EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
COURSE SYLLABUS
2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: CRIMINOLOGY - PENOLOGY |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW 204 | B | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) | Dr. Alba Gërdeci agerdeci@epoka.edu.al |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Dr. Alba Gërdeci agerdeci@epoka.edu.al |
| Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Language: | English |
| Compulsory/Elective: | Compulsory |
| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) | Integrated second cycle study program in Law |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | |
| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline" |
| Attendance Requirement: | |
| Course Description: | This course introduces the study of crime and criminality. It will be discussed how crime is defined, its existence and distribution over different types of societies, the different methods to measure the extent and nature of crime, major theories of crime causation, characteristics of types of criminal conduct, and approaches to crime control. The second part involves the introduction to penology and the ability to analyze perspectives, theories, and forms of legal punishment to contemporary developments. |
| Course Objectives: | This course provides an introduction to the field of criminology and penology, examining the nature, causes, and consequences of crime, as well as society’s responses to criminal behavior. Students will explore major criminological theories, patterns and trends in crime, victimization, and the operation of the criminal justice system. The course also introduces the study of penology, focusing on punishment, corrections, prisons, rehabilitation, and contemporary debates on criminal sanctions. Through the analysis of key concepts, theories, case studies, and current issues, students will develop critical thinking skills and gain an understanding of the legal, social and policy dimensions of crime and punishment. The course encourages active engagement, discussion, and the application of criminological and penological perspectives to real-world challenges. |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | Crime |
| 2 | Criminology |
| 3 | Penology |
| 4 | Rehabilitation |
| 5 | Deterrence |
| 6 | Incapacitation |
| 7 | Victimology |
| 8 | Punishment |
| 9 | Imprisonment |
| 10 | Restorative Justice |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Introduction to syllabi - Introduction to the Course and its Learning Objectives - Course Materials - Evaluation Method and Semester Research Assignment Format and Timeline |
| 2 | Part I The scope of crime: Thinking critically about crime, Measuring Crime, Fuller - Book Chapter 1, 2 Pages 1-50 |
| 3 | Part I The scope of crime: Victims of Crime. Part II Theories of Crime: The Classical and Positivist Schools of Criminology, Fuller - Book Chapter 3, 4 Pages 51 - 110 |
| 4 | Part II Theories of Crime: Biological and Psychological Theories, Sociological Theories of Crime and Delinquency , Fuller - Book Chapter 4,5, Pages 111-174 |
| 5 | Part II Theories of Crime: Life-Course and Integrated Theories, Conflict and Critical Theories of Crime, Fuller - Book Chapter 7,8 Pages 175 - 232 |
| 6 | Part III Typologies of Crime: Property Offenses, Criminal Offenses against people, Fuller - Book Chapter 9,10 Pages 232-258 |
| 7 | Part III Typologies of Crime: Organized Crime and White Collar Crime, Public Order Offenses and Values, Fuller - Book Chapter 11-12, Pages 293 - 346 |
| 8 | Part IV Responding to Crime: Terrorism and Hate Crime, Criminology Technology and Privacy, Fuller - Book Chapter 13-14, Pages 347 - 401 |
| 9 | Midterm |
| 10 | Part I Penology: Foundations of Penology and Theories of Punishment, Harrison - Pages 1–70 |
| 11 | Part II Penology: Sentencing and Penal Decision-Making, Harrison - Pages 71–140 |
| 12 | Part III Penology: Imprisonment, Alternatives, Community Sanctions, Harrison - Pages 141–230 Penitentiary system and legal status of prisoners in Albania |
| 13 | Part IV: Critical issues in penology: Reintegration, Youth Justice, and Inequalities, Harrison - Pages 231–end Challenges of penitentiary system and status of prisoners in Albania |
| 14 | Research Assignment Presentation and Feedback, General Review for the Final Exam |
| Prerequisite(s): | |
| Textbook(s): | 1. Fuller, John Randolph (2019). Introduction to Criminology: A Brief Edition. Oxford University Press. This textbook serves as the primary course resource and provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of crime, criminological theories, criminal behavior, victimization, and societal responses to crime. It examines the major criminological theories, the measurement of crime, patterns and types of criminal behavior, and contemporary issues in criminal justice. 2. Harrison, K. (2019) Penology: Theory, Policy and Practice. London: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781137607836. This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to penology, examining the theories, policies, and practices that underpin modern punishment systems. |
| Additional Literature: | Kriminologjia, Penologjia nga Prof. As. Dr. Vasilika Hysi Lecture notes and additional materials to be shared weekly on google class. |
| Laboratory Work: | |
| Computer Usage: | |
| Others: | No |
|
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | Explain core concepts and theories in criminology and penology, including crime, punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and social control. |
| 2 | Analyze different forms of punishment and correctional systems, including prisons, probation, parole, and community-based sanctions. |
| 3 | Evaluate major criminological theories (e.g., classical, positivist, sociological) and their application to criminal behavior and justice policies. |
| 4 | Critically assess contemporary issues in criminal justice systems, such as recidivism, prison overcrowding, human rights concerns, and penal reform. |
| 5 | Apply criminological and penological frameworks to real or hypothetical case studies in order to propose informed and evidence-based solutions. |
|
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution) |
| No | Program Competencies | Cont. |
| Integrated second cycle study program in Law Program | ||
| 1 | Fitimi dhe përdorimi i njohurive të avancuara në fushën e drejtësisë dhe jurisprudencës, mbështetur në tekstet mësimore, materialet dhe burimet e tjera shkencore. | 3 |
| 2 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth çështjeve dhe problematikave të fushës së drejtësisë, së bashku me analizën e aspekteve historike, shoqërore e politike. | 5 |
| 3 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth organizimit të shtetit. | 3 |
| 4 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth kapaciteteve të analizës lidhur me konceptet dhe ndarjet kryesore të degëve të së drejtës. | 2 |
| 5 | Përmirësimi i aftësive për të punuar së bashku me disiplinat kryesore të shkencave sociale dhe disiplinat e tjera të cilat janë të lidhura me drejtësinë. | 5 |
| 6 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth drejtësisë duke përthithur terminologjinë profesionale të fushës. | 5 |
| 7 | Përcaktimi i ngjarjeve dhe temave komplekse, nëpërmjet zhvillimit të diskutimeve dhe bërjes së sugjerimeve të reja në përputhje me hulumtimet e fushës. | 5 |
| 8 | Fitimi i aftësive në përdorimin e programeve kompjuterike dhe të teknologjisë së informacionit me qëllim arritjen e qasjes në dijen aktuale. | 2 |
| 9 | Përmirësimi i të menduarit kritik dhe aftësive në kryerjen e hulumtimit në mënyrë të pavarur. | 2 |
| 10 | Fitimi i njohurive për të folur në një gjuhë të huaj në një nivel të mjaftueshëm për të komunikuar me kolegët dhe për të kuptuar zhvillimet bashkëkohore në fushën e drejtësisë dhe të jurisprudencës. | 5 |
| 11 | Fitimi i aftësive për të respektuar vlerat shoqërore, shkencore dhe etike gjatë mbledhjes dhe interpretimit të të dhënave që kanë të bëjnë me zhvillimet shoqërore dhe atyre në drejtësi. | 4 |
| 12 | Ndërgjegjësimi në lidhje me rëndësinë e të drejtave të njeriut dhe mjedisit. | 1 |
|
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
|
| Method | Quantity | Percentage |
| Midterm Exam(s) |
1
|
35
|
| Final Exam |
1
|
35
|
| Attendance |
10
|
|
| Other |
1
|
20
|
| Total Percent: | 100% |
|
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
|
| Activities | Quantity | Duration(Hours) | Total Workload(Hours) |
| Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 13 | 3 | 39 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Assignments | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Final examination | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Other | 0 | ||
|
Total Work Load:
|
125 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
5 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
5 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
Overall, the course was conducted successfully and the learning outcomes were generally achieved. The research assignment proved to be an effective component of the course; however, closer weekly monitoring and follow-up would help ensure consistent student engagement and progress throughout the semester. Students demonstrated greater difficulties with the criminology-related concepts and theoretical analysis compared to other course components, indicating a need for additional support in this area. For future iterations of the course, it would be beneficial to incorporate more reading materials, practical examples, and case studies to strengthen students’ understanding and critical thinking skills. The guest lecture on juvenile crime was particularly valuable and well received by students, providing important practical insights and enriching the overall learning experience. Similar guest speaker sessions should be considered in the future to further connect theoretical concepts with real-world practice. For future delivery of the course, greater emphasis could also be placed on interactive classroom activities, group work, and collaborative discussions. Increasing opportunities for students to work together on case studies and problem-solving exercises would further strengthen their analytical, communication, and teamwork skills while promoting more active engagement with criminology penology topics. |