Following this criminological course is an invaluable learning experience, as both teaching staff and students engage in interactive scenario-based roleplay. You are expected to step ‘out of your comfort zone’ by preparing and acting out different roles; on- and off-line, on- and off-campus, with- or without much preparation. What roles you are expected to play is not known in advance. Expect the unexpected, dare to dive into the deep….
Criminology is the study of criminal behavior and social and legal responses to crime. In this course, you won’t just be reading about crime and the criminal justice system, but you’ll be stepping inside it. The course is playful, but very serious topics will be covered. Throughout the course, you’ll take part in different exercises that put you in the shoes of a variety of actors. Without yet giving away too much, think of: police officers, prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, victims, offenders, policy-makers, or even journalists or community members. By adopting these roles, you’ll gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of how the system operates in practice and what interests need to be balanced in responding to certain harms.
Throughout the course you will be expected to read and analyse a diverse range of academic publications and apply the knowledge gained in the scenarios played. The scenarios will be based on real-world dilemmas, giving you the chance to debate, negotiate, and justify your choices, while reflecting on the social and institutional frameworks that shape them. By acting out these roles, you’ll not only sharpen your analytical skills but also be confronted with new, perhaps radically different, perspectives. Whether you’re new to the field or already passionate about it, this interactive approach will help you connect theory to practice, better understand the complexities and consequences of justice in action, promote your creativity and train your presentation and negotiation skills.
For more information and course details, go to 'Curriculum' at the top of the page.