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Critical Victimology - LAWS8122
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Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Pre-requisite: Academic Program must be 9200 or 9210 or 9230 or 5740 or 9285 or 5285 or 9235 or 5235 or 9220 or 5750.
 
 
Excluded: JURD7422
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 1 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

This course examines various perspectives on the recognition of victims of crime as participants in the criminal justice system. This course examines the victim of crime as a dynamic agent of justice by considering the role of the victim in the development of criminal law, the removal and exclusion of the victim in criminal justice, the rise of the victim right's movement and the contemporary relocation of the victim in common law and statute. It encourages a critical appreciation of the criminal justice system by examining competing theories of victimisation and the attempt to place these theories into a particular policy context. Through a discrete examination of the needs of particular victim groups, this course will challenge the major assumptions of the removal of the victim from the criminal justice system, and will critically evaluate the often incomplete and fragmented way in which victims are granted a level of recognition in the modern justice system.

LLM Specialisations

Recommended Prior Knowledge

LAWS8101 Legal Concepts, Research and Writing for CJC for non-lawyers.
Basic understanding of criminal justice. While some knowledge of criminology and criminal justice is useful, there will be no assumption that students possess such knowledge prior to commencing the course.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this course should be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of different theories of victimisation;
  • Understand the role of the victim in the criminal justice system;
  • Engage in debate concerning criminal justice policy and reform;
  • Undertake interdisciplinary research on criminal justice issues.

Main Topics

  • victimology
  • the victim in criminal justice,
  • the rise of the victim right's movement
  • law and order
  • the victim in common law and statute
  • specialised courts
  • sexual assault and domestic violence
  • homicide
  • indigenous justice
  • restorative justice

Assessment

Class presentation 20%
Research essay 80%

Course Texts

To be advised

Resources

A full up-to date reading list will be provided in the detailed course outline.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.