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Research and Criminal Justice Governance (CRIM90011)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
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How effective are criminal justice interventions in changing individual behaviour, reducing opportunities for crime, and increasing public safety? Why is there so much emphasis by government on the impact of criminal justice programs, and how does this affect the design and funding of criminal justice programs? What does this focus on effectiveness mean for research priorities and methods? This subject examines the research evidence about the effectiveness and impacts of selected policies, the policy framework that determines what kind of interventions are selected by government, and research methodologies including criminal justice program evaluation.
A particular focus will be on recent developments such as Justice Reinvestment (JR) and Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ) as the basis for achieving better social and governance outcomes from governmental expenditure on justice. We will consider whether approaches such as JR or TJ represent a genuinely new paradigm for the relationship between government and justice service agencies, and what outcomes might be expected from this kind of approach. The course will include an exercise in designing some elements of a JR or TJ program proposal, including working through a program logic process. To illustrate how the principles and methods associated with program evaluation work, the course will look at case studies that may include youth and adult diversion programs, problem-solving courts, mentoring and post-release support programs, and crime prevention programs. In addition, we will examine professional and political issues about the role and application of research in criminal justice, as well as ethical issues about engaging in research with vulnerable and offending populations.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- have obtained knowledge of a range of evaluative assessments regarding the effectiveness of criminological interventions;
- have developed a framework for assessing the adequacy of criminological evaluations in terms of the questions being asked, the designed being employed, and the measures used in the evaluation.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;
- have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
- have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications;
- have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Criminology at Undergraduate level.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A class presentation (20%) scheduled during the semester.
- An essay of 4000 words (80%) due during th eexamination period.
- Students should choose a criminal justice program and critically assess evaluations of this kind of program. Issues to be addressed will include: Effectiveness principles for the program. Evaluation aims and questions. Methodology, including research design, data sources, analysis methods. Professional and political issues that may arise in the course of an evaluation.
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Diana Johns Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022