Experimental Criminology

Code:

C102

Acronym:

CEXP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Criminology

Instance: 2006/2007 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
C	41	Oficial Study Plan LC	1	-	6	-

Objectives

- To acquire the fundamental knowledge about Crime and Justice produced in the last 20 years by a new research area in Criminology, designated from 1999, as “Experimental Criminology”.

Program

1. Introduction
1.1. Questions and historical evolution of biological criminology: from the anthropological school to the present.
1.2. Emerging topics and development of Experimental Criminology.
1.3. Experimental method
1.3.1. The logic and the process of experimental research.
1.3.2. Scientific and technological advances: applications of the laboratory research techniques.
2. Experimental Criminology
2.1. Experimental methods on experimental criminology and criminal justice.
2.2. Randomized experiments in crime and justice (retrospective analysis);
2.3. Quasi-Experimental research;
2.4. Criteria for the organization of the scientific knowledge produced in Experimental Criminology.
3. Study domains and its application on crime and justice
3.1. Functional and Behavioral Studies (e.g. sexual criminology, deviant behavior of drivers).
3.2. Developmental Studies (evolution steps of behavior in delinquent youth and adults);
3.3. Epigenetic approach;
3.4. Structural Studies
3.4.1. Genetic studies (genetic predisposition, hereditability coefficient, gene/environment interactions);
3.4.2. Endocrinological studies;
3.4.3. Neurological and neuropsychological studies;
3.4.4. Animal models (ethological studies, biological explanations of behavior).
4. Experimental evaluative research.
5. Ethical questions in Experimental Criminology.

Main Bibliography

-Andreassi, J.L. (2000). Psychophysiology: Human Behavior and physiological response. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, 4ª ed.
-Baunach, P.J. (1980). Random assignment in criminal justice research, some ethical and legal issues. Criminology 17: 435-444.
-Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W. & Paradiso, M.A. (1998). Neurociencia: Explorando el cerebro. Barcelona: Masson, Williams & Wilkins.
-Berman, M.E. & Coccaro, E.F. (1998). Neurobiologic correlates of violence: relevance to criminal responsibility. Behavioral Sciences and the Law 16: 303-318.
-Bernard, C. (1978). Introdução à medicina experimental. Lisboa: Guimarães & Companhia Editores.
-Campbell, D.T. & Stanley, J.C. (1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Boston, London, NJ, Geneva: Houghton Mifflin Company.
-Editor's Introduction (2005), Journal of Experimental Criminology 1: 1-8
-Farrington, D.P. (1985) Randomized experiments on crime and justice. In Tonry, M. & Morris, N (Eds). Crime and Justice: an annual review of research. Volume 4, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
-Farrington, D.P. & Welsh, B.C. (2005). Randomized experiments in criminology: What have we learned in the last two decades? Journal of Experimental Criminology 1: 9-38.
-Feder, L. & Boruch, R. (2000). The need for experiments in criminal justice settings. Crime & Delinquency 46: 291-294
-Petrosino, A. & Weisburd, D.L (2005): Experimental research and randomized Experiments. In Wright R.A. & Miller J.M. (eds). Encyclopedia of Criminology. Volume I. New York, London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
-Raine, A. (2002). Biosocial studies of antisocial and violent behavior in children and adults: a review. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 30: 311-326.
-Rothstein, M.A. (2005). Applications of behavioural genetics: outpacing the science?. Nature reviews 6: 793-798.
-Rowe, D.C. (2002). Biology and Crime. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company.
-Shepherd, J.P. (2003) Explaining feast or famine in randomized field trails. Medical Science and Criminology compared. Evaluation Review 27: 290-315
-Weisburd, D. (2003). Ethical practice and evaluation of interventions in crime and justice. The moral imperative for randomized trials. Evaluation Review 27: 336-354

Teaching methods and learning activities

The equal distribution of the time between theoretical and practical (laboratory) classes is justified by the empirical focus of the discipline “Experimental Criminology”.
In the theoretical classes it will be developed, explored and discussed with the students the principal programmatic topics summarized in the previous section. In the laboratorial and practical classes the students will be familiarized with theoretical fundamentals and applications of laboratory techniques in psychophysiology, in neurology and in other areas of experimental biology applied to study human behavior. In addition, the students will be familiarized with instruments used in Experimental Criminology. Finally, it will be analyzed and discussed experimental research work (research papers) focusing in Experimental Criminology, previously prepared by the students.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Defined by the rules os the post graduate programm

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous assessment, written exams

Examinations or Special Assignments

Defined by the rules os the post graduate programm

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to law and rules enforced

Classification improvement

Written or oral exam