Units / ATS1421
ATS1421 · Understanding crime
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 1Criminology
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In the unit, you will consider crime as a social phenomenon and map key theoretical frameworks that have been advanced to explain crime and deviance. You will engage your 'criminological imagination' to understand the causes of crime, and significantly, which people are most likely to come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Various criminological theories which advance an understanding of crime and criminality underpin the range of topics presented in this unit. These perspectives interface with real world scenarios, demonstrating the links between ‘theory’ and ‘reality’ and the applicability of key theorists in the 21st century. To further your understanding of Criminology’s potential to drive change, this unit is underpinned by a social justice perspective, focusing on humanitarianism and human rights.
Areas of study: Bachelor of Criminology Criminology
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Caulfield | First semester | Some activities have a choice of on-campus or online teaching activities (FLEXIBLE) |
| Clayton | First semester | Some activities have a choice of on-campus or online teaching activities (FLEXIBLE) |
| Clayton | First semester | Enhancement Studies Program - Enhancement Centre (ESP-EC) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Analytical exercise | Exercise | 20% | — |
| 2 | Analytical exercise | Exercise | 20% | — |
| 3 | Analytical exercise | Exercise | 30% | — |
| 4 | Oral presentation | Presentation | 15% | — |
| 5 | Discussion | Demonstration | 15% | — |
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
- explain the key definitional and methodological challenges associated with the study of crime;
- describe the features of key criminological theories;
- apply criminological theories to real world situations, both local and global in nature;
- evaluate the strengths and weakness of key criminological theories.
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.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
| Lectures | 12 hours |
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