CRIM 701 : Criminological Theory

Arts

2022 Semester Two (1225) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An examination of classical and contemporary theories of crime, including sociological, psychological, medical, rational-choice and critical perspectives on criminology. Attention will be given to the construction of theory as it is informed by social science research; to the social, cultural and political contexts in which these theories have emerged; and to the influence of theories in criminal justice policies.

Course Overview

In this course we will evaluate the leading theories of criminal behaviour, with particular focus on theoretical assumptions about human nature and social institutions, and considering the policy implications that flow from these theories.

This 30-point postgraduate course should not be too burdensome in terms of lengthy readings (with the possible exception of weeks two and three), but you will need to think carefully about the readings. You will be expected to have a sound command of each week’s reading assignments and to participate actively in class discussions. There will two cumulative in-class quizzes. Additionally, you will be asked to prepare three short reflection papers and a longer (6,000 word) analytical essay.

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 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe competing theories of criminal conduct (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 4.1)
  2. Explain how criminological theories influence public policy decisions (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 4.3 and 6.3)
  3. Identify and critically evaluate relevant scholarship on criminological theory and apply it in practice

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reflections 25% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 25% Individual Coursework
Essay 50% Individual Coursework
This course is assessed through three interrelated measures: (1) three reflection papers – each of these must be 1000 words in length or less (25% of your overall grade), (2) two in-class quizzes, covering the assigned readings for the cumulative five weeks (25% of your grade), and (3) a 6,000 word analytical essay (worth 50% of your grade). I use a point system, in which 100.0 points are available for this course.

Reflection Papers (25%): You will be assessed on the basis of three reflection papers to be submitted throughout this course. These are neither research essays nor extended descriptions, but are expected to be thoughtful, critical responses to assigned readings. They must be 1000 words in length or less (the writing should be muscular and lean: every word should count). I will provide you with an example at our first meeting.

Quizzes (25%): You will be assessed on two quizzes that will probe your familiarity with the readings. For each quiz, you will have 60 minutes to answer 10-20 short questions and respond to one essay prompt. The purpose of the quizzes is to incentivise student reading – for those who have done the reading, the quizzes should be very straightforward (and an easy way to earn points) while it will be difficult for those who have not done the readings to bluff their way through it.

Analytical Essay (50%): You will be asked to submit a 6,000 word analytical essay that will involve synthesising multiple topics and conducting independent research. You will be asked to relate one or two criminological theories to one or two feature films – the specific assignment will be provided for you in Week 5 (alternatively, you can propose your own theory/film combination and – if approved – write on that topic).

Module

Introduction: What theory? Why theory?

Classical and routine activities theories

Biological theories 

Psychological theories

Social disorganization, anomie and strain theories

Control theories 

Labelling and related theories

Conflict and Marxist theories

Feminist and life-course theories

Cultural criminology

After theory

So what? Toward a public criminology

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of seminar discussion, approximately 10-12 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminar meetings to complete components of the course.
Seminars will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is not required for the assessments.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a [standard weekly timetable/block delivery].

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Learning 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.

Because the library has full-text access to some of the leading criminological theory handbooks via the SAGE Reference database, there will be no need for you to purchase any texts for this course. For the assigned handbook chapters, simply go to the library website (http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/). Select “databases” under “Find” (in the left panel). Select “SAGE Reference Online” and press connect. Then search for “SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory.” Most of your readings, which can be read online or downloaded as pdfs, will come from this source. We will also use two books in the public domain (from Google Books and Project Gutenberg):

Cesare Beccaria (1872). An Essay on Crimes and Punishments. Albany: W. O. Little & Co., available at: https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=PX4aAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false.

Gina Lombroso-Ferrero (1911). Criminal Man: According to the Classification of Cesare Lombroso. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, available at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29895/29895-h/29895-h.htm.

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.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2021 03:44 p.m.