JST205 Criminology: History and Theory (8)

Why do people offend and how should we respond to offending? Criminology: History and Theory introduces the major theoretical approaches within criminology and provides students with the theoretical tools to answer these questions. Theories about the causes of crime play a central role in criminology and in criminal justice practice. This subject examines a range of historical and contemporary approaches within criminology and considers the social and political factors that influenced their development.
 

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Bathurst Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: JST205. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

Centre for Law and Justice

Enrolment Restrictions

Student should have completed at least one JST level 1 subject.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe the major criminological theories that have influenced criminology over the last 200 years;
  • be able to explain the development of theory within political and social changes over the last 200 years;
  • be able to explain the development of contemporary criminological theory;
  • be able to evaluate contemporary criminological theories; and
  • be able to apply criminological theory to understand crime and responses to crime.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Introduction - Studying Crime
  • Classical Theory
  • Biological and Psychological Positivism
  • Sociological Positivism - Strain Theory
  • Interactionism - Labelling Theory
  • Conflict Theories
  • Gender and Crime
  • Critical Criminology
  • Realist Approaches
  • Republican Theory and Restorative Justice
  • Cultural Criminology

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of JST205 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Test 1
10
2
Annotated bibliography
20
3
Test 2
10
4
Test 3
10
5
Major essay
40
6
Test 4
10

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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