Victimology: Victims, Justice and the Law
UndergraduateLTU-LST2VIC2026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $2,174
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Victimology: Victims, Justice and the Law
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and examine key trends and issues in victimology.
- Identify and explain the key elements of different theoretical approaches within victimology.
- Synthesise interdisciplinary theories and methods to critically analyse patterns of victimisation and institutional responses in contemporary society.
- Ideal Victims
- Inequality and Justice
- Victims in the Media
- Victimisation in the Courtroom
- Victims in Custody
- The #BlackLivesMatter Movement
- Working with Victims
- Cyberbullying Victims
- Victims of State and Corporate Crime
Students will analyse the concept of 'victim' within domestic and international contexts, utilising practical and theoretical understandings of victimisation. Four key variables (gender, age, race and class) are investigated to expand student understandings of who and what constitutes an "ideal victim" within the media and the courtroom. The subject also examines the impact of victim's rights discourses in shaping traditional and alternative responses to crime and punishment. The concept of 'victim' will be further explored to consider the ways in which some groups might be victimised by the law, including Indigenous Australians, injured workers, and asylum seekers. Students will also deconstruct the concept of 'victimhood' and determine the extent to which it is useful in legal and social settings.
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.
- One test (1,000 words equivalent) consisting of multiple choice and short answer sections (30%)
- One 1,500-word research essay (35%)
- One written reflection (500 words) on portrayals of victims in the media (20%)
- Ten online quizzes (1000 words equivalent) 10 x 100 word equivalent quizzes throughout the semester. (15%)
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.
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- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 16
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- LAT-CRM-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Criminology
- LAT-CPS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
Elective
- LAT-ART-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Arts
- LAT-BUS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Business
- LAT-AHS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
- LAT-PYS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Psychological Science
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 30 credit points of Level one subjects
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed LST3VIC (Victimology: Victims, Justice and The Law) 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.
Related degrees
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-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG