Restorative Justice and Victimology

Code:

MCO107

Acronym:

JRV

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Criminology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 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
MC	12	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2017	1	-	3	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide an overview of the major theoretical and empirical developments in the field of restorative justice practices and processes. This approach will prioritize the integration between restorative justice and victimological perspectives.

Specific objectives include:

Presenting a comprehensive and critical approach to the needs of victims and their position within the criminal justice system.

Presenting a comprehensive and critical understanding of restorative justice, based on knowledge of key concepts and principles.

Promoting research and analyse of the application of restorative justice in the context of violent crimes (sexual crimes, domestic violence, homicide).

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that students will be able to:

Identify the needs of crime victims and the consequences that result from the victimization process.

Recognize the central principles and theoretical perspectives that frame the field of restorative justice, clearly distinguishing it from retributive justice.

Familiarize themselves with different models of restorative justice, their key characteristics, and application contexts.

Present a critical approach regarding the application of restorative justice in the context of violent crimes.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Victimology and Restorative Justice: Key Concepts and Victimological Perspectives on: criminal victimization and its effects; the needs of victims and their position in the criminal justice system.


2. Restorative Justice: Conditions of Emergence, Conceptual Framework, and Current Developments.


3. Models and Practices/Programs of Restorative Justice with a Focus on Violent Crimes.

Mandatory literature

Aertsen Ivo 340; Institutionalizing restorative justice. ISBN: 1-84392-159-6
Dignan James; Understanding victims and restorative justice. ISBN: 0-335-20979-3
Johnstone Gerry 340; Handbook of restorative justice. ISBN: 1-84392-151-0
Walklate Sandra 340; Handbook of victims and victimology. ISBN: 978-1-84392-257-5
Umbreit Mark S.; The^handbook of victim offender mediation. ISBN: 0-7879-5491-8
Walgrave Lode 340; Restorative justice and the law. ISBN: 1-903240-96-4
Walgrave Lode; Restorative justice, self-interest and responsible citizenship. ISBN: 978-1-84392-334-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

The classes combine the presentation of the syllabus with the analysis and discussion of relevant international literature, including scientific literature, legal texts and technical reports. The discussion of theoretical and methodological relevant issues in the development of scientific research in the field will be especially relevant.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Trabalho escrito	100,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance presupposes passing the distributed assessment.

The final mark will be calculated on the basis of a written assignment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Distributed Evaluation -100%

Observations

Bibliography:

Aertsen, I., Daems, T. & Robert, L. (Eds.) (2006). Institutionalizing restorative justice. Devon : Willan Publishing
Braithwaite, J. (2002). Setting Standards for Restorative Justice, The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 42, Issue 3, , Pages 563–577, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/42.3.563
Devon : Willan Publishing
Christie, N. (1977) . Conflicts as Property, The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 17, Issue 1, January 1977, Pages 1–15, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bjc.a046783
Dignan, J. (2005). Understanding victims and restorative justice. Bershire : Open University Press
Johnstone, G. & Van Ness D. (Eds) (2007), Handbook of Restorative Justice. Devon: Willan Publishing
Shapland, J., Atkinson, A. Atkinson, H., Colledge, E., Dignan, J., Howes, M., Johnstone, J., Robinson, G., & Sorsby, A. (2006). Situating restorative justice within criminal justice. Theoretical Criminology,10(4),505–532.
Walklate, S. (Ed.) (2008).  Handbook of victims and victimology. Devon: Willan Publishing
Vanfraechem, I., Bolivar, D. & Aertsen, I., (eds.), Victims and Restorative Justice. London: Routledge, 2015.
Van, N. D. W., & Strong, K. H. (2015). Restoring justice: An introduction to restorative justice. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
Walgrave, L. (2002).Restorative justice and the law. Devon:Willan.
Walgrave, L. (2008).Restorative justice, self-interest and responsible citizenship. Devon:Willan.