Developmental Prespectives on the Study of Deviant Behaviour and Crime

Recommended Prerequisites

 Not applied. 

Teaching Methods

Lectures will be of a theoretical/practical  nature,  mainly consisting of an oral presentation and discussion , supported by a specific bibliography for each class.  Whenever possible or convenient , the lecture will be  accompanied and enriched by the analysis and discussion of scientific  documentaries ( as well as research texts or news) , considered relevant for  the topics select for each lecture as well  as for the objectives of this course  and for Social Work in general.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide a broad and critical view of the most relevant research works on the dev. of deviant behaviour “Developmental Criminology”

Special attention will be devoted to the various  manifestations of deviant conduct  throughout successive periods of life, as well as to the numerous  risk and protection factors  that influence  their onset continuity/discontinuities. The students are expected to  have acquired  a deep knowledge of the

 1.Most relevant concepts typical  of the developmental approach  to deviancy and crime

 2.Most commonly used methodologies in this field

 3.Development of those behaviours across life

 4.Risk and protective factors  responsible for their continuity and discontinuity

 5.Most influential  theoretical models in developmental criminology

 6.Issues that originate more debate and research  in this field

 7.Implications for the intervention and social reintegration programs

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

Developmental  perspectives  on deviant behaviour:

Origins and contexts

Relevance for Social Workers and allied professions

Essential concepts  of Developmental Criminology

2. Methodologies and instruments

Importance of longitudinal studies

Need of different sources of information

3. Different manifestations  of deviant behaviour across lives

Their risk and protective factors

Desistance in different stages of life

4. Developmental explanations  of deviant behavior by

T. Moffitt

Sampson and Laub

Farrington

Gottfredson and  Hirschi

Other models

5. Implications for intervention

Early prevention

Intervention in correctional settings  and social reintegration after re-entree into community

6. Especial topics

Deviant conduct from adolescence to adulthood

Relationship delinquency/substance use  in a developmental perspective

Others

Head Lecturer(s)

António Castro Fonseca

Assessment Methods

Evaluation
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Farrington,D.P. (ed.)(2005).Integrated  Developmental & Life-course theories of offending. London: Transaction Publishers.

Finkellhor,D.(2008). Childhood Vctimization: violence,crime and abuse in the lives of young people. Oxford: OxfprdUniversity Press.

Fonseca,A.C.(2002)(ed.).Comportamento anti-social e família: Uma abordagem científica. Coimbra: Almedina.

Fonseca,A.C.(2004).Comportamento anti-social e crime: Da infância à idade adulta. Coimbra: Almedina.

Fonseca,A.C. (2014). Jovens Adultos. Coimbra: Almedina

Gibson,C.L.  & Krhohn,M.D.(eds) (2013). Handbook of life-course criminology: Emerging trends and directions  for future research. London: Springer.

Sampson,R.J. &  Laub, J. (2005).Developmental Criminology and Its Discontents:Trajectories of Crime from Childhood to Old Age.. Thousand Oaks, Calif : Sage Publications.