ACR305 - Crime, Terrorism and Security
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 3: Chad Whelan |
| Prerequisite: | 4 credit points at any level |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ACR213 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 5 x 1-hour online lecture per trimester in weeks TBA (recordings provided) 5 x 2-hour online seminar per trimester in weeks TBA |
Content
This unit provides an introduction to the broad subject of terrorism, including key definitions, and historical and contemporary examples, with a critical appraisal of its social and political effects. Students will develop an informed understanding of criminological debates about terrorism, and the problems that emerge from its classification as a high profile form of political violence. The unit examines criminal justice responses to actual and perceived risks of terrorism, and investigates the complex relationships between legal, law enforcement, and other counter-terrorist actors. Through practical exercises, students will examine the need for governments, counter-terrorist authorities and civil society to carefully balance the responsibilities and rights of perpetrators and victims of terrorism, and understand the implications of counter-terrorism strategies on contemporary civilian life. On completion of this unit, students will be able to explain key patterns associated with terrorism and counter-terrorism policy, and analyse recent developments in a range of domains.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe and evaluate the nature of terrorism and key debates regarding its definitions and history. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Assess criminological frameworks for understanding and responding to terrorism, including socio-legal research, quantitative and policy analysis, and the analysis of detailed case studies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO3 | Examine relevant criminal justice system responses to terrorism, and critically analyse the complex interactions between legal, security, and law enforcement actors in counterterrorist contexts. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Critically analyse conceptual and practical issues related to the 'war on terror' and costs and benefits associated with counterterrorist securitisation and persuasively present, individually or collectively, in written and oral formats. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Research and Writing Exercise | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2: Report | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 3: Presentation | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ACR305 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.