Last chance to study this subject for 2025—enrol by 20 July
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The Crimes of the Powerful
PostgraduateMAQ-PICX80622025
Previously MAQ-PICX862
Gaze back at some of the most powerful and criminal individuals and institutions. Categorise types of crime, such as white collar and state crime. Study notorious offenders and criminal acts, including the BHP oil spill and Nazi death camps.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $4,155
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
The Crimes of the Powerful
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to;
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
- Evaluate the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of the social and political life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the forms of individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including such forms of financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
- Outline the challenges involved in regulating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes from a global and local perspective.
- Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics in this subject will be provided in the study materials..
The subject was formerly known as PICX862 The Crimes of the Powerful
This subject examines crimes committed by powerful individuals and institutions: white collar crimes, corporate crimes and state crimes. From the Nazi death camps of WWII, to the Bhopal and BHP Gulf oil spill environmental disasters of more recent decades, the most harmful crimes are not those committed by offenders on the 'street', but rather by individuals and organisations occupying the most influential and privileged positions in our societies. This unit reorients the criminological gaze upwards, away from traditional street offenders and towards the most powerful criminals who occupy corporate boardrooms, parliaments and military organisations. Students will explore contemporary examples of each of these types of offence, examine the characteristics of powerful offenders, and address why crimes of this magnitude often go unaddressed by both contemporary criminologists and our systems of criminal justice.
- Final essay (50%)
- Mid semester quiz (25%)
- End of semester quiz (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- MAQ-CRM-MAS-2025 - Master of Criminology
Elective
- MAQ-MCT-MAS-2025 - Master of Counter Terrorism
- MAQ-CYB-MAS-2025 - Master of Cyber Security Analysis
- MAQ-INT-MAS-2025 - Master of Intelligence
- MAQ-SEC-MAS-2025 - Master of Security and Strategic Studies
- MAQ-SSC-GCE-2025 - Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology
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:
MAQ-PICX841 (Not currently available)
MAQ-PICX862 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PICX841, PICT862, PICX862, PICT711
Pre-requisite Admission to MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCrim or MCyberSec or MCTerrorism or GradCertSecStudCr or GradDipSecStudCr or MPICT or GradDipPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel or MCPICT or MCPICTMISS or GradDipCPICT or GradCertCPICT or GradCertISS or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or (10cps at 6000 level or 10cps 8000 level)
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
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
PostgraduateMAQ-CRM-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-MCT-MAS
Master of Cyber Security Analysis
PostgraduateMAQ-CYB-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-INT-MAS
Master of Security and Strategic Studies
PostgraduateMAQ-SEC-MAS
Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology
PostgraduateMAQ-SSC-GCE