Outline

Overview

This unit considers some of the most recent and topical issues of crime and justice in Australia and elsewhere. It examines these in historical perspective and critically assesses them in the context of both contemporary and longstanding debates over criminal justice in politics, policy and criminological research.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sociology and Criminology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Criminology or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Socio-Legal Studies or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Sociology or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Social Policy
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Estrella Pearce, estrella.pearce@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Pen-and-paper exam: Long-answer and multiple-choice questions	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Unit Outline/Referencing Knowledge Quiz Multiple-choice questions #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 09 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Mar 2026	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critical analysis Long answer/essay	20%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research essay Long answer/essay	40%	Week 09 Due date: 01 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation Active participation in tutorials	10%	Weekly	In class	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

All assessment tasks must be submitted in this unit, including adequate tutorial attendance. If an assessment task is not submitted a final grade of Absent Fail (AF) will be awarded for the unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

All assessment tasks must be submitted in this unit, including adequate tutorial participation. Note that ‘tutorial participation’ assesses ACTIVE participation during tutorial discussions and activities; and that the participation must be INFORMED by lecture and course readings content.

If an assessment task is not submitted a final grade of Absent Fail (AF) will be awarded for the Unit.

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Mid-semester break	Non-teaching Week – no classes	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Case study 1: Knife crime in the UK	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Case study 1: Knife crime in the UK	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Case study 2: Lockout laws in NSW	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Case study 2: Lockout laws in NSW	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Case study 3: Image-based abuse	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Case study 3: Image-based abuse	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Terrorism, counterterrorism and policing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Terrorism, counterterrorism and policing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	(Crim)migration	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	(Crim)migration	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Surveillance and digital activism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Surveillance and digital activism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Criminalising dissent	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Criminalising dissent	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Youth justice	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Youth justice	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Prisons, abolitionism, sentencing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Prisons, abolitionism, sentencing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	The Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility in Australia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	The Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility in Australia	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Conclusion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Conclusion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Preparation for exam	Self-directed learning (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: according to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. Students are expected to attend both the lectures and the tutorials.
Lecture recording: most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: students should commit to spending approximately three additional hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All essentail readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library List, available on Canvas.

There are two types of readings for this unit, essential readings and suggested readings.

Essential readings must be read each week in preparation for the lecture, tutorial activities and discussion. Demonstrating an understanding of these readings will help you to participate in tutorials and to improve your participation mark, and assist you with completing assessments. You MUST read essential readings.

Suggested readings are additional materials that will provide you with a more in-depth understanding of the weekly topic. These readings may assist you to prepare an assessment or maybe reading for your own development and knowledge in a particular area.

The essential reading and suggested readings for each weekly lecture/tutorial are outlined in our Canvas class. All essential readings will be available electronically with the link in our Canvas class via “Reading list” tab.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current issues in criminology and criminal justice in both historical and contemporary perspective.
LO2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current issues in criminology and criminal justice in both Australia and elsewhere.
LO3. evaluate debates over criminal justice in politics, policy and criminological research.
LO4. conduct independent research applying criminological theories and methodologies to complex issues in crime and justice across substantive areas of criminology.
LO5. communicate knowledge and understanding of current issues in criminology and criminal justice in both contemporary and historical perspective, and across a variety of country contexts, using oral, written and digital formats via assessment tasks, seminar discussions and tutorial participation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has received great appraisals regarding the relevance of the topics to current ongoing issues in society. As a result, teaching/learning materials have been kept up to date with current topics in crime governance.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CRIM2603: Current Issues in Criminal Justice

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links