CRIM3301 Crime, Law and Trauma

2019

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour seminar weekly

1 9 units of Criminal Justice topics
2 18 Units of LLAW topics
Must Satisfy: ((1) or (2))

CRIM3007 has been successfully completed

This topic introduces students to theoretical understandings of the interrelationship between law, violence, harm, suffering and trauma. Through a range of historic and contemporary case studies, the topic seeks to critically explore the variety and extent of trauma associated with the imposition of law in various historical, contemporary, political, social and cultural contexts. Whilst this topic engages with traditional legal texts (statutes and case law) it also exposes students to the practice of reading and interpreting a variety of other texts (including film, historical narratives, archival documents, works of art and literature).

The aim of the topic is to:

• challenge students to question the complex interrelationship between law, violence and trauma
• cultivate and environment in which students can critically explore the variety and extent of trauma associated with the imposition of law in various historical, contemporary, political, social and cultural contexts

Upon successful completion of this topic students will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge in:

• analysing the nature and extend of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law in various historical and/or contemporary contexts
• analysing the nature and extent of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law in various political, social and/or cultural contexts
• carrying out independent research on the subject of trauma associated with the imposition of law or the absence of law
• identifying a specific instance of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law
• analysing the role of law (or its absence) in bringing about and/or responding to a specific instance of trauma