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Crime and Society unit (HGA108)

2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information

Location: Hobart, Launceston, Online

Introduction

This is a foundational unit in Criminology. You will focus on criminological approaches to understanding crime and criminalisation. The unit will introduce various categories of crime (e.g. property crime and violent crime) and debates about what counts as crime and harm (e.g. crimes of the powerful versus the less powerful). You will engage not only with research that highlights patterns of crime but also with important critiques about the measurement of crime. The unit invites you to consider the relationships between specific social groups (e.g. young people, women, Indigenous people) and the criminal justice system.

Summary

Unit name Crime and Society
Unit code HGA108
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator Doctor Vicky Nagy
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply criminological terms and concepts in the study of crime and criminal justice.
  • Explain specific crimes and crime categories, with awareness of relevant measurement issues.
  • Analyse the power relations and inequalities associated with criminalisation processes.
  • Communicate your ideas clearly in verbal and written forms.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
099903 $2,174.00 $1,020.00 not applicable $2,562.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On Campus: 

Weekly (pre-recorded) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly face-to-face tutorial (2 hours).

 

Off Campus:

Weekly (pre-recorded) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly online tutorials or online discussions/activities (2 hours).

AssessmentMind Map (20%)|Essay plan & Annotated bibliography (25%)|Learning log (15%) and in-class or online participation (10%) (25%)|Essay (30%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

The unit textbook is as follows:

White, R., Perrone, S., & Howes, L. (2019). Crime, criminality and criminal justice (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford.

It is recommended to purchase a copy if possible. It is also available as an ebook via the UTAS Library.

Please note that the same textbook is used for HGA107 Crime and Criminal Justice.

Recommended

Recommended readings will be available via the MyLO site. 

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.