School of Law, Sharda University

Course Title
Programme
Term
Credits

: Criminology and Penology

: BBA/BA/B. COM LLB
: IX
:4
Learning

Hours

Contact hours

20

Guided Study

20

Assessment

10

Total

50

Objective:
This paper focuses on the scientific study of the nature, extent,
management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention
of criminal behavior, both on the individual and social levels.
Criminology and Penology are interdisciplinary field in the behavioral
sciences,
drawing
especially
upon
the
research
of sociologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social anthropologists, as
well as scholars of law.
Course Aims
The course is designed:
To develop students knowledge, critical understanding and skills
in the area of Criminology
To cultivate a questioning and critical approach to the
understanding of human behaviour and society
To encourage cognitive development and autonomous learning
To develop subject specific, cognitive and key transferable skills
of value in employment, further study and personal development
To provide opportunities that facilitate widening participation by
local/non-standard entrants to study Psychology and Criminology
and Penology
Teaching and Learning Methods
Students will learn through a combination of face to face contact and
guided study. Personal contact session will include Presentation, Class
room discussion, Case studies & Project Work outside of class.
Guided Study
Guided study includes textual readings, review of articles on
contemporary legal issues, written assignments, and case analysis and
class presentations.
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Student Assessment
Student performance is assessed on a continuous basis throughout the
term on their class participation, written assignments, debates and
class presentations. These exercises are graded. Plus there are major
examinations during the term - the class tests and end-term
examinations.
Indicative Course Content
Units
Contents

Unit-I

Unit-II

Unit-III

Introduction to
Criminology and
Perspectives of
Crime and
criminology

Schools of
Criminology and
Theories of Crime
Causation

Punishments and
Traditional
Methods of
treatment of
Offenders

Content Details

Lecture
s

Definition, Nature, Scope of

Criminology, Concept of
Crime- Definitions and
Elements, Perspectives of
Crime- Functionalist,
Conflict, Interactionist
Criminology- Individuals,
Situational, Socialstructural

Assign
ent/
Prese
tions/
Case
studie

Classical, Positivists,
Psychological and
Sociological

Biological- Cesare
Lombroso, PsychologicalFreudian theory,
Sociological- Durkheim's
theory of anomie (Strain
Theory), Control, Labeling,
Conflict, Edwin
Sutherland's theory of
differential association
Meaning, objective and
philosophy of Punishment Theories of Punishment

13

10

Meaning and Purpose of

Prisons- History,Philosophy,
development
and
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School of Law, Sharda University

significance

Unit-IV

Alternative
Methods of
Treatment of
offenders
TOTAL

Open Prisons, Probation,

Parole and Community
services based corrections
9
30

40

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of course, the students will be able to demonstrate:

knowledge and critical understanding of a range of theories and

perspectives in criminology and the analysis of human behaviour
and society
Identify and evaluate a range of key concepts and theoretical
approaches in Criminology
Identify and evaluate criminal justice system and correctional
services available
Analyse the alternative punishments
Recognise and appraise complex social problems and how they
inform criminological theory and evidence

Suggested Readings :

Siddique, A (1993), Criminology, Problems and Perspectives (2nd

ed.) Lucknow, Eastern Book House.
Upendra Baxi : The Crisis of the Indoan Legal System.
J.P.S. Sirohi: Criminology and Penology
N.V. Paranjape : Criminology & Penology with Victimology
Sutherland, H.E., & Cressey, D.R. (1974), Principles of
Criminology, Philadelphia : Lippincott.
George Vold and Thomas J. Bernard (1986), Theoretical
Criminology, New York : Oxford University Press.
Walter C. Reckless (1967), The Crime Problem, Bombay : Vakols,
Feffner & Simson P. Ltd.
John Conklin : Criminology.
Titus Reid (1982), Crime & Criminology, New York : Holt, Rinehard
& Winstoon.
K. S. Williams : Textbook on Criminology.
K. D. Gour : Criminal Law and Criminology.
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Pillai K. S. : Theories of Criminology.

Tierney John : Criminology : Theory and Context.
Erich Goode : Deviant Behaviour.
M. J. Sethna : Society and The Criminal.
M. B. Clinard : Sociology of Deviant Behaviour.
D. R. Simon : Elite Deviance.
T. Barker, D. L. Carter : Police Deviance.
R. L. Akers : Social learning and Social Structure : A General
Theory of Crime and Deviance.