Course Objectives
This course examines criminal victimization and social responses from traditional legal, psychological, socio-political, and economic perspectives. It draws on contemporary victimological theories and empirical research, and reviews victim support systems in Bangladesh.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding:
- CLO1: Understand the history, theories, and concepts of victimology, including victim rights and typologies.
- CLO2: Analyze social/legal costs of victimization and outline legal/community-based support frameworks.
- CLO3: Evaluate victims' shared responsibility (facilitation, provocation) and trauma recovery in the Criminal Justice System.
Syllabus & Lecture Details
| Lecture | Topics / Contents | CLOs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: Definition, history, victim rights, typologies (primary, secondary, tertiary), and victimology vs criminology. | CLO1 |
| 2 | Classification of Victim & Victimology: Women as victims (dowry, sexual assault, trafficking, acid violence); children, youth, ethnic minorities, and victims of state/corporate abuse of power. | CLO1 |
| 3 | Theories of Victimology: Rational Choice, Lifestyle, Deviant Place, Routine Activity, and Victim Precipitation. | CLO1 |
| 4 | Crime Victim Statistics: Use and abuse, UCR vs NCVS, British Crime Survey, and the economic cost of victimization. | CLO1 |
| 5 | Response to Prevent Victimization: Sociological understanding, self-victimization, and social class class-identifications. | CLO2 |
| 6 | Mid-term Exam | - |
| 7 | Shared Responsibility: Search for risk factors, victim facilitation, provocation, and the debate on Victim Blaming vs Victim Defending. | CLO3 |
| 8 | Victim Rights and Restoration: Inalienable rights (information, safety, protection, participation), restorative justice, and open prison models. | CLO2 |
| 9 | Impact of Victimization & CJS: Trauma, Legal Aid, Victim Support Centers (ASK, etc.), advocacy, and expectations from the CJS. | CLO3 |
| 10 | Assignment and Presentation | - |
Quick Course Data
Credit points
2 Credits
Course Type
Compulsory
Guided Self-Study
10 Hours
Assessment & Evaluation
Class Attendance & Participation5%
Writing Assignments10%
Mid-Term Exam15%
Presentation10%
Final Exam60%
Recommended Readings
- W. G. Doerner & S. P. Lab (2012) - Victimology, Routledge
- J. Goodey (2005) - Victims and Victimology: Research, Policy and Practice, Pearson
- A. Karmen (1984) - Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology, Brooks/Cole
- L. Kennedy & V. Sacco (1998) - Crime Victims in Context, Roxbury
- M. G. Letschert (2012) - Compilation of International Victims' Rights Instruments
- R. Meadows (2004) - Understanding Violence and Victimization, Prentice Hall
- H. Scott (2011) - Victimology: Canadians in Context, Oxford University Press
- Michael J. Sandel (2009) - Justice: What is the Right Thing to Do?, Farrar, Straus & Giroux