EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
COURSE SYLLABUS
2024-2025 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. Eglantina Farruku efarruku@epoka.edu.al |
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Dr. Eglantina Farruku efarruku@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: | Në fund të këtij kursi studentet duhet të jenë në gjendje të: 1- artikulojnë metodat kyçe dhe të dhënat e burimeve të përdorura për të studiuar krimin; 2- të kuptojnë tendencat dhe zhvillimin e krimit në raport me moshën, racat, klasa sociale; 3- të artikulojë konceptet bazë të aplikuara nga teoritë e ndryshme të kriminalitetit për të kuptuar krimin në shoqë |
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
1 | Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. It examines the causes and effects of crime, the behavior of offenders, and how society responds to criminal activities. Criminologists study patterns of crime, law enforcement, criminal laws, and the processes of prosecution and punishment. Crime refers to actions that break the laws established by a society. These actions are subject to legal sanctions and are generally seen as harmful or dangerous to the public or individuals. Deviance is behavior or actions that violate social norms, values, or expectations. While crime is a form of deviance (because it breaks legal norms), not all deviance is criminal. |
2 | Criminological studies refer to the academic field focused on understanding crime, its causes, and its consequences, as well as the societal responses to criminal behavior. Criminology aims to explore not only criminal behavior and the criminal justice system but also the broader social, economic, and cultural factors that influence crime. |
3 | The general characteristics of crime and criminals refer to the common features, behaviors, and patterns that can be observed in criminal activity and the individuals who commit crimes. These characteristics help criminologists and law enforcement professionals understand the nature of crime and develop strategies for prevention, detection, and punishment. |
4 | Macro criminology refers to the study of crime and criminal behavior from a societal or large-scale perspective. It focuses on understanding crime within the context of society as a whole, examining factors like social structure, cultural norms, and institutional influences. Criminal etiology refers to the study of the causes of crime or the origin of criminal behavior. It seeks to understand why crime happens in the first place and what factors contribute to an individual's decision to engage in criminal acts |
5 | Concrete crime refers to actual criminal acts, which are often tangible and measurable. Criminal behavior can be understood through different lenses, including biological, psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. |
6 | Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal or antisocial behavior by minors (typically individuals under the age of 18), while female criminality refers to the involvement of women in criminal behavior. These two concepts intersect in various ways, but it's important to understand that patterns of criminal behavior among females can differ from those observed in males, including in the context of juvenile delinquency. |
7 | Organized crime refers to criminal activities that are planned and carried out by criminal groups or organizations. These groups often engage in illicit enterprises for profit and can span multiple levels, from local to international operations.White-collar crime refers to non-violent, financially motivated crimes typically committed by individuals in positions of trust and authority. These crimes are usually carried out by people in business, government, or professional settings. White-collar crimes can cause significant financial harm but often don’t involve physical violence.Recidivism refers to the tendency of former offenders to relapse into criminal behavior after they have been punished or have served time for previous crimes. It’s a significant concern for the criminal justice system, as it can undermine rehabilitation efforts and lead to higher rates of incarceration. |
8 | Property crime refers to crimes that involve the theft or destruction of someone else's property. These crimes typically do not involve physical harm to the victim but can still result in significant financial or emotional losses. Economic crime refers to illegal activities that are committed for financial gain, often involving the manipulation of economic systems, laws, and regulations. This type of crime is often committed by individuals or organizations with a significant understanding of financial systems and structures.Corruption is the abuse of power or position for personal gain, typically in the context of government or business. It can involve a wide range of activities, from bribery to embezzlement, and it undermines trust in institutions. |
9 | Penology is the study of the processes, practices, and systems related to the punishment, rehabilitation, and management of individuals convicted of crimes. It focuses on understanding how societies respond to criminal behavior through various penal systems, including incarceration, parole, probation, and community-based punishments. |
10 | Imprisonment is a traditional method of punishing individuals who have committed crimes, but many scholars, policymakers, and criminologists have proposed alternatives to imprisonment, believing that certain crimes might not warrant incarceration or that other forms of punishment could be more effective in reducing recidivism. |
COURSE OUTLINE
|
Week | Topics |
1 | Introduction to Criminology, crime and deviance, victimology |
2 | Criminological studies |
3 | General Characteristics of Crime and Criminals - Theories of criminology - What is victimology |
4 | Macro criminology - criminal etiology |
5 | Concrete crime, mechanisms of criminal behaviour - Crime prevention |
6 | Juvenile delinquency and female criminality |
7 | Organized Crime - White-Collar Crime - Recidivism |
8 | Midterm |
9 | Property crime - Economic crime - Corruption |
10 | Public order crime - Violent crime - Cybercrime and the Future of Crime |
11 | Understanding Penology - Penitentiary Legislation - Crime Response and Albanian Penitentiary Systems.The legal status of prisoners - Law Enforcement Agencies |
12 | Imprisonment - Alternatives to imprisonment - Legal status of persons in official custody |
13 | The Regime and conditions of imprisonment - Means and Methods of resocialization of convicted persons - Effectiveness of Educational Work |
14 | Release from imprisonment - Penitentiary systems around the world |
Prerequisite(s): | |
Textbook(s): | Pamela J. Schram and Stephen G. Tibbetts (2017) Introduction to Criminology: Why do they do it? 2nd Edition. Sage Edge Publishi |
Additional Literature: | Luan Gjonçaj dhe Mcs Genci Gjonçaj (2013) Kriminologjia, Adelprint,Tiranë. 2- Luan Gjonçaj dhe Mcs Genci Gjonçaj (2009) Penologjia, Adelprint, Tiranë. |
Laboratory Work: | |
Computer Usage: | |
Others: | No |
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
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1 | Students will develop a fundamental commitment to ethical analysis, research, and practice and will demonstrate the ability to apply these principles to work within criminology, criminal justice, and related fields. |
2 | Students will apply research findings to hypothetical or real case study situations in the practice of criminology and criminal justice |
3 | Assess competing theoretical approaches to criminology and social justice issues of publics with differing and multiple interests; specify structural or institutional sources of these criminology and social justice issues; and, propose and assess policies, interventions and/or modes of advocacy that will enact positive change. |
4 | Identify key features of critical criminological perspectives |
5 | Articulate the ethical and social justice implications of criminology and justice studies. |
6 | Provide examples of the way criminologists think about crime ‘differently’. |
7 | Articulate the applicability of and demonstrate ability to employ a range of research strategies. |
8 | Locate, analyze, assess, and communicate criminology and social justice scholarship. |
9 | Analyze and interpret the diversity of social experience associated with criminology and social justice issues, especially as they relate to race, class, gender, age sexual preference, religion and nationality. |
10 | Students will gain detailed knowledge of penitentiary systems. |
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
|
30
|
Term Paper |
1
|
30
|
Final Exam |
1
|
40
|
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
|
. |