Madison Pondeljak, who’s studying a combined criminology/law degree at @Deakin, reflects on her studies @DeakinCrim
Q. Thank you for taking the time to provide a reflection about your experience studying Criminology at Deakin, Maddie. Before we dive into the specifics of the degree, can you tell us about yourself and your interests?
A. I am currently in my final year studying a Bachelor of Criminology/Law at Deakin University. My introduction to Criminology began back in 2016 when I commenced a Bachelor of Criminology/Psychology at Deakin. After transferring to my current degree, my interest in crime and criminological theory heightened because I became interested in learning about the ways in which criminology and law intersect, and particularly understanding the impacts that laws have on society. I also have an interest in watching crime documentaries and reading crime fiction, although I appreciate that these forms of popular culture do not always depict the reality of crime and criminal victimisation.
Q. Maddie, what have you liked most about studying Criminology at Deakin?
A. I have favoured the structure Deakin provides for Criminology, and the diverse subject areas across the degree. The degree enables students to study current and emerging crime and justice issues in national and international contexts, allowing students to gain diverse insights into the discipline. Most subjects supplement the theoretical content with practical examples which really brings criminological theory to life. The diverse offerings of the degree also facilitate the development of a wide variety of career aspirations. There are ample opportunities to select your own topics for assessments, and to plan your degree according to your passion, interests and/or work/life situation. The workload is supplemented by plenty of resources provided through the Deakin Cloud site for each unit so that students can study independently and let curiosity lead the way.
Q. Were there any units/topics that you found most inspiring within the discipline?
A. I was particularly inspired by ‘Crime, Media and Justice’ (a second year elective) and the ‘Criminology Practicum’ (re-named ‘Careers in Criminology’, offer to third year students) because of the ways in which they brought theory to life and applied the Unit content to practical considerations and perspectives. That said, I enjoyed every unit of the degree as they each had their own challenges and opportunities.
Q. Would you say the degree has challenged or shaped your understanding of crime and justice? If so, how?
A. Yes, definitely. Criminology has equipped me with a broader and more enriched understanding about crime, justice and public policy. The discipline has encouraged me to look beyond the law and understand the social science behind crime in its many forms. It has introduced theory as a new lens through which to analyse government or other criminal justice policy. The degree has also challenged my understanding of ‘fairness’ within the criminal justice system – both for accused people and victim/survivors – and has shed light on the differences between legal systems in Australian and international jurisdictions.
Q. Where do you wish to take your degree?
A. My aspirations are to pursue a career path within either criminal or civil law, and become a full time barrister. I have also developed a strong interest in researching and writing, so I would like to write opinion pieces on issues that inspire me, and perhaps even start a blog of my own. I will use the invaluable and innovative skills, perspectives and knowledge acquired from my double degree to compliment my growth in future career pathways.
Q. What thinking/skills have you acquired from Criminology that could equip you for different work contexts?
A. One of the first skills I learnt from the discipline was the importance of statistics, as well as evidence-based empirical data. As I was rarely exposed to this form of analysis in law, it was useful to learn about the relevance of different research methods and how they further understandings of crime and justice. I also learnt how to effectively utilise research databases and identify reputable sources to formulate an informed response to a research essay, for example. Criminology also enhanced my critical thinking in ways that I wouldn’t have previously imagined. Beyond the ‘facts’, you are encouraged to critically explore and analyse policy, theory and the nuance of arguments. These skill-sets are highly valuable for a wide variety of future work contexts.