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2020/2021

Introduction to Criminology

Code: 100434 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500257 Criminology FB 1 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Josep Cid Moliné
Email:
Josep.Cid@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Other comments on languages

Lectures will be provided in Catalan, but in case the course is attended by international students, the language will be Spanish. Seminars will be provided in Catalan and Spanish.

Teachers

Helena Mulero Alcaraz
Esther de la Encarnación Ordóñez
Ferran Restrepo Arrufat

Prerequisites

A minimum B1 English level is highly advised to follow the course.

Objectives and Contextualisation

The aim of this subject consist of approaching the student to the criminological perspective of social problems, understanding the configuration or criminology  as an autonomous discipline and reflecting on  its main dimensions as a science and as a practice.

Competences

  • Ability to analyse and summarise.
  • Accessing and interpreting sources of crime data.
  • Drawing up an academic text.
  • Reflecting on the foundations of criminology (theoretical, empirical and ethical-political ones) and expressing this in analysis and propositions.
  • Using research methods in social sciences in order to diagnose criminality problems.
  • Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  • Working autonomously.
  • Working in teams and networking.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Ability to analyse and summarise.
  2. Applying the scientific research methods in order to analyse criminality figures.
  3. Carrying out analysis and propositions about criminological problems using the scientific method of the criminological science.
  4. Drawing up an academic text.
  5. Finding and using the databases of criminological content.
  6. Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  7. Working autonomously.
  8. Working in teams and networking.

Content

I. DEFINITION OF CRIMINOLOGY

1. What is criminology?

2. Object of criminology: crime, crime control methods and victims.

3. Similarities and differences between criminology and other disciplines (Psychology, Sociology, Education, Law). Criminology, criminal investigation and crime science.

II CRIMINOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

4. History of criminology

5. Scientific questions and hypothesis in criminology. The problem of causality.

6. Research methods.

III. CRIMINOLOGY AS A PRACTICE

7. Crime prevention strategies

8. Actors and methods of crime prevention

9. Relation between theory and practice

IV. LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY

10. The process of criminalization

11. The law as a framework for criminological intervention

V. VALUES IN CRIMINOLOGY

12. Values in research

13. Values in practice

Methodology

Statement

Teaching will be mixed: lectures will be online and seminars face-to-face.

Methodologies

The process of learning will be achieved through the following activities:

(i) Lectures. The professor  will stimulate participation of students

(ii) Seminars for discussing papers. The student should have read the paper and write an essay answering the questions proposed by the professor. The maximum length is 800 words. During the seminar the paper will be discussed in small groups.

(iii) Seminars for the Group  Research Project. During the seminar students will present their progress in the group work and will receive the feedback of the professors.  The Group  Research Project Students will be devoted to deepen into an specific crime problem. Students will have the possibility to chose among different subjects.

(iv) Tutorials. The student is expected to demand individual and group tutorials to the professors of the course  to solve problems.

(v) Exam preparation.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 19.5 0.78 2, 3, 1, 6, 5
Seminars 19.5 0.78 4, 6, 8
Type: Autonomous      
Group research project 31 1.24
Individual assignments 75 3 2, 3, 4, 1, 7

Assessment

1. Model of assessment

Continuous assessment. The student will be able to know the achievement and he/she will receive indications to improve.

Items of evaluation: Individual Essays (25%), Group Research Project (25%); Attendance and Participation (25%); Exam (25%)

2. Requirements for being assessed

Minimum attendance of 80% to lectures and seminars, present at east 4 oof the 5 essays, do the group research work and do the exam.

3. Requirements for passing the subject and resit

Minimum mark of 5 in the four items of assessment. In case of failure of the individual essays, group work and exam, a second chance will be given. In case of resit de maximum mark is 5.

4. Excellent achievement

The student with an average of 8/10 in the course and 8/10 in the exam will be granted 1 point extra. After counting this extra point, the honours will be granted to the students with the best final marks, equal or higher than 9.

5. Essays  out of time

Essays not presented at due time, will not be accepted and the student will get a 0 in the essay. Only excuses due to illness or similar serious reasons will be considered.

6. Excuses

Failure to comply with duties due to illness or other serious reasons will be considered, provided there is a valid certification.

7. Consequences of fraud

An student that cheat or attempt to cheat in the exam will get a 0,losing the right to a  second chance. Plagiarism will conduct to a fail of the essay and, in case of recidivism the student will receive a fail mark, losing the right of being reassessed.

8. Punctuality

Classes start on time. Late arrival is not admitted.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Attendance and participation 25% 0 0 2, 3, 1, 6
Essays 25% 0 0 2, 3, 4, 1, 7
Exam 25% 5 0.2 2, 3, 1, 7, 5
Group research work 25% 0 0 2, 3, 4, 1, 6, 8

Bibliography

1. TEXTBOOK

Students need to consult at least one of the following handbooks. These handbooks are also useful for several subjects of the degree.

Garrido, V. & Redondo, S. (2013). Principios de Criminología. 4ª ed. Valencia: Tirant lo Blanch.

Newburn, T. (2017). Criminology. Abingdon: Routledge.

2. COMPULSORY READINGS

Part 1 Definition of criminogy

Newburn, T. (2017). Understanding crime and criminology . Criminology (Chapter 1). Abingdon: Routledge.

Part 2. Criminology and science

Bernard, T.,  Snipes, J. &  Gerould, A. (2010). Theory and crime. Vold's Theoretical Criminology (pp. 1-13). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Part 3  Criminology and practice

Wilson. J. Q. & Kelling G. (1982). Broken windows: the police and neighbourhood safety. Atlantic Monthly, March, 29-38.

Part 4. Criminology and law

Sutherland, E. (1949). The problem of white collar crime (pp. 3-10). White Collar Crime. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Part 5.Criminology and values

 Newburn, T. (2017). Race, crime and justice . Criminology (Chapter 32). Abingdon: Routledge.

3. OTHER REFERENCE HANDBOOKS

Medina, J (2011). Políticas y estrategias de prevencion del delito y seguridad ciudadana. Buenos Aires: Edisofer.

Larrauri, Elena (2018). Introducción a la criminología y al sistema penal. Madrid: Trotta.