Outline

Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce students to the theoretical issues associated with the definition and explanation of crime, criminality and crime control. Rationales for punishment are examined along with other possible responses to criminal behaviour are explored. The unit considers the impact of criminal justice policy and practice on particular groups which may include juveniles, women, Indigenous people, ethnic minorities and victims of crime. The regulation of particular types of offences such as hate crime are considered. Other topical issues are covered as they arise in contemporary criminological debate.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS3426
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Garner Clancey, garner.clancey@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Crime Data Briefing Paper (20%) Briefing paper	20%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2025 at 16:00 Closing date: 01 Aug 2025	700 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Crime Theory Short Essay (30%) Essay	30%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 16:00 Closing date: 26 Sep 2025	1500 words / 6 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Essay Synopsis (0%) Synopsis of Research Essay topic	0%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 16:00	250 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation (10%) Presentation	10%	Week 12	4 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Essay (40%) Research Essay	40%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 16:00 Closing date: 14 Nov 2025	2000 words / 3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Crime Data Briefing Paper (20%): A short briefing paper (700 words) will be prepared and submitted by 4pm on 25 August 2025 (Sydney, Australia Time). It will be written for a senior manager in a NSW justice agency. The purpose of the briefing paper is to summarise the publicly available crime datasets which can be used to explain longitudinal crime trends in NSW. Key significant limitations of the publicly available datasets will also be explained. Bullet points can be included and AI can be used and evidence provided of how AI was utilised.

Crime Theory Short Essay (30%): A short essay of 1500 words (excluding references) will be submitted by 4pm on 15 September 2025 (Sydney, Australia Time). Select one of the following criminological theories – Classical, Positivism, Chicago School, Left Realism, Labelling and Feminism. Explain the key tenets and limitations of this theory. AI should be used to generate the output with evidence of how it has been used included and the limitations of the AI generated output identified.

Research Essay Synopsis (0%): Students are to develop their own essay topic and have it approved by 4pm on 13 October 2025. A synopsis of the essay topic must be submitted on Canvas no later than 4pm on 13 October 2025 (Sydney, Australia time) (earlier submission is encouraged). The synopsis must outline the proposed topic, show links to the unit content and include reference to relevant theories/theorists that will be considered in the essay. The word limit for the essay synopsis is 250 words (excluding references). The topic must resonate with the unit of study.

Presentation (10%): Students must give a 4-minute presentation on key features of their proposed research essay topic. This will provide an opportunity to receive feedback on the direction being taken and the nature of the argument(s) being developed. Presentations will be delivered in the final seminars – the exact timetable of delivery to be finalised in class (either 28 or 30 October 2025) (Sydney, Australia Time).

Research Essay (40%): Theories covered in the short essay should not be covered in this essay. In addition to emailed feedback on the synopsis, the presentation will provide an opportunity to test the direction being taken and to receive feedback. The purpose of the essay is to allow students to explore, and acquire knowledge of, an area/issue of relevance to criminology; to encourage students to think critically about that issue/area; to develop skills of criminological research, argumentation and analysis. Students will need to read widely in order to answer the question (a minimum of 20 references is a rough guide but remember its quality not quantity that matters in the end). Focus on providing a specific response to the question that draws on theoretical material and is backed up by examples. Ensure that your response is analytical and does not just summarise or describe the literature – it can’t simply be a literature review. Attempt to compare and contrast the literature where appropriate (its strengths and its weaknesses) in order that you arrive at a reasoned response to the question. The essay is due by 4pm on Friday 7 November 2025 (Sydney, Australia time). The word limit for the essay is 2000 words (excluding references).

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude all footnotes and any bibliography (if required), and exclude acknowledgements of assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. For example, a submission after the due time specified in the assessment summary but before the same time the following day will attract a 10% penalty. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period.

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
Week 01	Introduction: criminology, theory and practice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	What do we know and how can we be sure?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	What do we know and how can we be sure? Pt 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	The classical school (including Neo-classicism)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Biological positivism	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Mapping social space (including strain theory)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Labeling and moral panics	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Marxist influence (including state crime)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Gendering crime	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Hate crime	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Cultural criminology	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Risk and governmentality	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Criminal justice 1 - diversion, restorative justice and community corrections	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Criminal justice 2 - diversion, restorative justice and community corrections	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Criminal justice 3 - prisons	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Prisons continued	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Criminal justice policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Criminal justice policy continued	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Revision and Review	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Revision and Review	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).  

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

To be provided in a thorough reading guide.

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. Explain key criminological schools of thought and theories
LO2. Identify key sources of data on crime and criminal justice processes
LO3. Describe the role of key agencies and institutions of the criminal justice system
LO4. Describe the role of prisons and explain key features of prison administration
LO5. Explain the impacts of the criminal justice system on particular groups including women, children and young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGTBQIA communities

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.

Changes made to assessments since unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

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

LAWS5126: Criminology

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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