Crime and Inequality

Unit code:LCR1003Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

City Campus

Prerequisites

(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

The unit introduces the student to the ‘problem of crime’ and examines the relationship of crime, inequality and disadvantage. It introduces students to the effects of disadvantage on criminal behaviour and policing and legal responses to disorder. The unit reviews the roles that gender, race, ethnicity and class play in the criminal justice system and explores the reasons why some groups are over-represented in offending and incarceration rates.Students will work through contemporary issues such as gender-based violence, indigenous incarceration, policing and bias and the unequal application of the criminal law for crimes related to disadvantage.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Describe key relationships between inequality, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system;
Describe the key concepts of inequality, power, race, gender and class and their effect on the criminal justice system;
Demonstrate effective library-based research skills to develop a sound understanding of the criminological literature;
Apply effective academic writing skills in critical analysis of a key criminological issue.