be spent on assessment tasks.


Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 05/07/2020 02:53 p.m.