Course syllabus autumn 2021
Course syllabus autumn 2021
Title
Criminology: Contemporary Criminology
Swedish title
Kriminologi: Samtida kriminologi
Course code
KA831E
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
2019-08-23
Syllabus valid from
2021-08-30
Entry requirements
A bachelor’s degree with a major in social- or behaviour sciences or medicine and English 6.
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 Master’s Program in Criminology and is a course within the main field of study that may be counted toward the Master’s Degree in Criminology. The course is also offered as an independent course.
Course objectives
The aim of the course is for the student to acquire knowledge of contemporary themes and issues with relevance for the field of criminology. An additional aim is for the student to acquire knowledge on how modern criminological theories and research methods can be applied to address contemporary problems of societal relevance.
Course contents
This course introduces and explores current issues in Criminology, focusing on the latest research and societal developments. The course familiarizes students with contemporary criminological research and societal debates, and with how criminology engages with contemporary problems of societal relevance.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. describe and explain recent trends in the developments of Criminology as research area,
2. outline and critically examine important contemporary debates and issues with relevance for the field of criminology, and society more generally,
3. demonstrate and motivate how criminology can be put in use to solve contemporary problems of societal relevance.
Learning activities
The teaching takes the form of lectures (learning outcomes 1-3), seminars and independent studies (1-3). Seminars that include a presentation (learning outcome 3) are compulsory.
Assessment
Learning outcomes 1-2 are assessed through an individual compulsory written paper. Focus of assessment of the written paper is the student’s ability to describe and critically discuss recent trends and issues relevant to the field of Criminology. Learning outcome 3 is assessed on the basis of an oral group presentation. The focus of assessment of the latter assignment is the student’s ability to demonstrate and motivate how criminology can be put in use to solve real world problems. Individual performance is assessed by students completing a log book that describes each student’s individual contributions. Any absence in compulsory parts shall, at the discretion of the examiner, be compensated by an individual written assignment.
To receive a Passing Grade (C, D or E) it is required that the student have passed on all the examining and compulsory assignments. Achievement of the Grade of Distinction (A or B) requires that the student have passed on the presentation (E), and originality and deeper understanding of recent trends and issues relevant to the field of Criminology characterize the individual paper and has been assessed with the grade A or B.
Right to re-take
Students who fail the exam are given the opportunity to do two re-takes with the same course content and with the same requirements. The student also has the right to take the examination in the same course in the subsequent course according to the same rule. Examination and re-takes are carried out at the times specified in the course schedule.
Course literature and other study material
Loeber R, Welsh B C, (Eds.), (2012) The future of criminology. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. 278 s.
Tittle CR, (2016) Introduction: Theory and contemporary criminology. In A. R. Piquero
(Ed.), The handbook of criminological theory (pp. 1-17). Surrey, UK: Wiley
Blackwell. 17 s.
van Gelder J-L, Van Daele S, (2014) Innovative data collection methods in criminological research: Editorial introduction. Crime Science, 3 (1). 4 s.
Väfors Fritz M, Khoshnood A, (Eds.) (2019) Crime, Victimization and Vulnerability in Malmö. Lund: Studentlitteratur.171 s.
Additional articles from scientific journals will also be included, approx. 200 p.
Course evaluation
The course coordinator is responsible for conducting a summative evaluation in connection with the course's completion. The course coordinator provides the feedback to the students at the beginning of the next course. Notes from the feedback are made available to the course's students, and feedback is given to the students who will start the course in the next course session.
Interim rules
If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students are offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes