ACR101_-_Week_2_-_Lecture__online_recording_due_to_Monday_public_holiday__default

Introduction

  • Special online edition of week two seminar for ACR 101: Introducing Crime and Criminology due to public holiday.

  • Lectures will still run on Thursday at Waterfront Campus.

The Concept of Crime

  • No consensus on the definition of crime due to varying perspectives from different scholars and societies.

  • Definitions of crime are fluid and can change over time and by location.

  • The term 'crime' is described as elusive, similar to concepts like 'freedom'.

Importance of Understanding Crime

  • The concept of crime evolves; some behaviors become criminalized while others get decriminalized.

  • Variations in the definition of crime occur not just globally but also within jurisdictions (e.g. states, cities).

  • Crime does not always equal harm—some harmful actions are not criminalized.

Crime and Culture

  • Beliefs about deviant behavior affecting legal definitions of crime are deeply tied to cultural contexts.

  • Examples include differing definitions in religious versus secular societies.

Lecture Overview

  1. Changing definitions of crime with time and place.

  2. Crime vs. harm—exploring the connection or disconnection.

  3. Three approaches to defining crime:

    • Legal definitions

    • Human rights definitions

    • Social and political definitions

Legal Definitions of Crime

  • Defined by legal codes and enforced by law. Requires both mens rea (guilty mind) and actus reus (guilty act).

  • Categories of crime include crimes against persons and property.

  • Limitations: Legal definitions can reflect power structures, ignore social context, and fail to signify harm.

Human Rights Definitions

  • Grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognizing fundamental rights.

  • Issues include voluntary compliance and varying interpretations across cultures.

Social and Political Definitions

  • Focus on how and why certain behaviors are criminalized and the influence of public perception and media.

  • Example: Sydney's lockout laws aimed at reducing street crime but pushed people to commit offenses in other areas.

  • Advocacy and political will can determine which laws are passed or repealed.

Contestation and Advocacy

  • Different groups advocate for or against laws based on their interests (e.g., property owners vs. nightlife participants).

  • Over-policing and disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities are evident in enforcement practices.

Conclusion

  • Crime definitions are complex and influenced by a myriad of factors including culture, politics, and social context.

  • Upcoming seminars will further explore themes such as crime myths and measurements.