Course Description
Criminology focuses on understanding the criminal behavior, deeds, causes and impacts of a crime on the victim and society. The thirteen weeks course is an introduction to the study of the crime from the sociological perspective. The course will be an examination of sources of crime, society’s reaction to crime, and the functioning of criminal justice system. The course focuses on the analysis of the basic sources of crime and how well the objectives of the system are being achieved through current processes and policies in the criminal justice system. This course provides an introduction to the field of criminology, various theoretical explanations for criminal behavior, and the mechanisms for the control of criminal behavior. The course also provides an overview on the police system, the process of criminal investigations and the scientific and technical methods used to analyze evidence. It traces how the concept of punishment has evolved over time from ancient forms of punishment to present day policies. The course also examines the role of victims in crimes, and their treatment by the criminal justice system.
Objectives of the Course
The primary objective of our certificate course is to give learners, a focused and expertise learning experience in the area of criminology and secondly, to help students to analyze and interpret the diversity of social experience associated with criminology and social justice issues arising in the society.
About the Organizer
LJRF Academy (“The Academy”), is an online platform promoted by Law and Justice Research Foundation. In order to fulfil the objectives of LJRF to protect legal education in India, LJRF Academy was initiated on 4th July 2020. The aim is to provide an online learning platform for law students, to assist law students to develop their interest in different subjects of law and at the same time aid them in visualizing a successful career in law. LJRF Academy also provides continuous legal education online for the public along with various technical courses for developing creative skills and expertise to keep abreast with the latest technology trends.
The Academy in association with different renowned organizations including law firms intent to provide ‘certificate courses’ of duration not more than 6 (six) months. There are times when a law student might want to become an expert in a distinct area of practice, and there are other times when they might want to learn how to critically analyze specific ideas in such area. Thus, the Academy’sCertificate courses on specific subjects will help them to gain specific expertise in a field or industry. The niche skills a law student acquires may set them apart from others if they concentrate on specific concepts of law.
Having said that, a learner under our platform will acquire valuable skills and instruction on important topics through our intensive and comprehensive courses, which take place all under one roof. By helping them master multiple concepts within a subject, courses are meticulously designed to give the learner a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of that subject.
About the Resource Person
Dr.Swetha Thomas, is Assistant Professor in Criminology and Police Science, and teaches at St.Thomas College, Thrissur, Kerala. She is the former Vice President of Indian Criminology and Forensic Science Association. She received her PhD in Development Studies-(Criminology) from School of Gandhian Thought & Development Studies (MG University) and her Master’s degree in Criminology from Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi. She holds a bachelor degree in Psychology and was an Intern at Kerala Police Academy. Dr.Swetha is keenly interested in research related to criminology and psychology and her areas of research include: police training and attitude, crime and gender, criminal psychology and psychology of juveniles.
Adv.Fathima Sherifa, is presently working as Assistant Planning Coordinator, at Legal Affairs Group, Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait. She is a first rank holder in LL.B degree and has years of expertise in legal firms.
Period of the course
The course would be for a minimum period of 6 months as decided by the Academy and the Firm together.
Benefits of the course
• Provides enhanced and focused learning inputs.
• Introduction of various field of laws and suggesting pathways to be successful in such area of practice.
• Exploring niche or less-known legal concepts and realm.
• Aims to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical perspective.
Who can Apply?
• Law Students
• Lawyers
• Police Officials
• Prison Officials
• Probation Officer
• Judicial Officer
• Prosecutor
Selection Process
Online test and interview
Certificate of Completion
Course certificate will be granted to each student who:
• Attends at least 75 percent online classes, including live classes
• Submits assignments, test paper and attend final exam.
Details for Registration
Applications will be invited through a Google form. Registrations will be accepted only on the basis of submitting of the Google form, on a first come first serve basis.
Course Structure in detail
WEEK 1
• The concept and definition of crime
• The concept of Sin, tort and crime
• The relationship between Criminal Law and Criminology
WEEK 2
• Historical perspectives through various schools of criminology
• Pre classical, classical and neo classical
• Positivism
• Radicalism
WEEK 3
• Understanding the causal factors of crime through learning theories
• Bandura
• Conditioning (Pavlov and Skinner)
WEEK 4
• Understanding the causal factors of crime through Sociological theories
• Social structure (Durkheim, Merton)
• social process (differential association, labelling)
• social control (rational choice)
WEEK 5
• Psychodynamic theories
• Forms of crime- against person, against property
• Contemporary crimes- organised crime, cybercrime, environment crime, white collar crime
WEEK 6
• Elements of Criminal Justice System
• Police duties and functions
• Methods of police investigation
WEEK 7
• Prison-meaning, types of prison
• Prison rules, prison reforms
• Court- structure and functions
WEEK 8
• Basic principles Forensic Science
• Crime scene search methods
WEEK 9
• Evidences- types
• Collection and preservation of evidence
WEEK 10
• Questioned documents
• Tool marks, explosives
• Firearms and explosives
WEEK 11
• Various strategies of crime prevention
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPED)
• Routine Activity Theory (RAT)
• Community policing
WEEK 12
• Concept of Penology
• Punishment, types of punishment, theories of punishment
• Parole and probation
WEEK 13
• Victims- meaning, types of victims, rights of victims
• Victimology
• Victim assistance program
For queries
Convenor: Adv. Neelima V Nair; 9495866254
