Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
Undergraduate | GRF-CCJ113 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
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
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- understand how crime is defined, measured and explained
- develop a sound understanding of the psychological and sociological underpinnings of the study of criminology
- understand the competing tensions inherent in a criminal justice system in a liberal-democracy such as Australia
- further develop their skills in expressing themselves clearly and coherently in oral and written language
- understand some of the important personal and professional qualities required of those who wish to work in the criminal justice area.
- Introduction
- Perceptions, facts, and fallacies
- Defining and measuring crime
- Prevalence: who are the victims and offenders?
- Street crime and violence
- White collar and internet crime
- Psychological theories of crime
- Sociological theories of crime
- Policing and crime prevention
- Courts and restorative justice
- Corrections
- Unit review
This unit 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 unit 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 unit also surveys the ways in which crime and criminal behaviour are "explained" via a review of the contemporary literature in criminology theory. The unit concludes with an exploration of the criminal justice system as a response to crime.
- Short Answers (20%)
- Short Answers (20%)
- Short Answers (20%)
- Final Invigilated Exam (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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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.
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