Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ1132025
Examine crime and the ways it’s defined and explained in contemporary society. Study the relationship between crime and class, youth and crime (and the response), gender and crime, and the over-representation of Indigenous people.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 24 Aug 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025,
- 1 Sept 2025
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:
- Appraise historic and contemporary definitions and measurements of crime
- Identify and apply relevant theoretical frameworks for interpreting and intervening in crime
- Identify how social contexts have consequences for the operations of the criminal justice system and reflect on how changing values and beliefs interact with individual and societal approaches to crime
- Employ reflective and empathetic communication skills to recognise and appropriately respond to different contexts and stakeholder groups
- Interrogate sources and uses of information to determine its utility in criminal justice decision-making
- Introduction to criminology and criminal justice
- Definitions and measurements
- Prevalence
- Anomie and strain theories
- Social disorganisation theories
- Environmental theories
- Control theories
- Learning theories
- Biological and psychological theories
- Developmental theories
- Conflict, critical, and labelling theories
This subject introduces students to the disciplines of criminology and criminal justice. It begins with an examination of the nature of crime and how it is defined and measured in contemporary society. The subject then provides an overview of the impact of criminological theories on our understanding of crime problems and the implications for criminal justice responses. A major part of the subject is focused on the dimensions of crime and the way crime is shaped by a range of personal and social characteristics. For example, we explore the relationship between crime and social class, the links between age and crime, the relationship between gender and crime, and the reasons for the substantial over-representation of Indigenous people in all parts of the criminal justice system in Australia. Importantly, the subject also explores the main criminological theories that have shaped how we understand why crime occurs, which have direct implications for how we respond to and reduce crime. These theories include structure and process theories, individual difference theories, and meaning making theories.
- Online Test (30%)
- Crime and Justice Problem Solving (30%)
- Policy Proposal Consideration (40%)
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.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
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- 21
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
GRF-CCJ15 (Not currently available)
Others
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
12 student respondents between 26 May - 17 June 2025.
83%of students felt the study load was manageable
91%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
UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG
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