ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CRIMINOLOGY, PENOLOGY AND VICTIMOLOGY
(Criminology, Penology & Victimology — Syllabus)UNIT I — Introduction to Criminology
- Meaning, nature, scope & objectives of Criminology
- Relationship of criminology with criminal law and social sciences
- Crime: definition, nature, types of crime (organised, professional, property, violent, cyber crime, etc.)
- Schools of criminological thought:
- Pre-Classical & Classical
- Neo-Classical
- Positive & Sociological
- Other perspectives (e.g., ecological, structural)
UNIT II — Crime Causation & Theories
- Theories of crime causation:
- Classical (Beccaria, Bentham)
- Positivist (biological, psychological, sociological etc.)
- Differential Association & Social Disorganization
- Modern perspectives on why crime occurs
UNIT III — Penology (Study of Punishment & Corrections)
- Meaning & scope of penology
- Punishment: concept, purpose, necessity
- Theories of punishment:
- Retribution
- Deterrence
- Prevention
- Reformative/Rehabilitative
- Capital punishment: issues, constitutionality, judicial trends
- Sentencing principles & alternatives to imprisonment (probation, parole, fines, community service)
- Prison administration: prison system, reforms, classification of prisoners
- Probation and parole laws/provisions (e.g., Probation of Offenders Act)
UNIT IV — Victimology
- Definition & scope of victimology
- Victim, victimization, theories of victimization
- Types of victims (e.g., vulnerable groups like women, children, elderly)
- The role of police & justice agencies in victim support
- Compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation of victims
- Restorative justice and victim care & protection
- Victim compensation under criminal procedure (judicial trends in India)
Extended Topics
- Crime prevention strategies
- Juvenile justice & adolescent offenders
- White-collar & corporate crime
- Cybercrime and contemporary crime issues
- Research methods in criminology
- Criminal psychology & profiling