Undergraduate - UnitLAW4111 - Crime and gender 406

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit provides an examination of areas of criminal law and procedure in which gender is particularly significant, and introduces students to feminist theories of law and criminality, and relevant rights analyses. Students will be encouraged to think critically about how the criminal law and its practice have evolved historically. Violence and gender will be a focus, including an examination of violent behaviours, the censures of violent behaviours, the operation of criminal defences, and developments in the laws dealing with sexual assault. A range of current issues will be discussed, including issues raised by sentencing and imprisonment.

Outcomes

On completing this unit students will have acquired or developed:

1. a critical understanding of criminal law and procedure and the operation of the criminal justice system, including an understanding of feminist legal theory and criminology relevant to the study of gender, crime and criminality;
2. an awareness of the role of gender in the formulation and operation of criminal laws and the criminal justice system; and
3. skills in research and writing and in the oral presentation of ideas. On completion of this subject students should be able to critically analyse developments in criminal law and the criminal justice system in the light of the theoretical perspectives gained in the course and conduct and write about an independent research project.

Assessment

Research assignment (2500 words): 50% and class presentation: 20% and examination: 30% (one hour in-semester)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Bronwyn Naylor

Contact hours

Three hours of lectures per week

Prerequisites

LAW1100 or LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104; LAW3300 or LAW3301 and LAW3302