Aims

° Expose the major theories and fundemental concepts in sociology of punishment
° Analyse the inferences that can be drawn form historical or empirical observations of concrete systems of legal punishment
° Develop analytical skills, e.g. elementary demographical skills, required for critical evaluation of legal punishment, prison and imprisonment.

Main themes

The course surveys major theoretical approaches to
(1) the social meanings, functions and effects of legal punishment
(2) the social meanings, functions and effects of prison and imprisonment.

Content and teaching methods

Content
The theorists receiving most attention are
(1) Emile Durkheim, Goerg Rusche and Otto Kirchheimer, Michel Foucault
(2) Donald Clemmer, Gresham Sykes, Erving Goffman, Phil Zimbardo.

Contemporary studies reworking these therorist's legacy will be presented and discussed.

Method :
Lecture course. Attendance at all class sessions is required.
Reading assignments
Study questions.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation : In-class written exam.

Other credits in programs