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Criminology and punishment

Course Description: The course addresses the phenomenon of crime from the perspective of research challenges. It then covers the research methods that criminology employs to investigate the facts of this phenomenon. It also explores the theories proposed to explain criminal behavior, as well as identifying the various factors that can influence an individual and lead them to a path of crime. Acknowledging the reality of the criminal phenomenon necessitates the student's understanding of the punitive aspect as a means of social reaction. Furthermore, it introduces the forms of criminal penalties, the challenges associated with applying these penalties, and the methods and evolution of punitive practices throughout history and up to the present day. It also covers methods of treatment within penal institutions, and finally, post-punitive aftercare services.

Credits: 2

Objectives of the course :

The objective of teaching this course is to introduce the student to the phenomenon of crime in terms of its theoretical problems and appropriate solutions, as well as to familiarize the student with penal schools and the philosophies that have been put forward regarding the justification of criminal punishment, and the problems associated with the application of those punishments. It also aims to provide the student with sufficient knowledge about penal treatment and methods of penal enforcement and their development through the ages until the present time, as well as conditional release of the convicted person and their aftercare, with an understanding of social defense systems, and a comparison between the social defense system and Islamic Sharia, within the time frame of the course.

Course outputs :

Knowledge and understanding:
1- To understand the concepts of criminology and penology and their relationship to other criminal and procedural sciences.
2- To describe the nature of criminal penalties, and the general principles of punishment and preventive measures.
3. To clarify the state's efforts in the field of reform, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.
Skills:
Analyze the criminal phenomenon and the theories that govern it through work groups.
2. To apply a correct mechanism for comparing penalties and precautionary measures.
To accurately formulate the differences between types of correctional institutions.
Values, autonomy and responsibility:
1. Use modern communication and technological means in studying criminal issues and dealing with others.
To take responsibility for finding sound solutions in studying the case of defendants and prisoners in their natural environments.

Additional information:

Course Topics:
The Principles of Criminology.
The explanation of the criminal phenomenon.
Internal and external factors driving crime.
The Sharia's stance on interpreting the causes of crime.
Crime prevention methods.
Basic Principles of Criminology.
Punishment: its characteristics, purposes, types, and major problems.
Preventive measures: their characteristics, types, purposes, conditions, and the distinction between them and punishment + midterm exam.
Organization of punitive institutions and their types.
Supervision of the enforcement of criminal penalties.
Treatment within correctional institutions.
Release of the convicted person.

Last updated: 2026-05-17