CRIM 703 : Contemporary Criminology

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An examination of critical approaches to the study of crime and crime control. Attention will be given to understanding how these approaches critically assess social problems surrounding crime and crime control strategies; the political, social and historical development of varying critical perspectives; and the ways in which such approaches may lead to changes in criminal justice policies and practices.

Course Overview

This course explores a global south perspective on different contemporary criminological and criminal justice issues. Using the reflexive method, alongside a ‘governmentality’ approach to crime and crime control, we probe contemporary criminological problems such as 'climate change' governance, border controls, the war on drugs and terror, and structural racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia in state law and justice institutions. To help ground our theoretical knowledge of justice institutions, we will visit a courtroom and/or prison.  

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. Be able to display advanced knowledge and understanding of scholarship, essential content and significance of their chosen fields of study. (Capability 1.1)
  2. Be able to work independently, able to define, contextualize and address questions or problems, informed by multi- and/or interdisciplinary knowledge.
  3. Be able to identify and evaluate at an advanced level, the premises, conditions and contexts of knowledge claims and information sources
  4. Be able to construct reasoned, reflexive arguments and interpretations using valid, sophisticated evidence to justify claims and conclusions. (Capability 2.3)
  5. Be able to define complex problems with regard to their significance, ethical implications, and real-world challenges, using advanced skills in the analysis of social and cultural data. (Capability 3.1)
  6. Be able to interact and collaborate with individuals and groups as part of a scholarly community to advance knowledge, while showing capacity to take account of opposing views. (Capability 4.3)
  7. Be able to express and present complex information and ideas clearly, coherently, and persuasively in a variety of forms to diverse audiences. (Capability 4.2)
  8. Be able to demonstrate honesty and integrity and to engage in independent, ethical decision-making and action. (Capability 5.1)
  9. Be able to exercise and promote rights and fulfil responsibilities as informed, ethical, and engaged citizens contributing to sustainable social, economic, and natural environments and in honour of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. (Capability 6.1 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Key Concept & Question Answer #1 5% Individual Coursework
Key Concept & Question Answer #2 5% Individual Coursework
Key Concept & Question Answer #3 5% Individual Coursework
Key Concept & Question Answer #4 5% Individual Coursework
Key Concept & Question Answer #5 5% Individual Coursework
Annotated Bibliography 10% Individual Coursework
Reflexive Narrative 20% Individual Coursework
Oral Presentation & Q and A participation 15% Individual Coursework
Essay 30% Individual Coursework

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 meetings, 14 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities 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 required for the quizzes.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly delivery.

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.

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.

Based on feedback from students this year, students in the coming year will be encouraged to view film documentaries prior to coming to class, with only specific segments to be shown in class to help facilitate full class or small group discussion.

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 08/11/2022 08:15 a.m.