191-101 From Graffiti to Terrorism

Formerly available as 191-001. Students who have completed 191-001 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject explores the motivations underpinning particular types of criminal behaviour. It begins with an overview of various definitions and ways of measuring crime and then looks at the causes of specific offences ranging through graffiti, to animal cruelty, to armed robbery, to illicit drug use, to terrorism. Wherever possible, the words and rationales of offenders are used to give a more grounded insight into the reasons for criminal behaviour. Overall, the course has been designed to facilitate: discussion of criminal events which feature prominently in the public mind and/or the popular media; discussion of the relationship between the perceived causes of crime and responses to criminal offending by police, courts and corrections; and discussion of the implicit models of personhood, choice, gender, economic position, geographic location, peer group dynamics and other variables underpinning particular theories of criminal behaviour and formal and informal mechanisms for controlling such behaviour.

• an understanding of the range of explanations offered for crime and the limitations and strengths attending such explanations;

• a basic understanding of the three main criminal justice armatures (police, courts, prisons) and their intended and unintended impact on the prevalence of particular types of offences;

• a basic capacity for independent critical thought and self-directed learning within the criminological context.

An oral presentation 10% (due during the semester), a 2000 word essay 40% (due during the semester) and a 2-hour examination 50% (held at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop