Crime is a very dynamic and context-dependant concept. There is more to our understanding of crime than just that it should be seen as a violation of formally implemented laws. Crime is socially constructed which means that the criminalisation and decriminalisation of a certain act/behaviour is determined by social processes, and these vary among countries. Crimes routinely dealt with in the criminal justice system are only the tip of the iceberg to all the harms and wrongdoings committed in societies and its nature is changing rapidly, also due to technological advances.  

The purpose of the minor is to help students acquire a more sophisticated understanding of major contemporary debates in comparative criminology with reference to sexual violence, transnational organised crime, drug and human trafficking, corporate crime, safety crimes, environmental crime, plural policing, restorative and criminal justice and learn how to apply relevant criminological issues to policy questions. Each week of the minor completes with one of the following practical exercises:  crime script analysis, social network analysis, situational crime prevention, multi-agency policing exercise, mock trial and restorative justice conference. The highlights of the minor are the presentation of students' creative assignments and visits to Rotterdam Detention Centre, Port of Rotterdam and Dutch Probation & Prosecution Office, Palace of Justice in The Hague.

 

What will you do? 

Week 1 – Introduction to the minor, crime, safety and security in a digital society (Exercise: crime script analysis)

Week 2 – Sexual violence, rape, intimate partner violence, online grooming (Exercise: assessing sex offender’s risk of reoffending)

Week 3 – Transnational organised crime, Netherlands as a Narco-state (Exercise: social network analysis)

Week 4 – Drug trafficking, human trafficking, crimmigration (film screening + discussion)

Week 5 – Crimes of the powerful, safety crimes, environmental crimes, ecocide (Exercise: analysis of the “Filthy Rich” documentary + situational crime prevention)

Week 6 – State police, private policing, climate-resilient policing (Exercise: multi-agency policing simulation)

Week 7 – Courts, sentencing, probation, restorative and criminal justice (Exercise: restorative justice conference and mock trial simulation)

Week 8 – Presentation of Creative Assignments

One of the important features of the minor is to give students freedom in deciding about the topic for their policy briefs and creative assignments. The latter envisages that students visualize their policy brief and choose a presentation method other than PowerPoint slides (e.g. video/animation production, board game, academic poster, painting, sculpture, small photographic exhibition, photo essay, song lyrics, dance, podcast) to reflect on the same topic as discussed in their policy brief in an engaging and creative manner for no longer than 10 minutes. The most innovative creative assignments are showcased during THUAS (The Hague University) Open Days and used as teaching aids.

1. Students can explain the relationship between crime, safety & security.

2. Students can compare, analyse and discuss the criminological issues raised in the course and situate them in various international contexts.

3. Students can explain and apply crime prevention techniques [practiced in the course].

4. Students can discuss and apply criminological topics as policy issues.

5. Students can express criminological issues through creative outlets and media.

Proficiency in written and spoken English and a propaedeutic degree.

A motivation letter is required, please answer the following questions in your letter:

1. What is your motivation for undertaking this minor?
2. What is an area of specific interest for you within this minor?
3. Which additional reading or research, work or other personal interests, have informed your decision to apply for this particular minor?
4. How will this particular minor assist you to achieve a personal, academic and professional aspiration?
5. What has been so far your average performance grade?
6. Have you already obtained your propaedeutic degree?
7. What type of qualifications have you obtained that confirm your proficiency in written and spoken English?

Various peer-reviewed sources. 

Teaching methods:  

 

Study load – 96 hours 

1. lectures & guest contributions (60h) 

1. workshop/exercises/simulations (once a week) (9h) 

1. reading circles (once a week) (9h) 

 

 

Week 1 – Topics: Introduction to the minor, An uneasy relationship between crime, safety and security, crime script analysis (exercise). 

Week 2 – Topics: Sexual violence, domestic violence, online grooming, multi-agency response to domestic violence (simulation). 

Week 3 – Topics: Transnational organized crime, Netherlands as a narco-state, drug and human trafficking, crimmigration, social network analysis (exercise).  

Week 4 – Topics: Crimes of the powerful, the corporate criminal, situational crime prevention (film analysis + exercise).  

Week 5 – Topics: Environmental crimes, wildlife and waste crimes, the implications of climate change and green criminology.  

Week 6 – Topics: Policing, state police, the role of private sector in policing, policing humanitarian emergencies (case studies: Hurricane Katrina, Ebola outbreak, Fukushima disaster). 

Week 7 – Topics: Seeking justice, sentencing, criminal and restorative justice, the role of probation in criminal justice, mock trial and restorative justice conference (simulation).  

• Written exam (50%), minimum pass rate 5.5
• Policy brief (25%), minimum pass rate 5.5
• Creative assignment (25%), minimum pass rate 5.5

Competency 1 – Collaboration 

Competency 3 - Communication 

Competency 4 – Analytical and Investigative Capabilities 

Competency 7 - Innovativeness