Course Outline

CRM102 Understanding Crime

Course Coordinator:Nadine McKillop (nmckillo@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Understanding the complex causes of crime is essential to developing just and effective responses to offending behaviour. This course introduces you to the main theories of crime developed over the last 250+ years. The approach explains the origins of theories according to their social contexts. The course also develops your knowledge of the main critiques of these theories focusing on evidence and scientific verification, and the implications of different theories for crime prevention and criminal justice practices.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Face-to-Face Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Seminar – Course Seminar 1hr Week 1 Once Only
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning materials. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Seminar – Course Seminar 1hr Week 1 Once Only

Course Topics

Module 1: Introduction to Theory and Theory Testing

  • Role of Theory & Theory Testing

Module 2: Classical Criminology

  • Pre-Classical and Classical Theory
  • The Neo-Classical Age

Module 3: Positivist Criminology

  • Biological & Biosocial, & Psychological perspectives
  • Social Process & Learning Theories 
  • Social Structural, Anomie & Strain Theories
  • Social Reaction  ;Critical Theories
  • Life-Course Perspectives of Criminality
  • Theoretical Integration 

Mature Content

Drug Use, Nudity, Sex/Sexual references, Violence, Coarse Language, Adult themes

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and describe the origins and main concepts underpinning criminological theories. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Apply different theories to explain specific crimes and crime patterns. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Critique various crime theories from a scientific viewpoint and assess their potential impact on criminal justice policy and practice. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
4 Develop and support key arguments using evidence-based research and analysis Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
5 Demonstrate high-quality written and oral communication skills, including scholarly writing and reference practices. Empowered
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Interactive online quizzes and formative tasks are built into class activities from week 2 to assist you with learning and retaining key theoretical concepts taught throughout the course; and for you to bench mark your progress.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 25%
1 hour
Week 6 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Portfolio Individual 40%
2,000 words
Week 11 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Essay Individual 35%
1,500 words
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Online Exam
Goal:
The goal of this assessment is to test your knowledge and understanding of key concepts covered in Modules 1 and 2.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This assessment task is in the form of a CANVAS online exam. More information will be provided in tutorials and on CANVAS to help you prepare for this task. Students are required to complete the task using Cadmus.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accurately identify and describe theoretical concepts
1
2
Successful apply theoretical concepts to crime problems and solutions
2
3
Accurately identify and describe the role of theory and theory testing in criminology
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Theory Portfolio
Goal:
The purpose of this assessment task is to demonstrate your knowledge and application of criminological theories covered in module 3, and how these explanations might guide specific criminal justice responses.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will be required to complete all questions contained in the portfolio to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and application of positivist theoretical concepts for explaining and responding to crime.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accurate description and application of relevant theoretical concepts
1 2
2
Accurate critique of chosen theories in relation to one another and for explaining the specific crime
3
3
Supports arguments using research literature
4
4
Appropriate and effective structuring of arguments, clarity of expression and correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Essay
Goal:
To demonstrate your knowledge of Life-Course perspectives of criminality and apply them to a specific crime problem.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You are required to produce an essay that applies the Life-course perspective to a specific crime problem, and evaluates its strengths and limitations for explaining the crime. Students are required to complete the task using Cadmus.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accurately describe and apply relevant theoretical concepts to a specific crime problem
1 2
2
Accurately critique the theory for explaining the specific crime
3 4
3
Appropriate use and synthesis of literature to support key arguments
4
4
Appropriate and effective structuring of arguments, clarity of expression and correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Stephen G. Tibbetts & Alex R. Piquero 2023 Criminological Theory: The Essentials 4th edition SAGE Publications

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: