Epistemology of Criminology

Code:

C304

Acronym:

EPISTC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Criminology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S (since 16-09-2019 to 20-12-2019)

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	45	Oficial Study Plan LC	3	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- Criminology as field of theory and practice; its relationships with other disciplines of knowledge, namely human and social sciences.

- To place criminological thinking at the heart of the transformations in the systems of thought

- To know major epistemological traditions and being able to develop epistemological analytical grids, applying them when approaching the criminal phenomenon

-  To consider research methods and intervention practices in an epistemological way

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to reflect on what they have learned during the course, positioning themselves on a critical perspective on the production of scientific and criminological knowledge.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

none.

Program

1. Science: its features and relevance in western societies.

2. Producing scientific knowledge: describing, explaining, understanding and interpreting. Integration with criminology's objects of research.

3. Epistemology and its relationship with research methods and intervention practices. Integration with criminological research.

4. Positivism, Rationalism and Constructivism. Positivistic, racionalist and constructivist criminologies.

5. The current “episteme” and Criminology. Epistemological status of Criminology, its genesis, historical evolution and differences towards other scientific disciplines. 

6. Scientific community and its practices. Integration with Criminology's features.

 

Mandatory literature

Agra Cândido da 1948-; Elementos para uma epistemologia da criminologia
Agra, C. da; Droga-Crime, estudos interdisciplinares. A experiência portuguesa: programa de estudos e resultados (Vol. 1), Gabinete de planeamento e de coordenação do combate à droga, Ministério da Justiça, 1997
Agra, C. da; A 'epistémè' das ciências criminais - exercício empírico teórico, In: Studia Iuridica - Boletim da Faculdade de Direito, 98(5), 545-578, 2010
Agra, C. da e Matos, A. P.; Droga-Crime, estudos interdisciplinares. Trajectórias desviantes (Vol. 11), Gabinete de planeamento e de coordenação do combate à droga, Ministério da Justiça, 1997
Bachelard Gaston 1884-1962; A^filosofia do não
Luz José Luís Brandão da 1948-; Introdução à epistemologia. ISBN: 972-27-1184-9
Foucault Michel 1926-1984; A^arqueologia do saber. ISBN: 972-40-1694-3
Garland, D. e Sparks, R.; Criminology, social theory and the challenge of our tomes, In: British Journal of Criminology, 40(2), 189-204
Kuhn Thomas S.; A^estrutura das revoluções científicas. ISBN: 85-273-0111-3
Pires, A. P.; La criminologie et ses objets paradoxaux: réflexions épistémologiques sur un nouveau paradigme, In: Déviance et Société, 17(2), 129-161, 1993
Popper Karl 1902-1994; A^lógica da pesquisa científica. ISBN: 978-85-316-0236-8
Warr, Jason; An^introduction to criminological theory and the problem of causation. ISBN: 9783319837376
Walsh Anthony 1941-; Criminological theory. ISBN: 978-1-4557-7764-8

Comments from the literature

Other references will be provided throghout the year.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes are divided between theoretical classes and seminar classes. Theoretical  classes  are used to describe and discuss the main contents of the program, including authors, readings and perspectives.

Seminars are oriented toward the analysis and discussion of scientific and epistemological literature and other resources previously prepared by the students.

keywords

Humanities > Philosophy > Epistemology
Social sciences > Criminology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Exame	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Trabalho de investigação	15,00
Total:	85,00

Eligibility for exams

See general rules

Calculation formula of final grade

See general rules

Examinations or Special Assignments

See general rules

Internship work/project

none

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

See general rules

Classification improvement

See general rules