131-402 Crime Law & Punishment:Colonial Victoria

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in history.

An Honours seminar, which examines the origins and development of Victoria's criminal law, penal policy, policing and courts. Topics for investigation include: The historical development of notions of crime in the 19th Century; The origins and development of modern systems of policing and punishment from the start of white colonisation; The impact of the criminal justice system on indigenous Australians; The development and importance of the Rule of Law; The nature and treatment of crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and domestic violence. Students will be encouraged to make full use of the rich resources of primary material in the Public Record of Victoria and the research libraries of Melbourne. On completion of this subject, students should have developed a good sense of how colonial Victoria defined, treated and punished 'crime'.

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A paper of 1000 words 20% (due during the semester) and a research essay of 4000 words 80% (due at the end of semester).