Assessment Task 2: Criminology and Deviance – Case Study Analysis

Faculty / School

Faculty of Arts – School of Social Sciences, Department of Criminology

Unit Code

ATS2695: Criminology and Deviance

Assessment Type

Individual Written Assessment – Case Study Analysis

Length

1,500–2,000 words (approximately 4–6 pages)

Weighting

40% of total unit grade

Due Date

Week 6, Friday 11:55pm (AEST) via Moodle submission link

Task Overview

In this assessment, you will undertake a critical case study analysis that examines a documented instance of deviant or criminal behaviour through a criminological framework.
The task invites you to demonstrate theoretical knowledge, analytical reasoning, and the capacity to link social structures, institutions, and individual agency in explaining deviance.
Your analysis should show how criminological theory can illuminate the social context of the offence, the motivations of actors involved, and the responses of justice institutions.

Task Instructions

1. Select a contemporary or historical case that reflects significant aspects of deviance or criminality. Examples may include:
   • The case of Bernie Madoff and white-collar crime
   • The “Operation Triangulum” organised crime investigation in Australia
   • Gendered violence and coercive control cases
   • Institutional or corporate corruption cases
2. Provide a concise and evidence-based summary of the case context, including background, key actors, and relevant social dimensions (e.g., class, gender, power, media portrayal).
3. Apply at least two criminological theories (for instance, Strain Theory, Labelling Theory, Routine Activity Theory, or Critical Criminology) to interpret causes and patterns of behaviour.
4. Analyse how formal institutions (police, courts, corrections) and informal social mechanisms (media, family, community norms) contributed to shaping public understanding or responses to the deviance.
5. Discuss implications for criminological policy and practice — focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, or social reform.
6. Support your arguments with peer-reviewed academic sources and demonstrate sound critical reasoning throughout.

Formatting Requirements

• Word processed, 1.5 spacing, 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font
• Include a title page with your student ID, unit code, and word count
• Harvard Referencing Style (Monash University Library Guide)
• Submit in .docx or .pdf format via Moodle

Marking Criteria

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Demonstrate comprehension of major criminological theories of deviance.
• Apply theoretical concepts to real-world contexts and cases.
• Critically evaluate institutional and social responses to deviance and crime.
• Communicate complex criminological ideas in structured academic writing.

Labelling Theory offers a compelling framework for understanding the persistence of deviance following institutional intervention. In cases of youth delinquency, the label of “offender” may become internalised, reinforcing self-identity in opposition to social norms. Drawing on Becker’s interpretation of deviance as a social construct, the process of labelling contributes not merely to social exclusion but to the reproduction of deviant subcultures. Such insight is vital for evaluating rehabilitative policy effectiveness within Australian justice systems.

Academic Integrity

Monash University maintains strict standards regarding academic honesty. All submissions will be automatically reviewed through plagiarism detection software. Students are expected to adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy.

References

1. Agnew, R. (2019). General Strain Theory and crime: A contemporary overview. Annual Review of Criminology, 2(1), 109–127. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-011518-024638

2. Carrington, K., Dixon, B., & Zajdow, G. (2021). The Palgrave Handbook of Criminology and the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62712-6

3. Hogg, R., Scott, J., & Sozzo, M. (2020). Globalisation and crime: Transnational processes and local consequences. Theoretical Criminology, 24(2), 161–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362480619878429

4. Sampson, R. J. (2023). Collective efficacy theory: The social ecology of crime revisited. Annual Review of Criminology, 6, 59–81. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-030921-040418

5. White, R. (2022). Critical criminology and the climate crisis: Theory, research and action. The British Journal of Criminology, 62(5), 1187–1203. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azac025