Monash South Africa Criminology

Criminology and criminal justice – South Africa

Undergraduate

Commencement year

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook.

Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the ‘Requirements’ outlined in the Faculty of Arts component of any bachelors double degrees.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Managing faculty

Faculty of Arts

Description

Crime is a fascinating subject. The number of books, movies and television programmes devoted to it attest to people’s interest in the problem. So too does the extensive and often sensational coverage that crime receives in the media. But, as this subject reveals, crime is a complex issue. While studying towards a major in criminology and criminal justice, you will learn that it is considerably more complex than the superficial and romanticised portrayal it often receives in fictional writings and the media.

The study of criminology and criminal justice will equip students who have an interest in deviance, conflict, crime and victimisation – and communities in general – with the knowledge needed for creating and maintaining a safe society.

Crime and victimisation have severe consequences for the sustained development of a society, the economy and ecology. This subject provides expert knowledge to deal effectively with crime, conflict and victimisation and to promote a democratic and just society with a human rights perspective as set out in the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Availability

Criminology and criminal justice is offered in the Bachelor of Social Science at Monash South Africa as a major or a minor.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

1. Apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge of both Criminology and Criminal Justice, including the nature, extent, causation and prevention of crime.

2. Explain the causes and consequences of criminal behaviour and the operation of the Criminal Justice System, including the implications for victims, offenders, justice professionals and society as a whole.

Major requirements (48 points)

No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to a major and at least 18 points must be credited to the major at level 3.

Students complete:

a. Two level 1 gateway units (12 points)

AZA1281 Explaining crime: Theory and practice
AZA1282 Introduction to criminal justice

b. Four units (24 points) from the following:

AZA2461/AZA3461 Crime and punishment
AZA2463/AZA3463 Criminal behaviour in South Africa: A psychosocial approach
AZA2466/AZA3466 Women and crime: Damsels in distress
AZA2467/AZA3467 Child justice: Human rights, law reform and socio-criminology of deviance
AZA2468/AZA3468 Forensic criminology: Victim and offender profiling
AZA2470/AZA3470 Victimology in South Africa

c. Two additional units (12 points) from those remaining in b) above or the following:

AZA2259/AZA3259 Geographical information systems (GIS): Planning and decision making
AZA2453/AZA3453 Research fundamentals
AZA2719/AZA3719 Theoretical perspectives in political and social thought
AZA2737/AZA3737 South Africa and African social justice
AZA3744 School of Social Science workplace internship

* Note: Where students undertake an inter-campus exchange, the minor or major can be comprised of a mix of units available at their home campus and the exchange campus.

Minor requirements (24 points)

No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minor.

Students complete*:

a. Two level 1 gateway units (12 points)

AZA1281 Explaining crime: Theory and practice
AZA1282 Introduction to criminal justice

b. Two additional units (12 points) from those listed under b) of the major.

* Note: Where students undertake an inter-campus exchange, the minor or major can be comprised of a mix of units available at their home campus and the exchange campus.

Relevant courses

Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree:*

4086 Bachelor of Social Science

Students in other single bachelor’s degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.

* Students cannot complete both the minor and major in the same area of study.