In the first part of the course we will explain basic concepts and theories on the development of antisocial behavior within criminology, biology and psychiatry so that all students have the basic knowledge where they could build upon in the following lectures. The second portion of the course will introduce students to concepts, findings, and theories germane to the biopsychosocial perspective. The final section of the course will consider ethical, practical and policy implications. During this portion of the class, we will discuss ethical questions such as the use of neuroimaging or genetics in court, experience a lie detection task during the practical session and discuss possible treatment options with a former offender. Throughout the classes you will be engaged by cutting-edge research taught by an excellent panel of lecturers and practitioners. Moreover, you may take part in an excursion to a youth detention facility.
Discover the criminal mind
The course will take a (neuro)developmental perspective on antisocial behavior, whilst touching on the fields of criminology, biology, and psychiatry.
Course details
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Practical information
Academic year
2024-2025Semester
2Period
5Day(s)
Tuesdays and ThursdaysTime
18:00 – 20:30Number of meetings
13 + 1 excursion on a Saturday (scheduled on 10 May!)Dates of all meetings
1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 April 2025
6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 20 May 2025Location
Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV AmsterdamRoom
NU-4B47Credits
6Course Coordinator
- Dr. Lucres M.C. Nauta-Jansen (coordinator), full professor of Translational Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dept. of child- and adolescent psychiatry & psychosocial care, at AmsterdamUMC (l.nauta-jansen @amsterdamumc.nl)
Student assistants
- Jeroen Dijkmans, PhD student , Dept. of child- and adolescent psychiatry & psychosocial care, at Amsterdam UMC
- Sterre van Haeringen, PhD student , Dept. of child- and adolescent psychiatry & psychosocial care, at Amsterdam UMC
Lecturers
- Prof. Dr. Lucres Nauta-Jansen, Dept. of child- and adolescent psychiatry & psychosocial care, AmsterdamUMC
- Dr. Thimo van der Pol, forensic psychotherapist (Arkin) and researcher (Amsterdam UMC).
- Dr. Carmen Sergiou, postdoc at Dept. of child- and adolescent psychiatry & psychosocial care Amsterdam UMC
- Dr. Peter de Looff, senior researcher at Fivoor and University of Tilburg.
- Mr. Ellen van Kalveen, senior judge, chair expert group juvenile judges.
- Experienced expert, tbd
NB this is a provisional list, definitive list will be published on Canvas.
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Learning objectives
- Solid background of biosocial concepts and biosocial findings within criminology
- Ability to integrate different perspectives applied to antisocial behaviour
- Ability to see how academic knowledge can be translated into practice (clinical or juridical)
- Ability to write a structured research proposal or poster based on the lectures and literature and to present this paper/poster to a small audience
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Working formats & structure
- On Tuesdays, interactive lectures from experts in the field will be given, including a lecture by former offender/experienced expert.
- On Thursdays we will provide tools for your assignments in the form of specific workshops.
- One Saturday May 10th, excursion to a youth detention facility
- Final proposal presentation session
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Assessments methods
Students are evaluated by means of an individual assignment (30 %), a written group research proposal (50 %) and presentation thereof (20 %).
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Study materials
- Research articles
- Video’s and popular articles
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Recommended background reading
- Sapolsky, R. (2017) Behave.
- Raine. A (2013). The anatomy of violence. The biological roots of crime.
- Walsh, Anthony and Kevin M. Beaver (2009). Biosocial criminology: New directions in theory and research.
(The books are recommended, not required)