Crime and Deviance unit (HGA259)

Hobart, Launceston, Online

Introduction

The unit offers a broad overview of the major theories and approaches to the study of crime and deviance. It provides a survey of diverse and competing interpretations of criminal and deviant acts, the situations and contexts within which crime and deviance is defined and takes place, and the explanations put forward for the causes and consequences of deviance in society. The unit encourages students to think critically and practically engage with the key questions and colourful issues that criminologists face, including why and how some behaviours and subcultures are regarded as deviant or criminal and others are not. Each theoretical perspective is vividly illustrated throughout the unit with contemporary applications in topical lectures and tutorials. For example, the unit may cover topics like youth crime and youth gangs, sex work and sexuality, crimes of the marginalised and the powerful, terrorism and counter-terrorism, as well as analysing the dynamic impact of stigma, moral panics and social control on individuals and society.

Summary

Unit name	Crime and Deviance
Unit code	HGA259
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator	Doctor Loene Howes
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Launceston	Semester 1
Online	Semester 1

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

• Explain the main concepts and debates within a range of criminological perspectives and theories.
• Apply criminological perspectives and theories to particular examples of deviance, crime, and social control.
• Evaluate the contribution of different criminological perspectives and theories to the study of deviance, crime, and social control.
• Communicate your ideas clearly, incorporating key elements of academic writing in criminology.

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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

LAW638 AND LAW615 AND HGA359

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On Campus: Weekly (online) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly face-to-face tutorial (1.5 hours). Online: Weekly (online) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly online tutorials or participation in online discussion boards (1.5 hours).
Assessment	Tutorial Participation (10%)|Case Study (20%)|Take -home Exam (30%)|Essay (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

The unit textbook is: White, R., Haines, F., & Asquith, N. L. (2023). Crime and criminology (7th ed.). Docklands: Oxford University Press. It is available for purchase at Oxford University Press. It is also available as an ebook at the UTAS Library. Additional required readings are available via the unit's Reading List at the UTAS Library.

Recommended

The following recommended books are available via the Reading List at the UTAS Library: Bryant, C.D. (2011) The Routledge handbook of deviant behavior. Oxon, UK: Routledge. Carrington, K., Hogg, R., Scott, J., & Sozzo, M. (2018) The Palgrave handbook of criminology and the global south. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Moreton-Robinson, A. (2020) Talkin’ up to the white woman: Indigenous women and feminism (20th Anniversary Ed.). Brisbane: University of Queensland Press.

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