This course examines the problems and dilemmas in shaping effective policies to deal with public concerns over crime. Governments and the relevant institutions are pressed to respond effectively and visibly to the pressures and fears generated by criminals in the society. The course will therefore emphasise the ways in which social science research and analysis can help in such challenges. Who should be the key stakeholders in framing public on crime, and how are sectoral pressures and ideologies accommodated in framing public policy on crime? How is public policy on crime related to the existing political systems of the Caribbean and the overall practice of good governance? What kinds of tensions exist between the researcher and the policy-maker and how could these be mitigated or reduced? What are some of the major obstacles in developing and especially implementing public policies on crime? How can the public be mobilised to contribute and support public policies on crime? These are some of the questions which will be examined in this course. The bureaucratic mechanism of policy-making itself will be discussed. We will then use a number of existing policies on crime to help explain the actual processes involved. For example, the course will examine the policy response to certain crimes such domestic violence, corporate crime and State corruption, delinquency and the general role of the law in crime prevention. Delivery will be via lectures and there will be a coursework and final exam.
Department of Behavourial Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences
Cost: TT $3198 (including all Compulsory Fees)
- Pre-Requisites: an undergraduate degree, in a related discipline, from an approved university
- Course Credits: 3
- Assessments: Coursework 40%; Final Examination 60%
- Duration: January 20 – April 11, 2025
- Lecture Time: Wednesdays 5:00 – 8:00pm (UTC−04:00)
- Mode of Delivery: Face to Face