Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2010 academic year unless otherwise specified.
On this page:
- Overview
- Undergraduate Information
- Postgraduate Information
- How to Find out More
- Related Subjects and Careers
- List of Courses
Overview
What leads someone to commit a crime like aggravated robbery? Research has suggested that the adrenaline-packed act of robbery is what keeps some offenders hooked. But what about a robber's education and social background? His race? Or her gender?
More generally, Criminology students examine the extent of crime in contemporary society. Should the public be worried about being victimised? Would tougher prison sentences, restorative justice programmes, or community penalties provide the most effective response? Why do the media continue to pay so much attention to crime problems - does this cause problems of its own?
Criminology is the study of crime and how we as a society react to crime. No other qualification brings together so many different ways of understanding crime. You will study the characteristics of the offenders, learn how police operate, and how the law and the courts try to prevent and control crime. Debates about youth and crime, the politics of crime and policing, services to crime victims, and media coverage of crime are covered in many of the modules offered. Criminology brings together law, psychology, policing, sociology, and cultural studies to give a big picture view of crime in our society.
A major in Criminology, as part of your Bachelor of Arts (BA), will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues. You'll learn to understand and analyse crime and punishment, and become an invaluable asset in the criminal justice, social and community services, social policy, and social science research.
Closely aligned to the Institute of Criminology is the Crime and Justice Research Centre which is an applied research centre at Victoria University. The Crime and Justice Research Centre was established in 2002 as a separate unit dedicated to researching crime and social responses to crime.
Undergraduate Information
The study of Criminology at Victoria begins at 200-level.
BA major requirements in Criminology:
- 40 ANTH, LAWS, POLS, PSYC, PUBL, SOSC or SPOL points
- CRIM 211 or 214, and a further 20 points from CRIM 200-399
- 60 points from CRIM 300-399
Postgraduate Information
Postgraduate Qualifications in Criminology:
Please note:CRIM 316 is strongly recommended for those intending to take Honours in Criminology.How to Find out More
You can order more information on this subject using our Request for Study Material form.
Victoria's Student Recruitment and Course Advice Office offers advice on courses and help with planning your degree.
Contact the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' Student and Academic Services Office for information on admission, qualifications and courses, course advice and selection criteria, exemptions and prerequisites.
Criminology courses are taught within the School of Social and Cultural Studies, School Office: Murphy 921, tel: 04-463 5317, email: address.
Related Subjects and Careers
With strong links to other social science subjects, Criminology provides the grounding for a career in a wide range of areas. It is directly relevant to work in the criminal justice system (e.g., as a lawyer, police officer, probation officer, in the Department for Courts, the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice) and is useful for work in social and community services, social policy analysis, social science research and in the education sector.
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Related Subjects |
Careers |
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Cultural Anthropology |
Community worker |
List of Courses
For a complete course listing, see the list of all Criminology courses.
| 200 Level Criminology Courses |
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CRIM 211 – Introduction to Criminological Thought |
CRIM 212 – Crime and Criminal Justice in New Zealand |
CRIM 214 – Introduction to Criminal Behaviour |
CRIM 215 – Contemporary Issues in Policing |
| 300 Level Criminology Courses |
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CRIM 311 – Policing |
CRIM 312 – Punishment and Modern Society |
CRIM 313 – Women, Crime and Social Control |
CRIM 314 – Special Topic |
CRIM 315 – Youth and Crime |
CRIM 316 – Criminological Theory |
CRIM 319 – Special Topic |
CRIM 321 – Criminal Behaviour and Investigation: A Psychological Approach |
CRIM 322 – Crime, Deviance and Popular Culture |
CRIM 323 – State Crime |
CRIM 324 – Sexual Violence |
SACS 301 – Methods in Social and Cultural Research |
| 400 Level Criminology Courses |
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CRIM 413 – Victims in the Criminal Justice System |
CRIM 414 – Issues in Crime Prevention |
CRIM 416 – The Sociology of Punishment |
CRIM 417 – Special Topic |
CRIM 418 – Researching Crime |
CRIM 419 – Gender and Crime |
CRIM 420 – Drug Use and Misuse |
CRIM 421 – Special Topic |
CRIM 422 – Race and Crime |
CRIM 423 – Liberties, Rights and Justice |
CRIM 426 – Crime, Youth and Culture |
CRIM 489 – Research Paper |
SACS 401 – Methods in Social Science Research |