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Criminal Law and Criminology (LAW-RT-CRILAW-26)

LAW-RT-CRILAW-26

Description

Rationale 
This interdisciplinary course explores the complex relationship between social constructionism, criminology and criminal law. Law does not operate in isolation from social perceptions, whether in its formulation or its application. Instead of viewing law as separate from society and social perceptions, we show that it is not immune to expectations, assumptions, stereotypes and biases. In our teaching, we draw on the disciplines of sociology, criminology and law and welcome researchers across departments interested in law and society, criminology, victimology, corruption, financial crime, organised crime and critical theory. The objective of the seminar is to (i) introduce students to criminal law and criminology, and to (ii) explore the way in which social constructions affect these disciplines. This seminar aims to contribute to the EUI Department of Law’s engagement with the social and cultural dimensions of the law and current issues in European and international legal thought and practice. Criminal law is a fast-moving field with complex links to international institutions and strongly benefits from comparative analysis with the resources of both the legal scholar and the social scientist. Centring the social construction of legal norms makes the sociopolitical stakes and power imbalances underpinning criminal law visible.

The seminar is designed to guide participants gradually from the definition of core concepts to an interdisciplinary exploration of case studies focused on live issues subject to legislative change, litigation, and political mobilisation at multiple levels. The opening session provides these conceptual foundations. Sessions two through four tackle evolving, transnational issue areas within criminal law where they are tested, strained and challenged: victimology, organised crime, and corruption. The concluding session follows the interactive model of the others, adopting a workshop format, encouraging participants to reflect on and relate the course agenda to contexts of their choice, evaluating avenues for change.

Course readings reflect the intention to situate criminal law in wider contexts, highlighting both its societal impact and the diverse extra-legal influences that shape its crafting and interpretation. They therefore span disciplinary boundaries and combine established theory with recent critical and revisionist perspectives and case studies. Participants are invited to treat this literature as the point of departure for rich class discussion and to bring their research interests and personal and professional experiences to the table.

Aims
This seminar aims to develop a detailed understanding of the interaction between criminal law and society through the study of selected case-studies in critical perspective.

Learning outcomes

• To develop a detailed understanding of and be able to explain the connection between criminal law and society
• To critically analyse how legal norms in criminal law are produced and understood
• To critically evaluate the relevant criminal law including how social constructionism may influence this area of law
• To demonstrate thorough knowledge and critical assessment of key academic debates, principles, concepts, and arguments concerning criminal law and society.
• To communicate a complex set of ideas, debates and arguments.

Teaching and learning methods
This course adopts a student-centred pedagogical approach that encourages collaborative learning. Constructive alignment is implemented by ensuring that teaching activities and learning outcomes are integrated, enabling students to successfully meet the course objectives. Teaching will be delivered through two-hour seminars, divided into a one-hour lecture and a one-hour discussion session. Lectures will introduce key concepts, theories, and debates, drawing on case studies to illustrate their practical relevance. Seminar discussions will allow students to critically engage with course materials and exchange perspectives. Peer-to-peer learning will be encouraged through collaborative discussion.

To sum up, the methods used will be: 

• Lectures including lecture slides (power point)
• Case Studies
• Seminar-based discussion
• Peer-to-peer learning

The reading list includes diverse scholarly voices and perspectives. All sessions will use the same core text to ensure that students are able to easily follow the flow of the seminars. Each session is assigned around 3 required readings, and various suggested readings for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge on the subject. Students will benefit from engaging critically with this range of perspectives and developing the confidence to articulate, challenge, and refine their own ideas through discussion, reflection, and collaborative learning. The course is designed to foster an inclusive learning environment in which all students are encouraged to contribute, disagree respectfully, and bring their own experiences and viewpoints into the conversation.

First, Second & Third Term: registration from 21 to 25 September 2026

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