Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice

• • What is criminology? What is criminal justice?
  • How is crime defined and measured? And why does it matter?
  • How common is crime? Who are the perpetrators? Who are the victims?
  • Is crime a way to help get what we want?
  • Why do some communities have more crime than others?
  • Does the physical environment affect crime?
  • Why doesn't everyone commit crime?
  • How do people learn to be criminals?
  • Are offenders made or born?
  • Why does offending change over the life course?
  • Who decides what is criminal and does it matter?
  • How does the criminal justice system respond to crime?

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

This subject introduces students to criminology and criminal justice. It begins with an examination of the nature of crime, and the ways in which it is defined and explained in contemporary society. A major emphasis of the subject is exploring the dimensions of crime, particularly the relationship between crime and social class (corporation and white collar crime), the links between youth and crime and youth and the criminal justice response, the relationship between gender and crime, and the reasons for the huge over-representation of indigenous people in all parts of the criminal justice system in Australia. The subject also surveys the ways in which crime and criminal behaviour are "explained" via a review of the contemporary literature in criminology theory. The course concludes with an exploration of the criminal justice system as a response to crime.

• 4 online Quizzes (40%)
• Scenario Based Problem (40%)
• Reflection Short Answers (20%)

Current study term: 28 Aug 22 to 27 Nov 22

Next study term: 26 Feb 23 to 28 May 23