AP/CRIM 3659 3.00
Criminology and Human Rights
Crosslisted: AP/SOSC 3659
The purpose of this course is to establish the analytical connections between the knowledge fields of criminology and human rights. Among the topics considered are human rights perspectives within criminology, human rights implications of policing, crime prevention, and state and corporate crimes, International Criminal Court, and international crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Criminology and human rights are connected fields of study. Human rights can provide the discursive tools and concepts to critically evaluate social, physical, and economic harms caused by state and corporate action or inaction. Are some fundamental rights and freedoms restricted or denied in the name of public security, national interests, community safety or corporate gain? Which human rights instruments can be used to promote and protect the individuals and groups against abusive state and corporate power? The answers to these questions require an understanding of human rights as a central element of criminological inquiry. Thus, the purpose of this course is to establish the analytical connections between the knowledge fields of criminology and human rights. Among the topics considered are human rights perspectives within criminology, human rights and criminal law, human rights implications of policing, surveillance, detention, crime prevention, and state and corporate crimes, International Criminal Court, restorative justice and human rights, and international crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.