Criminology LAW4519 L, Sayapin Sergey

1. Course Description

The course covers the roots and causes of crime, trends in criminal behaviour, the anthropological, psychological and sociological roots and causes of various categories of crimes, the basics of victimology, and other related topics. The course is usefully related to the General and Special Parts of Criminal Law, and Criminalistics, in that it provides a background to relevant material and procedural provisions, and helps to study criminal law in a broader cultural context.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

2.1 Knowledge outcomes

• acquire knowledge of the concepts and institutions of Criminology for further specialisation and study in preparation for their future careers, whether in the legal profession, or in academic or other areas of employment.
• develop their understanding of the relevance of certain concepts in the theory, doctrine, method and goals of Criminology.
• develop their understanding of a number of conceptual devices.
• familiarise themselves with the literature and legal sources associated with Criminology.

2.2 Skills outcomes

• learn to organise their own learning programme and manage their time effectively.
• learn to assimilate large amounts of material and extract from it relevant information to successfully prepare for and complete each seminar and written assignment.
• learn to listen and participate effectively in class.
• learn to express ideas cogently orally and in writing.
• develop problem-solving skills and the ability to generate practical ideas for the solution of legal problems.

3. Relationship of Course and Program

This course is an elective in the Bachelor in Law and Bachelor in International Law Programmes.

4. Teaching and Learning Methodology

§  Personal Objectives: The lectures will lay down the structure and foundations of criminology, in order to facilitate the personal study of the requested readings. Students are encouraged to actively participate to the lectures as these are aimed also at solving the doubts or uncertainties that the topic at stake may arise.

• Teaching and Learning Approaches: Students are expected to regularly attend classes, to give full attention to the instructor, and to keep up with readings throughout the semester so that they may participate in meaningful discussions and make optimal use of their class time.
• Course Teaching and Learning Methodology: See Course learning activities for details.

5. Course Learning Activities

Learning Activities	Estimation	Learning Hours
Lectures	45 sessions (2 classes per week, duration 75 minutes per class)	45
Reading time	400 pages, 400x10 = 4000 minutes/60 = 33 hours	67
First mid-term Examination	Take-home exam: 5 hours	5
Second mid-term Examination	Take-home exam: 3 hours	3
Final Examination	Take-home exam: 5 hours	5
Total		125

 

6. Assessment Scheme

The grade will be given based on the following criteria:

First mid-term assessment (take-home exam: 5 hours)                 30%

Second mid-term assessment (take-home exam: 3 hours)             30%

Final assessment (take-home exam: 5 hours)                               40%

Total:                                                                                       100%

 

The assessments will be conducted in the form of take-home essays.

The students who do not earn at least 30 points before the final exam are not admitted to the final exam and are asked to withdraw from the course within two weeks. The students who do not withdraw receive automatically an F grade.

7. Grading Scale

 

90-100              Pass                  A+ 85-89                Pass                  A 80-84                Pass                  A- 77-79                Pass                  B+ 73-76                Pass                  B 70-72                Pass                  B- 67-69                Pass                  C+

63-66                Pass                  C 60-62                Pass                  C- 57-59                Pass                  D+ 53-56                Pass                  D 50-52                Pass                  D- Below 50           Failure                F         Incomplete                                  I

Source: KIMEP Catalog, AY 2020-2021

8. Instructor's Policy

Regular attendance is necessary to succeed in the course. Missing classes may result in penalties, in particular, in lower scores at the examinations and possibly failure. The final exam is comprehensive. Students are urged to take notes.

9. Instructional Resources

Materials will be shared online before each class.