Program Overview

LAWS2050 Crime, Policy and Governance

Unit Description

This unit explores dynamic public policy development in relation to crime. It examines how governance frameworks (including legal and regulatory institutions) endeavour to regulate conduct by individuals and corporations, and how these frameworks aim to promote public interests and community welfare. Students will analyse the impact of various stakeholders in the criminal justice system on policy formulation, including in relation to corporate, environmental and moral crimes.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Ben Hightower
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: 60cp including LAWS1010 or LEX101 or LEX102 or PICT101 or PICT103 or PICT1030 or CRIM1001 or LAW109 or LAWS1300
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Describe and critique how legal institutions and governance frameworks endeavour to regulate the conduct of individuals and corporations in relation to activities that impact on community welfare and the public interest
• Analyse and apply modern theories of criminal justice (restorative justice, responsive regulation and reintegrative shaming)
• Conduct interdisciplinary research in criminology in the course of developing problem-solving skills, and identify the role played by these disciplines in influencing legal processes and policy-making forums
• Critique current policy initiatives in relation to crime through the application of established theoretical frameworks

Assessment Tasks

• Class Participation: 20%, assessed in tutorials (weeks 1-13)
• Research Essay: 40%, due 17/10/2024, 11.55 pm
• Take Home Exam: 40%, due 4/11/2025, 5pm

Assessment Details

Class Participation

• Assessment Type: Participatory task
• Indicative Time on Task: 0 hours
• Due: Assessed in tutorials (weeks 1-13)
• Weighting: 20%
• Description: An assessment of students' participation in tutorials which may include participation in tutorial discussions and debates, problem-solving, role plays, critical engagement with the unit materials, and other activities.

Research Essay

• Assessment Type: Essay
• Indicative Time on Task: 22 hours
• Due: 17/10/2024, 11.55 pm
• Weighting: 40%
• Description: Students will be required to submit a research essay on an assigned topic which consolidates their learning in the unit.

Take Home Exam

• Assessment Type: Quiz/Test
• Indicative Time on Task: 8 hours
• Due: 4/11/2025, 5pm
• Weighting: 40%
• Description: Open book take-home exam of short questions covering topics discussed in the unit

Delivery and Resources

• This unit requires students to attend or listen online (through Echo360) a weekly one-hour lecture.
• Students are also expected to attend a one-hour tutorial each week.
• There is no required textbook.
• Weekly readings are available through Leganto (link available via the iLearn site).

Unit Schedule

• Lectures: Tuesdays at 5pm (Weeks 1-13, commencing 29 July)
• Tutorials: Tuesdays at 12pm (online), 1pm, 2pm, 3pm (online), and 6pm (Weeks 1-13, commencing 29 July)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage is at the core of learning, teaching and research. The university offers a range of resources and services to help students reach their potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.