Police Studies

Description

Learning Objectives • Knowledge : This course aims to provide the students with in-depth knowledge and understanding in some important criminological approaches to the study of police. • Competences : Students should be able to independently delve into in scientific research concerning police and apply these insights to topical issues. More specifically, students should be able to independently consult a reader and additional literature and to reflect on propositions concerning the role, the actions and policies of police. It is therefore important that students can apply frames of mind and reference of various social science disciplines (e.g. criminology, anthropology, sociology, public administration). • Attitude : Students are expected to develop a constructive, critical attitude towards the (scientific) literature on police, as well as with regard to national and international topical events in the field of police. This course contributes to the following outcomes: • The student has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of criminological theories and phenomena and is capable of placing this knowledge and understanding in a broader legal and social science perspective on local, national, European and international level. • The student has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of one of the following sub-domains of criminological research, namely crime and (in) security, personal and community-based criminology or law enforcement. • The student is able to apply the knowledge of the frames of mind and reference of various social science disciplines in criminological research and criminology. • The student is able to analyse criminological and other social science texts, and contextualise, synthesise and evaluate their relevance and scientific value. • The student is able to evaluate developments in criminal policy in light of the required balance between both the control, organisation and management focused perspective and the perspective of fundamental rights and freedoms of people. • Students is able to appreciate research of related social science disciplines, integrate them into their own research and take a position within different scientific visions and argue this point.