Examine the social impacts of criminal behaviour
Criminology is currently one of the fastest growing and most popular areas of study in the social sciences internationally.
Criminology at Otago focuses on the critical study of crime and victimisation, theories of crime causation and prevention, the criminal justice system and the responses of the broader community to crime.
Why study Criminology?
The minor in Criminology provides the opportunity to study core concepts in criminology:
- crime and deviance
- social control
- crime and victimisation in the media and cultural discourses
- the shifting boundary between what is socially considered legitimate and criminal behaviour
- the wider institutional dynamics of legal systems
- justice processes and institutions.
Combine the Criminology minor with high-profile majors
Students who take the minor in Criminology will find that it provides both an opportunity to study a fascinating and relevant area of life in New Zealand and a strong support programme for some of Otago’s high-profile disciplinary majors like Psychology, Sociology, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Politics, or Media, Film and Communication Studies.
Diploma for Graduates in Criminology
The Diploma for Graduates in Criminology enables students to develop a sophisticated understanding of how crime has been defined, researched, represented and governed across time and space, and in Aotearoa New Zealand today. We examine a wide variety of different forms of crime and theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding and researching crime.We explore the criminal justice system, victims’ perspectives on crime, and crime in relation to gender, ethnicity, class, medial, culture, technology, the environment, and more.
The Diploma for Graduates is ideal for students planning towards careers in areas such as social work, law, human rights, justice advocacy, the criminal justice system, violence prevention, and victim support. Our programme can also serve as a bridge to postgraduate study.
The Diploma for Graduates in Criminology consists of papers worth at least 120 points, of which four papers are at 300-level or above. The programme may be completed in one year full-time, or over more than one year part-time.
Career opportunities
Students studying Criminology will be introduced to insights and debates that can help inform their future careers in law, social work, teaching, public health, theological ministry or work with
Programme requirements
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) endorsed in Criminology
| Papers required |
|---|
Note: Endorsement may require enrolment in papers totalling more than 120 points, depending on the extent of prior study in relevant subjects and whether the student wishes to be eligible for postgraduate study in the subject of endorsement.
Minor subject requirements
Criminology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level |
SOCI 103 Crime, Deviance and Social Transformation |
18 |
| Above 100-level |
CRIM 201 Crime, Justice and Society 54 points, including at least 18 above 200- level from ANTH 327, ANTH 424, ENGL 243, FORB 201, GEND 208 or GEND 308, GEND 209 or GEND 309, GEND 210 or GEND 310, GEND 311, HIST 215, HIST 234, HIST 242, LAWS 410, LAWS 417, MFCO 212, POLS 202, PSYC 204, PSYC 325, SOCI 203 |
18 54 |
| Total | 90 |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology Programme
School of Social Sciences
Email sgsc@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/sgc
