ATS1058 · Deconstructing homicide

Overview

This unit is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of homicide, including its nature, causes, legal and social implications, historical and contemporary trends, as well as theoretical perspectives and prevention strategies. During the course, you will explore how social inequality and discrimination impact homicide, demographic patterns and geographical distribution of homicide cases, and the role of media in shaping public perception. You will also learn about the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases. The unit is specifically designed for students interested in studying the phenomenon of homicide and its broader social and cultural contexts. By the end of the course, you will have gained an in-depth understanding of the complexity of homicide and will be able to critically analyse the various factors that contribute to this important social issue. Through a series of lectures, readings, case studies, and discussions, you will study the various dimensions of homicide, with a particular focus on how these dimensions interact and intersect in different contexts. Some of the key topics that will be covered in the unit include the typology of homicide offenders and victims, the role of individual and environmental factors in homicide, the forensic science of investigating homicide, and the impact of homicide on families and communities.

Areas of study: Criminology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. discuss the nature and types of homicide, including legal definitions and classifications;
2. analyse the social and cultural contexts of homicide, including historical and contemporary trends, patterns, and demographics of homicide;
3. evaluate the psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to homicide by applying theories and models that have been developed to explain homicide;
4. evaluate the challenges of investigating and prosecuting homicide cases, particularly in the context of mass and serial homicide, police use of deadly force, and homicide involving women and children as victims, and assess the legal and ethical implications of these types of homicide;
5. develop analytical and problem-solving skills, interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in teams.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.