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Beginning in the mid-eighteenth century, this course traces the development of crime, criminology and policing in modern Europe. Paying particular attention to the rise of competing biological and sociological models of criminality and the birth of forensics, the course examines the social, political and professional implications of attempting to put the investigation, understanding, and punishment of crime on a scientific footing. Topics covered will include: crime and insanity, Lombroso and the born criminal, the professionalisation of policing, and the development of fingerprinting and crime scene analysis.
HIST395 is an introduction to crime history; a field that involves the historical investigation of crime, criminals, policing and punishment and allows scholars access not just to the decision-making processes of elites, but also to the lives of ordinary people who in some way encountered the criminal justice system. Taking advantage of a growing number of digital archives, including The Digital Panopticon and the Proceedings of the Old Bailey, HIST395 provides both an in-depth understanding of the history of crime, criminology and policing in Europe since 1750 and transferable critical and digital skills. In addition, the course delivers a sources and methods programme that teaches students how to critically engage with a wide range of source types, including trial transcripts, broadsides and pamphlets, criminal records, newspapers, parliamentary papers and memoirs, and how to apply methodologies such as life course analysis, prosopography (group biography) and microhistory. Beginning in the middle of the eighteenth century, the course traces changes to the understanding of crime and punishment in Europe that fostered the slow transition away from the death penalty towards alternative punishments, such as transportation and imprisonment. It then outlines the development of modern policing before examining the development of criminal identification techniques, including Bertillon measurements, mugshots and fingerprinting. The final section of the course analyses the history of the forensic sciences and the ethics of crime history.
This course will enable each participant to: Develop an in-depth understanding of the history of crime in Europe since 1750.Demonstrate familiarity with the key historiographical arguments in the field.Critically evaluate and use a range of primary source types.Develop skills in using a range of digital archives.Critically reflect on the strengths and weakness of biography, prosopography (group biography) and microhistory as historical methodologies.Critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of digital crime history.Contribute effectively in group and co-operative work.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 30 points at 200 level from HIST, orCRJU201 and either CRJU202 or LAWS202, orany 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
HIST295
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Heather Wolffram
Refer to Learn for changed assessment information.
Domestic fee $1,788.00
International fee $8,200.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Humanities .