191-415 Youth Crime and Society

Formerly available as 191-014/315. Students who have completed 191-014 or 191-315 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

37.5 points of second/third-year criminology subjects for third year. Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in criminology or sociology.

This subject provides an examination of theories relating to juvenile offending, and an analysis of juvenile justice policies, practices and reforms. It explores the dynamics of youth offending, and the varying responses of different parts of the welfare and criminal justice systems to the behaviour of young people. The subject considers issues relating to social division (eg. class, gender, ethnicity and race) and how these are reflected in the operation and strategies of the juvenile justice system. Upon completion of the subject, students should have detailed knowledge of the institutions of juvenile justice, and the major issues associated with the phenomenon of young offending.

An essay of 1500 words and an essay of 2500 words. Fourth-year students will complete an additional assessment equivalent to 1000 words.