JSB290 Victimology


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Summer 2026, Online

Unit code:JSB290
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:96 credit points of previous study
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit builds on your understanding of criminology by introducing you to the closely aligned discipline of victimology. This unit centres the perspectives of victims and provides opportunity to build a more comprehensive understanding of criminal justice, political perspectives, and working with vulnerable people. The unit will provide you with opportunities to build, practice and provide evidence of your analysis and problem-solving skills in relation to the role, needs, and rights of victims of harm.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Apply the terms, concepts, theories and policies in victimology
  2. Discuss the history of victimology and the current influences on victimology theory
  3. Analyse and discuss the data related to the nature and extent of victimisation
  4. Critically discuss policies and programs that relate to victims of crime and harms, as well as assess the impact of policies and programs that are intended to benefit victims.

Content

Module 1: History, origins and theoretical development of victimology
Module 2: Issues and applications of victimology
Module 3: Working with victims

Learning Approaches

This unit will be offered online only. 

This unit is offered in online mode and has a multi-faceted approach to teaching that features the use of blended learning and multimedia resources, concentrating on constant interaction between students and teaching staff (including the implementation of an asynchronous Discussion Board and live masterclasses). 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:

  • worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • in writing, eg criteria sheets, written commentary
  • to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

There are two distinct forms of assessment used in this unit - formative and summative. Formative assessment provides students with either written or verbal feedback for a piece of assessment, and summative assessment provides students with a mark that will contribute to their final grade in the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Students will write a series of short responses to scenarios based on learning materials from weeks 1-6.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Weight: 40
Length: 1000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Report: Policy analysis

You will write an argumentative research essay in response to questions about specific policy initiatives. You will approach the task from specific professional perspectives (such as police, victim support, youth justice).

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Weight: 60
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Weekly readings will be allocated. Readings will be available in the QUT library and online.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.