Understanding Crime
Undergraduate
LTU-LST1UNC 2024Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Understanding Crime
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate applicability of the criminological approaches in explaining crime and criminality.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental differences between different criminological approaches by being able to clearly distinguish between them.
- Analyse the relationship between criminological theory and practical responses to crime within and beyond the criminal justice system.
- Identify and evaluate the ethical dimensions and implications of criminological thinking and practice.
- Present your understanding of criminological perspectives on crime and criminality in a concise, relevant, and well-informed manner.
- Crime, Criminology, and the Context
- Explaining Crime Theoretically
- Social Inequality
- Intersectionality
- Types of Crimes
- Criminal Justice
- Crime Prevention
This is a level one subject, which explores how different understandings of crime have emerged as a response to changing social, political and economic contexts. It explores the usefulness of understandings developed since the eighteenth century to date, for explaining and responding to crime today. The nature and impact of key criminological approaches ranging from classicism and positivism through to current day critical perspectives will be illustrated and analysed through consideration of contemporary case studies. The way in which criminological theories inform practical responses to crime within and beyond the criminal justice system will also be highlighted. In this subject we also consider social inequalities, intersectionality and how theory can help us understand these in the context of criminal justice system.
- Multiple choice quizzes (1200 words) (30%)
- One research essay (1200 words) (30%)
- This task requires you to engage with specific weekly content through reflections in a written format (1600 words equivalent) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Undergraduate
LAT-BUS-DEGUndergraduate
LAT-ART-DEGBachelor of Information Technology
Undergraduate
LAT-TEC-DEGBachelor of Psychological Science
Undergraduate
LAT-PYS-DEGUndergraduate
LAT-HSC-DEGUndergraduate
LAT-CYS-DEGUndergraduate
LAT-ART-DIPSingle subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.