02513 - Criminology

Learning outcomes

Students in this course will become familiar with the most important criminological theories and will  be able to understand and discuss critically the relevant issues and research findings in criminology and deviance, in particular from a sociological perspective. The course will provide a comprehensive background for students interested in sociology, criminology and social control, including those students who want to broaden their interest in criminal law in a more sociological perspective.

Course contents

In this course we will cover a broad range of topics related to criminology as a theoretical discipline and as the basis for criminal policies. In the first part of the course we will work on the main criminological theories, with a special focus on the classical sociological explanations of crime developed in the US during the past century. The second part of the course will be dedicated to look critically to the most recent developments of criminology (green criminology, feminist and cultural criminology). The final part of this course will focus on some current controversies in criminological international debate (i.e. crime trends) and on empirical research findings. The influence of criminological theories and theories of social control on current criminal policies will be discussed.

 

Erasmus students are welcome during the professor's office hours (see "Office Hours") for questions concerning the program and procedures of the examination and for any other matter of interest. (Please note that certificates of attendance will be handed out only to those students who have attended and passed the exam).

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings for all students:   

Dario Melossi, Stato, controllo sociale, devianza: teorie criminologiche e società  tra Europa e Stati Uniti, Bruno Mondadori, Milano, 2002, pp. 1-306.

Franck P. Williams, Marylin D. McShane, "Devianza e criminalità", Il Mulino, Bologna, 2002

Capitoli VI (Teoria dell'anomia), pagine 85-98,

VII (Teorie della subcultura), pagine 99-118;

X (Teoria del controllo sociale), pagine 159-176;

XII (Teorie razionali), pagine 191-200;

XIII (Teorie di genere), pagine 201-214.

For students who do not attend, a choice between these two readings is also mandatory (recommended for student who attend).

a) Rossella Selmini (a cura di), "La sicurezza urbana", Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004:

- "Le fonti statistiche" di Arcidiacono e Sacchini, pagine 65-78;

- "La ricerca qualitativa" di Colombo, pagine 79-90;

- "Le vittime" di Arsani e Muratore, pagine 187-198;

- "La prevenzione" di Selmini, pagine 219-231;

and:

Dario Melossi, Massimo Pavarini, Carcere e fabbrica, il Mulino, Bologna, 2018, pp.1-334 (selected chapters).

Further readings (alternative to these ones) might be suggested for students who attend regularly.

Teaching methods

Lectures, discussions, small groups activities.

Attendace is strongly recommended

Assessment methods

Final oral exams (no intermediate)

Only those students who have already passed the examination in Criminal Law will be allowed to take  the exam in Criminology (this however does not apply to "Erasmus" or "Overseas" students).

Teaching tools

Power point, and audio-visual materials (Film, documentaries)

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Selmini