ObjectivesStudents who complete the masters should: * develop a comprehensive knowledge of theories of crime, deviance and social control; * acquire advanced skills in research including ability to summarise and critically assess relevant theory and to collect and analyse relevant data; * exhibit a capacity to plan and execute original research, and to present sophisticated arguments and ideas in systematic and coherent ways; * emerge with a thorough understanding of relevant policy and political issues; * have the capacity to engage in further higher degree research.
Academic titleMaster of Criminology (CWT)
Course descriptionTwo 200 Point Program
Duration: 2 years full-time/ up to 4 years part-time
First 100 points:
* Four compulsory subjects
* Four elective subjects
Second 100 points:
Two compulsory criminology subjects (25 points)
And either
* Thesis Seminar (12.5 points)
* Criminology Thesis* (37.5 points) &
* Electives to a total of 25 points
Or
* Electives to a total of 75 points (exclusing the Thesis seminar subject or Minor Thesis subject)
Total 200 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.
*Note: Written permission is required from the MCrim Coordinator prior to enrolment in the thesis. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 37.5 points within the program with an average of H2A (75%). Students undertaking the thesis must take the Thesis Seminar subject prior to commencing the thesis.
150 point program
Duration: 1.5 years full-time/ up to 3 years part-time
* Four Compulsory subjects from the list of compulsory subjects in the first 100 points of the 200 point program above
Additional 100 points:
Refer to the second 100 points from the 200 point program above.
Total 150 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.
100 point program
Duration: 1 year full-time/ up to 2 years part-time
Refer to the second 100 points from the 200 point program above.
Total 100 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.
First 100 points:
Compulsory Subjects
Total 50 points
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-543 Research and Criminal Justice Governance
How effective are criminal justice interventions in changing individual behaviour, reducing opportunities for crime, and increasing public safety? Why is there so much emphasis by government on the impact of criminal justice programs, and how does th... Semester 1 12.50
191-420 Qualitative Research Methods
This subject forms an advanced overview of theories, methods and ethical issues in qualitative research. The subject will focus on the techniques of field studies, intensive interviewing, and case studies. Students will carry out small scale qualitat... Semester 1 12.50
191-440 The New Punitiveness?
This subject focuses on the idea that since the 1970s there has been a rise in punitiveness right across the developed nations of the west. The subject asks students to identify and understand the different domains in which punitiveness might reside ... Semester 2 12.50
191-435 Drugs and Justice
This subject introduces students to a range of historical and contemporary issues surrounding the measurement of drug use and the popular and scientific construction of the health, crime and social consequences of drug use. The subject is concerned w... Semester 2 12.50
Elective subjects
Total 50 points
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-541 Sentencing: Law, Judges, Community
This subject is about the punishment of offenders. It examines how judges decide what sentences should be imposed on offenders. This is partly determined by sentencing law and partly by the judges' own sense of justice; public opinion also plays... Summer 12.50
100-415 Journalism: Conflict and Society
This subject examines the diverse roles that journalism plays in communicating conflicts in different national and international contexts. It focuses mainly upon the news media, both broadcasting and the press, though occasionally other forms of jour... Semester 1 12.50
166-416 Justice, Democracy and Difference
This subject provides a critical examination of contemporary debates about ideas of justice, democracy and the politics of difference. The subject critically explores both the major liberal approaches to justice alongside critiques of liberal approac... Semester 1 12.50
166-554 Social Research Design and Evaluation
This subject provides a critical and practical engagement with social research design and evaluation, in a range of societal contexts including, but not limited to, social policy. As such, it provides theoretical frameworks and research skills for an... Semester 1 12.50
166-516 Foundations of Social Policy
The subject engages with contemporary theories of social inclusion and capital with an emphasis on networks and their role in community strengthening, community building and regional economic development. The subject also engages in the role these st... Semester 1 25
166-418 Corruption in Today's World
This subject focuses on definitions, types and theories of corruption, and on its political, social and economic effects in various parts of the world, particularly since the 1980s. The subject asks students to problematise the concept of corruption ... Semester 1 12.50
166-526 Managing Communications & the Media
This is a skills rather than a theoretical subject. It has two themes: how to understand and manage the media from the perspective of a communications manager, and how to build a communications strategy into the development of policy. While it is des... Semester 1 12.50
191-438 Texts and Violence
Violence is an issue of great social, individual and cultural concern. This subject investigates some of the ways in which violence is represented, talked about, and interpreted. The subject focuses on two issues: how to interpret textual representat... Semester 2 12.50
166-551 Governance & International Institutions
The subject will examine various dimensions of the conflict between national sovereignty and international interdependence which impinge on the nature and institutions of global governance. It will extend students knowledge of the diversity of the fo... Semester 2 12.50
166-520 Social Policy: Special Topics
The welfare system is a central focus of social policy studies. While social policy as an area of study is usually said to embrace education, health, housing, employment and social care as well as income security, it is income security which usually ... Semester 2 12.50
166-411 Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice
This subject will investigate how Australian constitutional democracy has been structured and how it has defined and developed citizenship and protected human rights. To address these issues students will investigate questions such as, How was Austra... Semester 2 12.50
166-423 Organisations and Management
This subject examines the modern public sector management function through a range of practical and theoretical perspectives. Focusing on placing public sector management into surrounding historical and quasi-ideological debates, the subject explores... Semester 2 12.50
166-442 Rights and Public Policy
This subject aims to assist students with the development of skills relevant in the policy-making process. This is carried out by familiarising students with legal and political developments within a variety of rights fields and by requiring them to ... Semester 2 12.50
102-497 A Century of Australian Social Policy
This subject explores the history of Australian social policy, interweaving five themes: the rise and fall of state-regulated wages, the ways that income support was shaped by this arbitration system, the gendering and de-gendering of the welfare sys... Semester 2 12.50
131-405 History, Memory and Violence in Asia
The history wars between Japan and China over Japan´s war time roles periodically cause diplomatic fall outs between these two countries. Within the borders of Indonesia, India and Cambodia memories of violence are equally co... Semester 2 12.50
705-637 Healthy Communities
In recent years, there has been a greatly increased interest in the impacts of the built environment on health and wellbeing. At present, spatial inequalities in regards to access to jobs, affordable housing, social services, and healthy food results... Semester 2 12.50
191-508 The Expert in Court: Ethics & Practice
A consideration of professional requirements and the issues arising for practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds working in the criminal justice system. These include legal matters concerning expert testimony in court, such as admissi... Semester 2 12.50
191-538 Law, Race and Indigenous Peoples
This subject examines the historical underpinnings of the contemporary over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice systems of settler states (including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America, and South Africa).... Semester 2 12.50
166-525 Contemporary Social Problems
This subject locates contemporary social policy and debates about its future in the context of the social, cultural and political changes associated with globalization. The subject focuses on individualisation, the changing relationship between indiv... Semester 2 12.50
166-531 Comparative Social Policy
This subject uses a comparative approach to analyse key areas of contemporary social policy, with a focus on the reform strategies that emerged over the 1990s. The subject examines the different social policy responses that have characterised these s... Semester 2 12.50
110-553 Human Rights in Southeast Asia
This seminar will focus on human rights and its critics from a historical and comparative perspective. We will explore the factors that have given rise to radically different conception of rights and justice (i.e. political, economic, cultural, relig... Semester 2 12.50
191-537 Genocide, State Crime and the Law
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
360-878 Introduction to Forensic Disability
This subject examines the theoretical and practical mechanisms underlying the assessment and treatment of disabled offender populations. As such it will provide students with an understanding of, and experience in, the major skills and techniques use... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
Second 100 points: Compulsory Subjects
Total 25 points
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-542 Crime Prevention: Critical Approaches
Crime prevention is a growth area in applied criminology, and many graduates find themselves working in this field. This subject provides a basic understanding of relevant theory and practice. Current national and international developments are summa... Semester 1 12.50
191-520 Compliance, Regulation & Crime
There is increasing public and political demand that harms and risks to people, the environment, financial systems, and the like, be reduced, if not eliminated altogether. Tighter regulation, including in some cases use of the criminal law, is often ... Semester 2 12.50
Elective subjects
Total 75 points by taking either
* Thesis Seminar (12.5 points)
* Criminology Thesis* (37.5 points) &
* Electives to a total of 25 points
Or
* Electives to a total of 75 points (exclusing the Thesis seminar subject or Minor Thesis subject)
*Note: Written permission is required from the MCrim Coordinator prior to enrolment in the thesis. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 37.5 points within the program with an average of H2A (75%). Students undertaking the thesis must take the Thesis Seminar subject prior to commencing the thesis.
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-541 Sentencing: Law, Judges, Community
This subject is about the punishment of offenders. It examines how judges decide what sentences should be imposed on offenders. This is partly determined by sentencing law and partly by the judges' own sense of justice; public opinion also plays... Summer 12.50
166-558 Social Science Research Seminar
This subject is designed to develop research skills for students planning and writing research theses in the School of Political Science, Criminology and Sociology. The subject explores contemporary research strategies, differing methodological appro... Semester 1 12.50
100-415 Journalism: Conflict and Society
This subject examines the diverse roles that journalism plays in communicating conflicts in different national and international contexts. It focuses mainly upon the news media, both broadcasting and the press, though occasionally other forms of jour... Semester 1 12.50
166-554 Social Research Design and Evaluation
This subject provides a critical and practical engagement with social research design and evaluation, in a range of societal contexts including, but not limited to, social policy. As such, it provides theoretical frameworks and research skills for an... Semester 1 12.50
166-416 Justice, Democracy and Difference
This subject provides a critical examination of contemporary debates about ideas of justice, democracy and the politics of difference. The subject critically explores both the major liberal approaches to justice alongside critiques of liberal approac... Semester 1 12.50
166-418 Corruption in Today's World
This subject focuses on definitions, types and theories of corruption, and on its political, social and economic effects in various parts of the world, particularly since the 1980s. The subject asks students to problematise the concept of corruption ... Semester 1 12.50
166-516 Foundations of Social Policy
The subject engages with contemporary theories of social inclusion and capital with an emphasis on networks and their role in community strengthening, community building and regional economic development. The subject also engages in the role these st... Semester 1 25
166-526 Managing Communications & the Media
This is a skills rather than a theoretical subject. It has two themes: how to understand and manage the media from the perspective of a communications manager, and how to build a communications strategy into the development of policy. While it is des... Semester 1 12.50
191-528 Minor Thesis - Criminology
Students undertaking the criminology masters minor-thesis option should demonstrate a clear understanding of a specific field of study at an advanced level. They should demonstrate clear thinking and an ability to integrate theory and method in a log... Semester 1, Semester 2 37.50
191-536 Criminology and Sociology Internship
This subject is designed to provide students with hand-on research experience in the context of the everyday operations of a social or criminal justice or community-based agency. The internship takes place over two semesters and constitutes a structu... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
166-551 Governance & International Institutions
The subject will examine various dimensions of the conflict between national sovereignty and international interdependence which impinge on the nature and institutions of global governance. It will extend students knowledge of the diversity of the fo... Semester 2 12.50
191-438 Texts and Violence
Violence is an issue of great social, individual and cultural concern. This subject investigates some of the ways in which violence is represented, talked about, and interpreted. The subject focuses on two issues: how to interpret textual representat... Semester 2 12.50
191-508 The Expert in Court: Ethics & Practice
A consideration of professional requirements and the issues arising for practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds working in the criminal justice system. These include legal matters concerning expert testimony in court, such as admissi... Semester 2 12.50
191-538 Law, Race and Indigenous Peoples
This subject examines the historical underpinnings of the contemporary over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice systems of settler states (including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America, and South Africa).... Semester 2 12.50
166-520 Social Policy: Special Topics
The welfare system is a central focus of social policy studies. While social policy as an area of study is usually said to embrace education, health, housing, employment and social care as well as income security, it is income security which usually ... Semester 2 12.50
166-525 Contemporary Social Problems
This subject locates contemporary social policy and debates about its future in the context of the social, cultural and political changes associated with globalization. The subject focuses on individualisation, the changing relationship between indiv... Semester 2 12.50
166-531 Comparative Social Policy
This subject uses a comparative approach to analyse key areas of contemporary social policy, with a focus on the reform strategies that emerged over the 1990s. The subject examines the different social policy responses that have characterised these s... Semester 2 12.50
110-553 Human Rights in Southeast Asia
This seminar will focus on human rights and its critics from a historical and comparative perspective. We will explore the factors that have given rise to radically different conception of rights and justice (i.e. political, economic, cultural, relig... Semester 2 12.50
166-411 Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice
This subject will investigate how Australian constitutional democracy has been structured and how it has defined and developed citizenship and protected human rights. To address these issues students will investigate questions such as, How was Austra... Semester 2 12.50
166-423 Organisations and Management
This subject examines the modern public sector management function through a range of practical and theoretical perspectives. Focusing on placing public sector management into surrounding historical and quasi-ideological debates, the subject explores... Semester 2 12.50
166-442 Rights and Public Policy
This subject aims to assist students with the development of skills relevant in the policy-making process. This is carried out by familiarising students with legal and political developments within a variety of rights fields and by requiring them to ... Semester 2 12.50
102-497 A Century of Australian Social Policy
This subject explores the history of Australian social policy, interweaving five themes: the rise and fall of state-regulated wages, the ways that income support was shaped by this arbitration system, the gendering and de-gendering of the welfare sys... Semester 2 12.50
131-405 History, Memory and Violence in Asia
The history wars between Japan and China over JapanÂ’s war time roles periodically cause diplomatic fall outs between these two countries. Within the borders of Indonesia, India and Cambodia memories of violence are equally co... Semester 2 12.50
191-512 Intellectually Disabled Offenders
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
191-537 Genocide, State Crime and the Law
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
705-637 Healthy Communities
In recent years, there has been a greatly increased interest in the impacts of the built environment on health and wellbeing. At present, spatial inequalities in regards to access to jobs, affordable housing, social services, and healthy food results... Semester 2 12.50