87500 - VICTIMOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION PROCESSES

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide an advanced and critical understanding of the role of victims of crime as well as the evolution of the concept in contemporary societies, with regards to the main theoretical approaches in the discipline. At the end of the course students will be able to analytically interpret this peculiar condition in the frame of multiple interactions among national and supra national Institution, the judiciary and legal system and socio-political networks, paying special attention to the role played by media (and new media) in the social representation of victims’ rights and needs in the global era.

Course contents

The aim of the course is to provide an advanced and critical overview and understanding of the role of victims of crime and abuse of power, social exclusion and repression in contemporary society with regards to the main theoretical approaches in the discipline as a reflection of the changing of structure dynamics and relations at all level in the "global era".

Readings/Bibliography

1) P. Davis, P. Francis and C. Greer, Victims, Crime and Society, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 2012.

2) R. Letschert, J. Van Dijk, The New Faces of Victimhood. Globalization, Transnational Crimes and Victim Rights, Springer, Dordrecht, 2012 - In particular, see: Part I: Chapters 1, 2, 3; Part II: Chapters 4,5; Part IV: Chapter 12; Part V: Chapter 13.

3) J. Van Dijk, "Free the Victim: A Critique of the Western Conception of Victimhood", International Review of Victimology May 2009, vol. 16, no.1, on the website:  https:// pure.uvt.nl/ws/files/1122557/Dijk_Free_the_victim_091002.pdf

4) N. Christie, "Victim movements at a crossroad", . Punishment & Society April 2010, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 115-122, on the website: http://pun.sagepub.com/content/12/2/115

5) Report of the Special Adviser J. Milquet - European Commission, Strengthening Victims' Rights; from Compensation to Reparation. For a new EU Victims' rights strategy 2020-2025, March 2019, on the website: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/strengthening_victims_rights_-_from_compensation_to_reparation_rev.pdf

 

Teaching methods

Lessons and lectures in the classroom, with the active and direct partecipation of students (for example presentation and discussion of papers on specific topics). With regards to this last opportunity, further information would be given to students at the beginning of the course.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. For students attending the course, there will be also en evaluation of the papers presented and discussed in the classroom.

Teaching tools

Power point slides, articles given by the teacher during the lessons, vision in the classroom of films.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/susanna.vezzadini/

Office hours

See the website of Susanna Vezzadini