The purpose of this assessment task is to demonstrate your knowledge of positivist criminological theories and apply them to a specific crime problem. The goal is to demonstrate your ability to integrate and evaluate these theories to explain the crime and identify policy and/or practice implications for responding to this crime.
Format/Product Essay
Type Individual assessment
Word Count 2000 words
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Assessed
CLO #1 Identify and describe the origins and main concepts of modern criminological theories.
CLO #2 Explain the relevance of different theories to specific crime problems, using creative means of communication.
CLO #3Critique various crime theories from a scientific point of view and assess their potential impact on criminal justice policy and practice.
CLO #4 Integrate different theories to explain specific crimes and crime patterns.
CLO #5Develop and support key arguments using evidence-based research and analysis.
CLO #6 Demonstrate high-quality written and oral communication skills, including scholarly writing, research and reference practices.
Assessment Criteria and Rubric
Rubrics help you to understand what knowledge and skills you need to demonstrate in your assessments. They also show you how your submission will be marked and what is expected at the different grade levels.
Accurate description of relevant concepts for each chosen theory
Integration of chosen theories to explain a crime specific crime and implications for criminal justice
Accurate critique of chosen theories in relation to one another and for explaining the specific crime
Appropriate use synthesis of literature to support key arguments
Appropriate and effective structuring of arguments, clarity of expression and correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling
Support arguments using research literature
Task Instructions
Using three positivist criminological perspectives from the course, you are to produce a 2000-word academic essay that integrates these theories to explain a specific crime. Ensure that your discussion includes a critique of the strengths and limitations of each theory and that you link any prevention or justice responses to the crime according to your theoretical explanation. Crimes for task 2 will be revealed to students early in the teaching semester.
The nominated crime for this task are:
(1)0611 Aggravated burglary of a dwelling
(2)0444 Coercive control
(3) 0120 Attempted murder
You can read more about these in the Resources section for this task!
Source:Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification(2023). Available at https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/australian-and-new-zealand-standard-offence-classification-anzsoc/latest-release
Important!
Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted at any point during this assessment.
The unauthorised use of generative AI or paraphrasing tools can be a form of plagiarism, cheating, or academic fraud and result in academic misconduct. Editing tools such as Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar checker, which do not generate content, are still permitted.
Using AI to complete assignments raises ethical issues related to academic honesty and plagiarism. Assignments submitted with the aid of AI tools may not accurately reflect a student’s abilities and knowledge. This practice can be seen as a form of academic dishonesty, which undermines the fairness and integrity of the educational system.
The use of AI can be detrimental to students’ academic development as it may impede their understanding of the subject matter, hinder the improvement of essential academic writing skills, and limit their ability to analyse and synthesise information which is crucial for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These skills are critical for academic and professional success.
For example, in criminology there are several situations where the need for human expertise, ethical considerations, contextual understanding, and the ability to handle sensitive information requires these skills and the reliance on AI tools are not suitable for producing work. Such as preparing detailed investigative report based on specific case details, court testimonies as an expert witness, developing ethical guidelines and policies, crime scene analysis, victim and witness interviews, policy impact assessments, and real-time decision making.
Work submitted must be original and produced solely by the student. Students should develop their own arguments using evidence-based research and critical analysis. Students are prohibited from using artificial intelligence (AI) services and software, including but not limited to generative AI (like ChatGPT), and AI writing assistant software (such as Grammarly and QuillBot), in the creation of their assessment tasks.
Please refer to theUniSC Student Portalfor information onUsing generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Please also consider watching “Ethics in AI: A Guide to Responsible Generative AI”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLIBTsZuzMgResources
Instruction sheet:CRM102 Understanding Crime Marking Instructions Assess 2 2024.docx
Figure 1.Assessment 2 Flowchart
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Source:flowchart for assessment 2 2024.pdf
Here are the nominated crimes:
(1) 061Burglary of a dwelling
This subdivision includes burglary, unlawful entry with intent, or break and enter offences that occur in a dwelling. A dwelling is defined as a structure which is intended for people to live in. This includes unoccupied dwellings.
0611 Aggravated burglary of a dwelling
Aggravated burglary is burglary where there was an aggravating factor. These factors vary by jurisdiction and may include where the offender:
Acts in company
Carries a weapon or explosives
Claims to have weapons or explosives
Enters a dwelling when they expect or know the victim to be home
Threatens a victim
A dwelling is a structure which is intended for people to live in.
Inclusions:
Aggravated burglary of a boat, ship, or other vehicle that is used as a dwelling
Break andenter offences of a dwelling and have an aggravating factor
Home invasion with an aggravating factor
Unlawful entry to a dwelling with intent to commit a further offence, such as theft or damage, where there is an aggravating factor
Other aggravated burglary of a dwelling
Exclusions:
Possess tools or materials used for theft or burglary coded to 1211 Criminal intent
Trespass without intent to commit a further crime coded to 1221 Trespass
(2)044Acts that threaten, harass, or control
0444 Coercive control
Coercive control is an ongoing pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviours within an interpersonal relationship usually a partner or spouse. Emotional and psychological manipulation, dishonesty and threats may be used to isolate a person, harm their health, pressure a person into undertaking unwanted acts, or restrict their freedom, autonomy or access to their own money or property.
A key feature of coercive control is that it is a pattern of behaviour over time. This group excludes offences that constitute individual instances of sexual assault, assault, forced imprisonment, stalking, harassment, threatening behaviour, property damage, harm to animals or other discrete offences, though these offences may co-occur.
Inclusions:
Emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse
Ongoing pattern of controlling a person by threatening their children or pets
Reproductive coercion and abuse
Unlawful control of a persons access to friends, family, healthcare, or other supports
Unlawful control of a persons autonomy, body, finances, or other freedoms
Other forms of coercive control
Exclusions:
Forced marriage coded to 0410 Human trafficking or slavery
Neglect or ill-treatment of a person under care, such as a child or ageing parent coded 0492 Neglect or ill-treatment of person under care
Slavery-like conditions within a workplace coded to 0410 Human trafficking or slavery
(3) 0120 Attempted murder
Attempted murder is defined as the attempted unlawful killing of another person, where there is either the intent to kill or intent to cause grievous bodily harm with the knowledge that it was probable that death or grievous bodily harm would occur.
Inclusions:
Attempted murder
Cause wounding or grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder
Exclusions:
Conspiracy to murder resulting in death coded to 0110 Murder
CRM102 Rubric Assessment 2 2024
CRM102 Rubric Assessment 2 2024
Criteria Ratings Pts
Application of knowledge 10 to >8.49 pts
Outstanding (HD)
Demonstrates an advanced understanding of content and theory; comprehensive identification, discussion and extension of issues; Insightful applications where complex or difficult implications are recognised and evaluated.
8.49 to >7.49 pts
Very Good (D)
Demonstrates well-rounded understanding of content and theory; good identification and discussion of issues; makes smooth and convincing connections between (facts, theories, etc) to demonstrate extended knowledge.
7.49 to >6.49 pts
Good (C)
Demonstrates good understanding of content and theory; majority of relevant issues identified and discussed; connects relevant literature to evidence sound knowledge.
6.49 to >4.99 pts
Satisfactory (P)
Demonstrates sound understanding of content and theory. Simple ideas are described and discussed; some relevant research and connection evident.
4.99 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory (F)
Demonstrates little to no understanding of content and theory; failure to understand, identify and discuss relevant issues. / 10 pts
Critical thinking, analysis & reasoning 20 to >16.98 pts
Outstanding (HD)
Shows advanced critical awareness. Thoroughly researched and has discriminately selected pertinent literature. Thorough analysis that deals effectively with complexity of issues; is persuasively argued throughout, and contrary arguments anticipated.
16.98 to >14.98 pts
Very Good (D)
Shows very good critical awareness. Well researched and wisely selects key literature. Good analysis and integration, argument well-developed and supported, some critical explanation evident.
14.98 to >12.98 pts
Good (C)
Shows good critical awareness. Competently researched; Good analysis of issues and credible sources to support valid ideas appropriate for the discipline; argument developed and support but could be extended.
12.98 to >9.98 pts
Satisfactory (P)
Shows adequate critical awareness. Uses some sources to develop and explore ideas, but this is mainly discursive with some analysis of issues; basic argument is evident but could be developed further
9.98 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory (F)
Shows inadequate critical awareness. Insufficient analysis, argument is under-developed; failure to use relevant materials, may indicate confusion or misunderstanding; limited critical explanation. / 20 pts
Structure & Writing 5 to >4.25 pts
Outstanding (HD)
Creates a cohesive and consistent essay evidencing attention to detail. Clear and logical structure. Uses elegant language that skilfully communicates meaning with clarity and fluency.
4.25 to >3.75 pts
Very Good (D)
Generally well written; uses structure to present ideas. Words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs are arranged to create a well-structured essay; Uses coherent language that skilfully communicates meaning.
3.75 to >3.25 pts
Good (C)
Reasonably well written; uses a sequenced structure to form ideas. Essay flows and is easy to follow. Uses language that conveys meaning with some clarity.
3.25 to >2.5 pts
Satisfactory (P)
Structure and presentation of the essay is sufficient; Uses language that generally conveys meaning, but writing may be difficult to follow in parts.
2.5 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory (F)
No structure evident or structure is chaotic and does not promote understanding; poorly written, and difficult to follow. / 5 pts
Presentation & Referencing 5 to >4.25 pts
Outstanding (HD)
Meticulous presentation. Superior writing with exemplary and purposeful grammar. Sentence length, structure and complexity are varied. Seldom errors that do not interfere with meaning; full and accurate citation of authoritative sources.
4.25 to >3.75 pts
Very Good (D)
Competent presentation, with proper use of grammar. Sentence structures are correct and varied. Some minor grammatical discrepancies that do not interfere with meaning; authoritative sources are generally cited correctly.
3.75 to >3.25 pts
Good (C)
Good presentation. Contains some sporadic linguistic errors that do not impede meaning. Infrequent and/or inconsistent errors in spelling, capitalisation and punctuation; may have some missing, incomplete or incorrect citations.
3.25 to >2.5 pts
Satisfactory (P)
Satisfactory presentation. Adequate use of grammar rules: parts of speech, sentence structure, phrases and clauses are simple but correct; may be a number of missing, incomplete or incorrect citations.
2.5 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory (F)
Frequent or repeated flaws in spelling, capitalisation and punctuation. Sentence fragments and/or incomplete sentences. Grammar errors impedes linguistic performance and interferes with meaning; inadequate citation of sources. / 5 pts
