CRIM3301 Crime, Law and Trauma

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).

This topic aims 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

1. Analyse the nature and extent of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law in various historical and/or contemporary contexts
2. Analyse the nature and extent of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law in various political, social and/or cultural contexts
3. Carry out independent research on the subject of trauma associated with the imposition of law or the absence of law
4. Identify a specific instance of trauma associated with the imposition of law or absence of law
5. Analyse the role of law (or its absence) in bringing about and/or responding to a specific instance of trauma