ATS3466 · Sex, gender and crime

Overview

Gender is a key social dimension in our society but it was originally largely ignored by criminologists. In this unit you will critically examine how gender is constructed, how it shapes crime and the role gender stereotypes play in the operation of the criminal justice system. You will use key critical criminological, feminist, masculinities and queer theories to explore how social norms of femininity, masculinity and heterosexuality produce particular sexed understandings of crime and criminality. We will survey theoretical insights and contemporary understandings of the criminal justice system, popular and media representations, development of public policy responding to sex and crime, and critical assessments. Topics include sex and the nature of crime; femininity, masculinity and violence; and sexual violence.

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. Determine the need for a critical understanding of the gender, sex and crime in historical and current social perspectives;
2. Find and generate information and data that can be used to facilitate a critical understanding of how gender is constituted in society and the criminal justice system;
3. Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and comprehension of methodological and theoretical analyses of gender, sex and crime;
4. Organise and manage the collection of relevant research materials;
5. Synthesize, analyse and apply critical understandings of historical and contemporary gender and crime research;
6. Identify, evidence and communicate examples of how gender must be examined alongside other sites of power such as race, class and age.

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.