ASOK05311U Criminology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MA Thematic course
BA-undergraduates from foreign countries can sign up for this course.
Content
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. Participation in the course assumes at least some background in social theory and research methods, and an ability to deal with basic descriptive statistics.
Learning Outcome
To train students to think critically about crime and its causes, and to evaluate the logic and effectiveness of criminal justice responses.
Literature
Lectures
MA-level (English)
Not for undergraduates from our own Department of Sociology
Not for undergraduates from other danish departments
BA-Undergraduates from foreign countries can sign up for this course.

Kurset fungerer samtidig som linjefag i specialiseringsretningen: Kultursociologi
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • Exam
  • 123,5
  • Preparation
  • 123,5
  • Total
  • 275,0
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Assesment: 7-point scale
Individual or group
Examiner: Internal examiner
Size: A Free written take-home essay of maximum 15 pages of 2400 characters each page (incl. spaces). If written by a group, the essay may be 50 % of 2400 characters each page longer per additional student.
Attention: When handing in as a group, the contribution of each student must be pointed out
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal examiners
Exam period
Handing in of papers: 12.00 o’clock in the secretariat (16.1.26) Submission dates will be available during September.
Criteria for exam assesment
See course aims
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Assesment: 7-point scale
Individual
Examiner: Internal examiner
Size: A synopsis of maximum 3 pages of 2400 characters. The synopsis may be handed in as a group. However, the oral exam is on individual basis. The synopsis itself is meant as a discussion paper and does not enter into the assessment
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal examiner
Exam period
Handing in of papers: 12.00 o’clock in the secretariat (16.1.26) Submission dates will be available during September.
Criteria for exam assesment
See course aims

Course information

Language
English
Course code
ASOK05311U
Credit
10 ECTS
Level
Full Degree Master
Duration
1 semester
Placement
Autumn
Schedule
See schedule
Continuing and further education
 
Price
Læs mere om Åbent Universitet og priser her.
Study board
Department of Sociology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Sociology
Course responsibles
  • David W.M. Sorensen   (david.woodrow.mattson.sorensen@jur.ku.dk)
  • David Kiertzner  (dk@samf.ku.dk)
    Studiekoordinator
Lecturers

David W.M. Sorensen

Saved on the 18-06-2013