Course syllabus autumn 2015
Course syllabus autumn 2015
Title
Evidence-based Crime Prevention
Swedish title
Evidence-based Crime Prevention
Course code
KA733E
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Health and Society
Syllabus approval date
2013-08-21
Syllabus valid from
2014-09-01
Entry requirements
1. Bachelor’s degree with a major in social- or behavioural science or medicine.
2. English B.
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Criminology
Progression level
A1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is given in the third term of the Masters Program in Criminology and is a course within the main field of study that may be counted toward the Masters Degree in Criminology. The course is also offered as an independent course.
Course objectives
The aim of this course is for the student to develop knowledge about measures that prevent crime and about the interventions that interrupt an existing criminal career. Furthermore, the course aims to deepen the student’s knowledge of different professional efforts in contributing to crime prevention initiatives.
Course contents
The course considers the knowledge about the theoretical and empirical foundations of crime prevention. Definitions of relevant concepts and their interconnected relations are also considered. This is followed by an overarching examination of the national as well as international research pertaining to contemporary crime prevention within different disciplinary areas. From this perspective, integrated crime prevention strategies and goal-settings are discussed from the context of central agencies of crime prevention such as the police, social welfare and health services. Furthermore, these agencies strategies of evidence-based research will be discussed.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. describe the theoretical grounds that apply to crime prevention,
2. describe the central problem areas,
3. describe the function, work and goals of crime preventions central actors, and
4. analyze and apply evidence-based crime prevention strategies and measures.
Learning activities
The learning activities are conducted in the form of lectures, independent study, group work, class presentations and seminars. The student is expected to be acquainted with the course literature before each lecture. To achieve learning outcomes 1 and 2, the student shall take part in lectures where the theoretical and empirical foundations, as well as the development of evidence-based crime prevention is presented and discussed. Furthermore, the student shall discuss and present acquired knowledge during group activities at course seminars. To achieve learning outcomes 3 and 4, the student shall, over and above participation at lectures and seminars, prepare and present other written and oral assignments.
Assessment
Assessment of student performance is determined on the basis of written essays, as well as by obligatory written and oral assignments, conducted individually or in groups. The focus of the assessments is knowledge and understanding, as well as the student’s ability to critically reflect and apply the knowledge developed during the course. Of all the scheduled sessions, seminar attendance is mandatory and constitutes, together with individually submitted assignments, the basis for assessment in the course. Course aims 1 and 2 are assessed by an individually written assignment. Course aims 3 and 4 are also assessed by an applied written assignment which is also orally presented to the class. Absence from obligatory sessions can be fulfilled according to the examiner’s discretion.
Right to re-examination
A student who fails to achieve a passing grade in the course examination will be given the opportunity to be re-examined twice according to same course content and with the same requirements. In addition, students also have the right to be examined on the same course the next time the course is offered according to the same regulations. If the course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student has a right to re-examination on two occasions within one year, based on the syllabus that was in place at the time the student registered for the course. Examination and re-examination take place at the times specified in the schedule.
Course literature and other study material
Farrington D P, Welsh B C (2007). Preventing Crime. What Works for Children, Offenders, Victims and Places. Dordrecht: Springer Verlag. 250 p.
Holloway K, Bennett T H, Farrington D P (2008). Effectiveness of Treatment in Reducing Drug-Related Crime. Stockholm. National Council for Crime Prevention, Västerås: Edita Norstedts, 40 p.
Patterson J, Barlow J, Mockford C, Klimes I, Pyper C, Stewart-Brown S. (2002). Improving mental health through parenting programmes: Blockrandomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 87, 472– 477. 5 p.
Piquero A, Farrington D P, Welsh B, Tremblay R, Jennings W (2009). Effects of Early Family/Parent Training Programs on Antisocial Behavior and Delinquency. Journal of Experimental Criminology, Vol. 5, No 2. 38 p.
Savolainen J. (2005). Think Nationally, Act Locally: The Municipal-level Effects of the National Crime Prevention Program in Finland. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research 11:175-191. 16 p.
Sherman L W, Farrington P D, Welsh B C, MacKenzie, D L (2006). Evidence-Based Crime Prevention. London: Routledge. 480 p.
Tilley N (2009). Crime Prevention. Collumpton: Willian Publishing. 224 p.
Walters R. (1996). The ‘Dream’ of Multi-Agency Crime Prevention: Pitfalls in Policy and Practice. In (Ed) R. Hommel. The Politics and Practice of Situational Crime Prevention. Crime Prevention Studies Series 5. Monsey. New York. Criminal Justice Press. 25 p.
Relevant legal texts and cases, as well as scientific articles and materials will as be included.
Course evaluation
The course coordinator/examiner is responsible for ensuring that a summary course evaluation is conducted at the end of the course. The coordinator will relay these results to the students at a prearranged time. Memory notes from the feedback, including proposals for changes to the course, will be documented and made available on the course website, and will also be relayed to the students who begin the course the next time it is given.