Sentencing, Imprisonment and Social Inequality
UndergraduateLTU-LST2SCR2025
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Sentencing, Imprisonment and Social Inequality
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key aims and processes involved in sentencing in contemporary Australia.
- Assess the impact of legal, social, economic and political factors upon sentencing and imprisonment.
- Assess the extent to which imprisonment and community supervision achieve sentencing aims, reduce crime and enhance community safety.
- Communicate in a clear, well informed and critically engaged manner about sentencing, imprisonment and social inequality.
- Sentencing
- Courts
- Imprisonment
- Social Inequality
- Abolition
This subject explores the processes, practices and complexities involved in sentencing and imprisoning people in contemporary Australia and how these reflect and reproduce forms of social inequality. The aims of sentencing, the technical processes involved, and public perceptions of them are considered and assessed, as well as technological innovations and human experiences in the courtroom. Varying types of sanctions are examined with particular attention paid to current issues in imprisonment, including high rates of remand, prison architecture, and private interests in prison operations and expansion. The subject places Australian penal cultures in international context, and assesses the extent to which imprisonment can reduce cycles of crime and social disadvantage, and enhance community safety.
This is a level 2 subject. Please consider the subject pre-requisites before enrolling. This subject includes live sessions with the expectation of student attendance and participation.
- Online Quizzes (equivalent to 800 words) (20%)
- Case study exercise (equivalent to 800 words) (20%)
- Written assignment (equivalent to 1600-words) (40%)
- Presentation exercise (equivalent to 800 words) (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Others
Pre-requisites: Students must have completed 30 credit points of Level one subjects.
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed LST2PIC (Punishment In Context), or LST3PIC (Punishment In Context) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
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.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-CRM-DEG
Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-CPS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-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.