Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit introduces students to contemporary theories of punishment. To do this, punishment needs to be seen in the broader context of economical, political, social, historical and cultural changes. Starting from an international perspective, it explains the mechanisms that have influenced penal policies over the last decades. The unit enables students, on a theoretical and an empirical level, to critically examine to what extent macro and meso analyses are able to explain convergences and divergences in penal practices.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain critical drivers of contemporary penal policy on a global and local scale; (2) critically analyse the penal situation in Australia, including local differences; (3) apply their developed knowledge of penal policy and practices to actual cases; (4) demonstrate critical research skills appropriate for locating and assessing relevant primary and secondary materials; and (5) communicate information, ideas and argument related to the field of penal policy in a coherent and logical manner in both written and oral forms.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research essay; (2) group case study; and (3) class participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Hilde Tubex
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- Students must attend all sessions on 30 July, 6, 20 and 27 August 2025. Attendance is compulsory. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
- Texts
Cunneen, C., et al. Penal Culture and Hyperincarceration: The Revival of the Prison Farnham: Ashgate 2013
Tonry, M., ed. Determinants of Penal Policies. In Crime, Punishment, and Politics in a Comparative Perspective, vol. 36 'Crime and Justice: A Review of Research': University of Chicago Press 2007
Tubex, H. Contemporary Penal Policies: Oxford Handbooks Online in Criminology and Criminal Justice 2014
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.