Course Title: Foundations of Criminology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Foundations of Criminology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

SOCU2064

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Saskia Penn

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2328

Course Coordinator Email: saskia.penn@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 04. Room 33

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course, you will examine foundational ideas in criminology. The course begins with an examination of the varying ways that crime is categorised and defined, before moving to an overview of the way crime data is collated and represented within media, policy and public discourse. The lectures focus on information that criminological research has discovered about the crime phenomenon - this includes varying typologies of crime, the characteristics of those criminalised and the concepts that shape how crime is experienced and responded to at an individual and structural level.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcome:

BP023 Bachelor of Criminal Justice

  • Assist in the identification of needs and the planning of research in the criminal justice field

BP295 Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology:

  • PLO1: Apply theory and principles of Criminology and the criminal justice system to your professional practice or further study
  • PLO2: Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on key concepts and contemporary issues within Criminology in local and international contexts.
  • PLO6: Design and conduct of criminological research projects, and apply of evidence-based research to develop solutions to criminological problems


Course Learning Outcomes

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

1. Examine and interpret contemporary representations of crime in media, policy and public discourse
2. Develop foundational data literacy by analysing crime statistics and official data sources to understand trends and patterns.
3. Identify and critically examine various typologies of crime at both individual and structural levels.
4. Analyse the role of power in shaping definitions of crime and processes of criminalisation.
5. Explain and apply an understanding of how race, class, and gender influence experiences of crime and processes of criminalisation."


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is delivered through a blend of learning activities, which include interactive workshop activities, role plays, problem solving, guest speakers, presentations, videos, online media and activities and student lead discussions.


Overview of Learning Resources

There is no set text for this course. You will be given access to a range of resources and reading materials through the Canvas student portal and RMIT's library. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own findings and sources with 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: Media Watch Analysis 30%, CLO 1, CLO 2, and CLO 3

Assessment Task 2: Critical Policy Brief 30%, CLO 3, CLO 4, and CLO 5

Assessment Task 3: Critical Case Study Analysis 40%, CLO 3, and CLO 4

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.