The question of how best to prevent crime is one that is frequently posed by criminologists, governments and the general public, with significant resources invested in the long- and short-term pursuit of crime reduction. This introductory unit provides students with a foundational critical understanding of the theory and practice of crime prevention. The unit will introduce crime prevention as an alternative to law and order and elucidate the evidence for prevention. The unit will outline key typologies in crime prevention, debate the promises and limitations of a community safety approach, and examine the role of police, politicians and policymakers in prevention. Students who complete this unit can expect to have a strong grounding in the basics of crime prevention as a springboard for further study and in their professional practice.
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Conceptually map the key theoretical underpinnings in crime prevention; | ||
| 2. | Critique key contentions in crime prevention; | ||
| 3. | Evaluate the merits of varying strategic approaches in crime prevention. |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Reading Reflections | 30% |
| Test | Online Test (2 Hours) | 20% |
| Essay | Critical essay (2500 words) | 50% |
Required reading
Crime Prevention: Principles, Perspectives and Practices, 3rd Edition
Sutton, A., Cherney, A., White, R, and Clancey, G.,2021,
Cambridge University Press.
Where to next?
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.
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