Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Overview

Examines the development of crime and punishment in order to explore the emergence of modern states.

Why was treason the "greatest crime"? When and why did transportation and exile emerge as forms of punishment? This course examines the role of crime and punishment in the emergence of modern states from the early modern period onwards. It traces how different societies defined and theorised crime, such as treason and murder, and punished its criminals through capital punishment, confinement, transportation or exile.

This course is essential for students who major in History, and it also complements studies in a wide range of subjects, including Criminology, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Politics, and Anthropology.

About this paper

Paper title Histories of Crime and Punishment
Subject History
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2026 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
One 100-level HIST paper or 54 points
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Contact

angela.wanhalla@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor Angela Wanhalla

Lecturers: 
Professor Mark Seymour
Associate Professor Frances Steel
Professor Angela McCarthy

Textbooks

No textbooks required.

Electronic resources will be available on Blackboard.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the role of crime and punishment in the emergence of modern societies
  • Gain an understanding of crime and punishment in a global context
  • Obtain an appreciation of interdisciplinary perspectives and key concepts in the field
  • Acquire skills of evaluating and interpreting historical sources and debates

Timetable

Not offered in 2026

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Blackboard

Overview

Examines the development of crime and punishment in order to explore the emergence of modern states.

This course examines the role of crime and punishment in the emergence of modern states from the early modern period onwards. It traces how different societies defined and theorised crime, such as treason and murder, and punished its criminals through capital punishment, imprisonment, transportation or exile.

This course is essential for students who major in History, and it also complements studies in a wide range of subjects, including Criminology, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Politics, and Anthropology.

About this paper

Paper title Histories of Crime and Punishment
Subject History
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
One 100-level HIST paper or 54 points
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Contact

angela.wanhalla@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor Angela Wanhalla

Lecturers:
Associate Professor Frances Steel
Professor Mark Seymour
Professor Angela Wanhalla

Textbooks

No textbooks required.

Electronic resources will be available on Aoroa.

Course outline

Available via Aoroa.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the role of crime and punishment in the emergence of modern societies
  • Gain an understanding of crime and punishment in a global context
  • Obtain an appreciation of interdisciplinary perspectives and key concepts in the field
  • Acquire skills of evaluating and interpreting historical sources and debates

Timetable

Semester 1

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Aoroa

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Tuesday 15:00-15:50 9-12, 15-22
Thursday 16:00-16:50 9-12, 15-22

Tutorial

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Friday 14:00-14:50 10-11, 15, 18, 20
A2 Monday 10:00-10:50 10-11, 15, 18, 20
A3 Thursday 15:00-15:50 10-11, 15, 18, 20
A4 Friday 11:00-11:50 10-11, 15, 18, 20
Back to top