Enrol in this subject by 25 May for classes starting soon
Need help? Book a consultation with a student advisor.
This unit contains mature or sensitive content and may not be suitable for some students.
Homicide
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ1142025
Focus on the key elements of a crime event through the lens of offenders and victims of violence. Learn how serious violent offences are detected and investigated, then consider how these offences are processed in the courts, via trials and sentencing.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 25 May 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 June 2025,
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Homicide
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:
- Understand how homicide is defined and explained.
- Understand trends in homicide, both in Australia and around the world.
- Develop an in-depth understanding of different types of homicide from experts in the field
- Gain an understanding of how the police conduct a homicide investigation, from start to finish.
- Understand the role of courts and corrections in the sentencing and management of homicide offenders
- Better connect crime prevention and intervention strategies to ways to reduce homicide in a society.
- Introduction to the course and the criminal event
- Australian Trends
- International Trends
- Domestic and Family Related Homicide
- Multiple Homicide
- Terrorism and State Sponsored Homicide
- Corporate Homicide
- The Role of the Police
- Prosecution and Cold Cases
- Homicide Offenders in and out of Prison
- Prevention and Public Health Approaches
- Victims of Homicide and their Families
This subject introduces students to the criminal justice process using the crime of homicide. Starting with a focus on the key elements of the crime event, including the current state of homicide in Australia and abroad, students will develop an understanding of serious violent offences through the lens of offenders and victims of violence. Students then learn how the criminal justice system responds to serious violence offences through an examination of the interconnectedness of the police, courts, and correctional agencies. Students will learn how serious violent offences are detected and investigated by the police and move on to an understanding of how these offences are processed in the courts, which includes the criminal trial and sentencing. Students review the various forms of custodial sentencing and will be introduced to concepts of rehabilitation and desistance. Throughout the subject students review the ways that criminological theory has informed the crime of homicide, as well as the criminal justice system and social responses to homicide.
- Homicide Infographic (50%)
- Homicide Presentation (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
Others
Students who have completed CCJ15 and CCJ11 as part of their degree can only enrol in CCJ114 as one of their two first-year elective subjects.
Students who have completed more than 2 OUA units (GPA 4.0+) and are planning on completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to enrol in the degree. Part of this process will involve registering your study plan with Griffith University, which will help to ensure that you are studying the required units.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
14 student respondents between 19 Aug 2024 - 1 Mar 2025.
100%of students felt the study load was manageable
100%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.