The aim of the course is to train students in the knowledge of criminology, understood as the scientific activity of analysing the reality of crime and the strategies aimed at its detection, prevention and containment.

Following common elements, the lectures will deal with elements of Criminology from both a sociological (A) and clinical-investigative (B) perspective. The exams and textbooks adopted will therefore be differentiated.

A. Definition, characteristics, object and purpose of criminological research; relations with criminal policy and criminal law; the evolution of criminological thought; basic methodologies of criminological research; "registered" crimes and hidden crime; the "definition" and aetiology of crime according to sociological approaches.

B. Scientific investigation, computer forensics; juvenile deviance, cyberbullying, family violence; economic crime, unauthorised immigration on the territory of the State; organised crime, terrorism; Serial Killers - School massacres - UNODC Firearms Program.

There is no mandatory prerequisite. The opposite is true: the study of criminology is in fact preparatory to the study of criminal law.

By the end of the course students will have acquired the following competences:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Awareness of the characteristics and functions of criminology as an empirical science directed towards the containment and prevention of crime.
• Applying knowledge and understanding
• Knowledge of the main contributions of criminological research aimed at identifying the social and individual causes of the discomfort expressed by criminal behaviour.
• Making judgements
• Knowledge of the methods of investigation of criminological research and ability to adequately read statistical data on crime.
• Communication skills
• The student will be able to communicate clearly and unambiguously his or her conclusions in relation to the issues in the field.
• Learning skills
• The student will be able to understand and evaluate the criminal policy underlying the choices expressed by the legislator through criminal law and the interventions made through crime prevention programmes.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Seminars

Teaching

Lectures, term papers, seminars.

Attendance

None

Course books

A. For the sociological focus, both texts by

• F.P. Williams – M. D. McShane, Devianza e criminalità, il Mulino, ultima edizione
• R.M.Barboni (a cura di) Ecologia del crimine: Città e criminalità, a cura, Metauro ed., 2005

B. For the clinical-investigative focus

R. De Luca – C. Macrì – B. Zoli (a cura di), Anatomia del crimine in Italia, Giuffrè, ultima edizione, for all: pag. 1-286 (Definizione, ambito di applicazione, investigazione scientifica); pag. 331- 365 (Informatica forense); pag. 422 - 441 (Statistiche dei reati); pag. 444 - 488 (Percezione del crimine e mass media) and optionally one of the following topics:

• pag. 485 - 589 (Maltrattamenti e abusi infanzia, pedofilia)
• pag. 591 - 706 (Crimini dei minori, cyberbullismo, bande giovanili)
• pag. 711 - 812 (Criminalità economica, immigrazione clandestina, criminalità organizzata)
• pag. 851 - 959 (Serial killer, mass murder, stragi nelle scuole)
• pag. 961 - 1030 (Terrorismo)
• pag. 1033 - 1112 (Stalking, femminicidio, vittimologia)

Assessment

Oral test. The oral interview is used to assess not only the student's ability to communicate but also the acquisition of the analytical and critical skills required of the student in view of the complexity of the issues and arguments covered by the course, whose knowledge and understanding the student must demonstrate.

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by the formulation of three or more questions. The assessment criteria and marks are determined according to the following scale:

• less than 18/30 - insufficient level: the candidate does not achieve any of the learning outcomes expected under 'knowledge and understanding';
• 18-20/30 - sufficient level: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes under the heading 'knowledge and understanding';
• 21-23/30 - fully sufficient: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes specified under the headings 'knowledge and understanding' and 'applied knowledge and understanding';
• 24-26/30 - good level: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes specified in the points 'knowledge and understanding', 'applied knowledge and understanding' and 'independent judgement'; 
• 27-29/30 - very good: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes stipulated at the points 'knowledge and understanding'; 'applied knowledge and understanding'; 'independent judgement' and 'communication skills';
• 30-30 with distinction - excellent level: the candidate fully achieves the learning outcomes expected at the points 'knowledge and understanding'; 'applied knowledge and understanding'; 'independent judgement'; 'communication skills' and 'ability to learn'.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Lectures, term papers, seminars.

Attendance

None

Course books

A. For the sociological focus, both texts by

• F.P. Williams – M. D. McShane, Devianza e criminalità, il Mulino, ultima edizione
• R.M.Barboni (a cura di) Ecologia del crimine: Città e criminalità, a cura, Metauro ed., 2005

B. For the clinical-investigative focus

R. De Luca – C. Macrì – B. Zoli (a cura di), Anatomia del crimine in Italia, Giuffrè, ultima edizione, for all: pag. 1-286 (Definizione, ambito di applicazione, investigazione scientifica); pag. 331- 365 (Informatica forense); pag. 422 - 441 (Statistiche dei reati); pag. 444 - 488 (Percezione del crimine e mass media) and optionally one of the following topics:

• pag. 485 - 589 (Maltrattamenti e abusi infanzia, pedofilia)
• pag. 591 - 706 (Crimini dei minori, cyberbullismo, bande giovanili)
• pag. 711 - 812 (Criminalità economica, immigrazione clandestina, criminalità organizzata)
• pag. 851 - 959 (Serial killer, mass murder, stragi nelle scuole)
• pag. 961 - 1030 (Terrorismo)
• pag. 1033 - 1112 (Stalking, femminicidio, vittimologia)

Assessment

Oral test. The oral interview is used to assess not only the student's ability to communicate but also the acquisition of the analytical and critical skills required of the student in view of the complexity of the issues and arguments covered by the course, whose knowledge and understanding the student must demonstrate.

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by the formulation of three or more questions. The assessment criteria and marks are determined according to the following scale:

• less than 18/30 - insufficient level: the candidate does not achieve any of the learning outcomes expected under 'knowledge and understanding';
• 18-20/30 - sufficient level: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes under the heading 'knowledge and understanding';
• 21-23/30 - fully sufficient: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes specified under the headings 'knowledge and understanding' and 'applied knowledge and understanding';
• 24-26/30 - good level: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes specified in the points 'knowledge and understanding', 'applied knowledge and understanding' and 'independent judgement'; 
• 27-29/30 - very good: the candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes stipulated at the points 'knowledge and understanding'; 'applied knowledge and understanding'; 'independent judgement' and 'communication skills';
• 30-30 with distinction - excellent level: the candidate fully achieves the learning outcomes expected at the points 'knowledge and understanding'; 'applied knowledge and understanding'; 'independent judgement'; 'communication skills' and 'ability to learn'.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.