Macquarie University

Gender and Crime: Spotlight on Masculinities - GEND220

A growing body of literature from criminology, psychology, evolutionary psychology, media studies, women's studies and men's studies is coming to focus on men in relation to crime. In particular, they are putting the spotlight on gender and its determinations. How are the social constructions of masculinity, within and across cultures, implicated in the conduct and character of crime? Alternatively (in socio-biology), how are the biological constructions of masculinity, within the body (hormones and genes) and across time (evolution), implicated in crime? The unit explores these central questions across a range of topics. Gender is complicated by other dimensions of difference: race and ethnicity, class, sexuality, generation, and more. Males are considered as both perpetrators and victims of crime. Further complication is found in problematising the perpetrator/victim opposition. Special attention is paid to Australian material, but the displacements of modernity and globalisation (the need to find work, escape conflict etc) are also brought into consideration. Focus is on the 'the naughty boy'; 'the juvenile delinquent'; 'the gang banger'; 'the prisoner'; 'the king of his castle'; the stranger of 'stranger danger'; 'the paedophile' and 'the gay basher'; 'the white collar criminal' and 'the people smuggler'; the 'terrorist', the 'war criminal', the 'veteran', and more.

Timetable Information

For unit timetable information and session dates for external offerings please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.