Criminal Sociology [ LCRIM2104 ]

This course surveys major theoretical approaches to deviance and social control, and to crime and legal punishment.

- Expose the major theories and fundemental concepts in sociological criminology.
- Develop analytical skills required for critical appraisal of criminological research 
- Introduce to sociological reasoning and practice as applied to deviance and social control, crime and legal punishment (formulation of research hypotheses, analysis of empirical data)

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

In-class written exam. 15-pages take-home essay (seminar-practical exercises)

Contents: The theories surveyed are :
(1) The social disorganization and ecological theories
(2) The subcultural and strain theories
(3) The differential association and social learning theories
(4) The anomie and structural-functionalist theories
(5) The labelling and social-constructionist theories
(6) The power-conflict and marxist theories

Teaching Methods : Lecture course and seminars (practical exercises). Attendance at all lectures ans seminars is required. Reading assignments. Study questions.

Complementary readings: presentation, analysis and discussion of selected texts: E Burgess, CR Shaw, HD Mc Kay, E Sutherland, T Sellin, E Durkheim, R.K. Merton, HS. Becker, E Goffman, H. Garfinkel