Course Title: Contemporary Criminology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Contemporary Criminology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

SOCU2116

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024

SOCU2118

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007

Course Coordinator: Peta Malins

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2110

Course Coordinator Email: peta.malins@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 4

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course, you will learn about the contemporary reality of crime and the problems posed for criminal justice agencies, criminologists and society at large. The course will bring together the current debates, research concepts, criminological theories, and practical problems that engage criminology and justice professionals in these areas. Topics will vary according to issues currently shaping criminology and justice.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  1. Apply critically reflective thought and analytical thinking to problems related to crime management and criminal justice systems in local and international contexts
  2. Reflect on and implement ethical practice and social responsibility in diverse criminal justice settings
  3. Contextualise specific criminal justice-based knowledge according to socially and culturally diverse environments  


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Compare the impact of different theoretical approaches to criminology on policy formation in criminal justice institutions;
  2. Analyse the application of theory to contemporary criminological problems;
  3. Research and critique criminal justice responses to crime and associated social phenomena with reference to major criminological theories
  4. Identify and apply concepts appropriate to answering different types of criminological research questions and locate these within existing literature and policy contexts


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include interactive activities focusing on group-based discussion and problem solving tasks. Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which may include lectures and online media. You will also further refine your academic skills in analytical reading and academic writing. 

You are expected to actively contribute to the construction of a supportive learning environment, in which peer-based learning is an important component. In order to develop your knowledge and skills, you are expected to participate in interactive discussions and activities and to critical engage with the weekly reading materials. 


Overview of Learning Resources

Resources will be available through the Canvas student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Essay, 50%, CLO1 - CLO4 

Assessment Task 2: Exam, 50%, CLO1 – CLO4 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.