ASOK15404U Criminology - NB this course is closed for further registration

This course is an introduction to criminology, i.e., the measurement, prediction, explanation and prevention of crime. The course begins with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the four primary measures of crime (police data, victim surveys, self-report surveys, emergency room statistics) and then examines the volume of crime cross-nationally and over time within these measurement contexts. Criminal events (crimes) are distinguished from criminal propensity (criminality) and the distributions of both are discussed in terms of their primary correlates (e.g., age, gender, social class, prior history) and manifestations in criminal careers. Theories concerning the causes of crime and criminality are examined from their 18th century Classical roots (e.g., Bentham, Beccaria) through 20th century sociological positivism (e.g., Merton, Sutherland, Hirschi), as well as within biological and Neo-Classical perspectives. The history of punishment is outlined and its stated philosophical aims (deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, retribution) are considered in terms of logic and effectiveness. The Danish prison system is described in an international context and argued to be just as effective, yet far more humane, than many of its non-Scandinavian counterparts. A class tour of a Danish prison brings these discussions to life by highlighting the qualitatively different nature of “Scandinavian exceptionalism” as seen from an international perspective. The relationship between drugs, alcohol and crime is discussed, and anti-drug policies are considered in light of both abolitionist and harm reduction philosophies. The “criminal careers of places” are compared to those of persons both epidemiologically and in terms of amenability to treatment. Possibilities for crime prevention are discussed from a standpoint of reducing offender motivation, reducing the pool of motivated offenders, and/or reducing the physical opportunities for crime (e.g., Situational Crime Prevention; CPTED). The lectures consistently compare Scandinavian aspects of crime and crime policy to conditions and practices in the USA and other countries. This is done partly because of the diversity of student backgrounds and partly because of the unique nature of the Scandinavian criminological context, which is characterized by high social cohesion, low socio-economic disparity and very low rates of imprisonment.