Criminology and Safety: Theories, trends, and policies

Course goals

• Identify and reconstruct theories and empirical findings on crime
• Apply knowledge to real-world problems of crime and law enforcement
• Inform policymakers on effective measures to prevent and reduce crime in various environments.

 

Content

Even though crime has been decreasing in the past years, questions remain about what drives crime rates and to what extent policies are responsible for these trends. For example, much research has been carried out on crime in neighbourhoods and local communities. Why do some neighbourhoods or areas show persistently higher levels of crime than others? What can be done about these ‘hot spots’ of crime? If we reduce crime in one area, will it pop up in another? How do we understand different crimes in different environments?
 
In order to address these issues and more, this course will review recent literature on criminological theory with a focus on understanding spatial and temporal patterns of crime and disorder. Throughout the course, we will consider major policy responses to combating crime. How has the criminal justice system responded to criminal behaviour in the past, and in the present? Are the current approaches effective? How can research inform good policy?
 
Students will read theoretical literature on patterns and explanations for different types of crime, and will gain insight into the most important empirical findings. In particular, students will learn about empirical approaches to evaluating policy interventions, and deriving conclusions about what works, what doesn’t, and what is promising for crime reduction and prevention.