School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences

Course Syllabus

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:
- the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
- the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
- the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:
- gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
- stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
- communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- Describe and explain what biosocial criminology is and how the field of biosocial criminology has developed.
- Describe and explain basic concepts within biosocial criminology.
- Describe and assess various current research areas and methods within biosocial criminology.
- Compare presentations of biosocial criminology in fiction and media with results from research within the field.
- Analyze and suggest how insights from research within the field of biosocial criminology can be used in developing effective crime prevention strategies.

This course deals with the basic concepts within biosocial criminology and the research methodology commonly used within the field. The course involves an orientation in current research, including research on the importance of genes, biology, psychophysiology, nervous system, and pre- and perinatal factors, as well as, social and other environmental factors in relation to different types of antisocial behaviors, including crime. The course also involves discussions about how this kind of research differs from the presentations in the media and other non-scientific sources concerning the impact of genetic and biological and/or environmental factors in relation to crime, and how insights from research within the field of biosocial criminology can be used in developing effective crime prevention strategies. A general focus is that the students should practise the ability to apply the knowledge on realistic cases and situations.

The course is held in English. Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures, oral presentations, field studies, exercises, and seminars. Independent studies as well as studies in groups according to instruction form a significant part of the course. Several elements within the course are mandatory and will be specified at the beginning of the course. In the case of absence from mandatory components of the course, see study guide for further information.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

In order to obtain the final course grade Pass (G) a passing grade on both examinations is required. In order to obtain the final course grade Pass with Distinction (VG) the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) is required for 5 course credits as well as a passing grade on the remaining course credits. For exchange students the grades will be translated to the ECTS grading scale.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

One year full-time studies in behavioural and/or social sciences.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

The course is given in English.

Re-examination:
1. A student who fails has the right to sit a new examination. In the normal case an additional opportunity is given after the ordinary examination.
2. For a course that has been cancelled or significantly changed in content or scope, there may be examinations on three occasions within 18 months after the changes have been made.
3. A student who has failed an exam for a certain course or part of course on two occasions have the right to request the head of the department to appoint another examiner.
4. A student who has been awarded the grade Pass on a specific course will not be given a new exam in order to achieve the grade Pass with Distinction.
5. Exams and assignments that are handed in too late will not be graded.

The grading scale includes Pass (G, Godkänd), Fail (U, Underkänd) and Pass with Distinction (VG; Väl Godkänd) for Swedish students and an ECTS based grade for international students. ECTS based grading system includes A (VG +), B (VG), C (G +), D (G), E (G-; sufficient; pass), FX (fail, some work is needed in order to receive a passing grade), and F (Fail, considerable work is necessary). A student who receives a passing grade on the exam may not retake an exam to receive a higher grade. A student who fails an exam has the right to retake the exam. A student who has failed two retake examination can request from the Head of Department that another teacher is appointed to grade their examination. To pass the entire course the examination and participation in seminars must have been passed. The grade is an integrated judgement of the results from the exam and active participation in seminars and is given when all parts have been passed.


Transitional Provisions

For further information, see number 2 below, under Other Provisions, Re-examination.

Required Reading

Artiklar och annat material, max 500 sidor, tillkommer som obligatorisk litteratur och specificeras i studiehandledningen i början av kursen.

Articles and other material, maximum 500 pages, will be added as mandatory literature and specified in the study guide at the beginning of the course.

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