The Crimes of the Powerful
PostgraduateMAQ-PICX80622020
Previously MAQ-PICX862
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2025 course intake
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.
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
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 18 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
The Crimes of the Powerful
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to;
- identify and interpret different types of ‘crimes of the powerful’ such as war crimes, white collar crimes, and environmental crimes.
- explain the incidence of ‘the crimes of the powerful’ using key criminological concepts and theories.
- evaluate and analyse policy responses to illegal activities such as white collar crime, environmental crime, corporate crimes and state crimes.
- 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 focuses on crimes committed by the most 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 subject 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.
- Assessment 1 (40%)
- Assessment 2 (30%)
- Assessment 3 (20%)
- Assessment 4 (10%)
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.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
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-Organised Crime (no longer available)
MAQ-PICX862-The Crimes of the Powerful (no longer available)
Others
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
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
- Broadband access
Note:
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.