Criminology 2 LAWS3343

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.

Credit: 6 points Availability: not available in 2009 Old unit code: 200.343

Outcomes: Students are able to (1) have a better understanding of the content and methodology of criminology; (2) increase their knowledge of the major methodological problems in describing and explaining crime and criminal behaviour such as the definition and measurement of crime; (3) research in depth an area of criminology; (4) provide constructive feedback on research presented by other students; and (5) present their own research before their peers.

Content: This unit provides students an advanced study in criminology in Western Australia. It extends a more basic study of criminology such as that provided in LAWS3342 Criminology I. The unit is taught by staff at the Crime Research Centre. Using examples of contemporary research on issues related to crime and criminal justice, presenters from the Crime Research Centre discuss with students the way research is designed, conducted and prepared for publication. The various facilitators and obstacles to research are discussed as well as the various ways research findings are possibly useful in informing policy and shifting practice within the criminal justice system.

The three key objectives of the unit are to (1) gain familiarity with the practice of criminological research; (2) gain familiarity with some of the major areas of contemporary criminological research in Western Australia; and (3) apply the knowledge and skills gained through the present unit and earlier criminology units to a chosen topic of current concern.

In the first part of the semester, three hours a week are set aside for lectures. In the second part of the semester students are guided in their efforts to conduct their own criminological research. Students present papers on their chosen area of research during teaching seminars.

Assessment: Students are required to give a class presentation on an area of research, write a 5000-word research paper and attend and participate in lectures.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Co-ordinator(s): Dr David Indermaur

Location: UWA (Crawley)

Mode: on-campus

Unit Rules:

Prerequisites: LAWS3342 Criminology I

Contact hours—lectures: 3 hrs per week in the first part of the semester; seminars: 3 hrs per week in the latter part of the semester

Unit Web Page: http://www.uwa.edu.au/page/61945 (only for enrolled students)

Note: Some unit web pages are still under construction and will be available in 2009.

Recommended Reading

Maguire, M. et al., edsÂ The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 3rd ed.: OUP 2002

Maxfield, M. and Babbie, E., eds Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology: Thomson Wadsworth 2006

Morris, N. and Rothman, D.Â The Oxford History of the Prison: The Practice of Punishment in Western Society: OUP 1995

Tonry, M., ed.Â The Handbook of Crime and Punishment: OUP 1998

Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studysmarter.uwa.edu.au/). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.

Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.

Lectures

Commence in week 1

Unit Resources

Unit Materials (This course is run through WEBCT and unit materials are only available to enrolled students)

Unit Coordinator

Name: David Indermaur

Office: Crime Research Centre

Tel: 6488 3840

Email: david.indermaur@uwa.edu.au