SV-436 Crime control and punishment in the Nordic countries’

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's Programme in Sociology

Teaching language

English

Course contents

The course will explore strategies of crime control and punishment in the Nordic countries, with a particular emphasis on:

• key trends in crime and crime control measures over time,
• comparative perspectives on punishment
• key explanations for the supposedly ‘exceptional’ punishment policies and practices in the Nordic countries,
• the main criticisms of current penal practices

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students are expected to

• be familiar with comparative research on crime trends and approaches to crime control and punishment
• be familiar with the literature on ‘Nordic exceptionalism’ and the discussions it has provoked
• be able to critically discuss descriptions of, and explanations for, key trends in crime control and punishment practices in the Nordic countries

Teaching methods

Lectures. Expected workload is about 135 hours.

Evaluation

As a 5-credit course, we will only have a final evaluation using a standard questionnaire.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to availability / capacity, admission requirements as for master's programs in sociology and social work

Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module

\Admission requirements as for master's programs in sociology.

Assessment methods and criteria

4 hours individual school exam. Graded on a scale, A-F.