SOCIOLOGY OF LAW, DEVIANCE AND ORGANIZED CRIME

The course aims at providing students with theoretical research tools for the empirical analysis of crime and deviance, also with regard to organized crime. The main theoretical perspectives for interpreting criminal phenomena and deviant behavior will be discussed. Current issues connected to crime perception in contemporary societies will be also accounted for. Criminal policy is specifically dealt with, with special regard to corruption and mafia-type organizations. By acquiring the discipline’s analytical resources, students should begin to understand the relationship between explanatory models of criminal phenomena and relevant policy tools, also devoping a critical analisys skill. Our learning objectives regard the ability to use the concepts, theoretical approaches and methodological tools of the discipline for interpreting criminal phenomena and analyzing criminal policies, with special consideration of organized crime. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students should have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the main theories of crime. Furthermore, they should be able to recognize the features of mafia type organizations. Moreover students are expected to know the essentials of criminal policies, also with regard to those addressing organized crime. Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired for the analysis of criminal behavior and related criminal policies. This is relevant for those public organisations that implement criminal policies, especially the police forces. The achievement of such objectives will be assessed through exercises and group work carried out both during class time and at home. Making judgements: Students will be able to strengthen both their critical awareness and capacity for expressing independent judgments with regard to the actual trends of specific types of crime. They will also be able to understand the distinctive features of policy tools addressing crime. This will be obtained by comparing strengths and weaknesses of various criminological theories, by critically analysing media representations, by discussing the effectiveness of some criminal policies, by illustrating the connected transformations of criminal organisations. Communication Skills: Students will be invited to participate in class. They are expected to show mastery of the concepts learned and ability to communicate them properly. Learning skills: One of the teaching objectives of the course is to allow students to learn theoretical and methodological skills for the analysis of specific criminal phenomena, with particular regard to mafia-type organizations. Therefore, the course aims at stimulating their autonomous capacity for learning new knowledge and skills. On the basis of what they will have heard during the course, students should be able to update and expand their knowledge by drawing independently on relevant texts and sources of information.

It is advisable to possess some knowledge of the main sociological concepts and theoretical approaches.

Our learning objectives regard the ability to use the concepts, theoretical approaches and methodological tools of the discipline for interpreting criminal phenomena and analyzing criminal policies, with special consideration of organized crime. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students should have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the main theories of crime. Furthermore, they should be able to recognize the features of mafia type organizations. Moreover students are expected to know the essentials of criminal policies, also with regard to those addressing organized crime. Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired for the analysis of criminal behavior and related criminal policies. This is relevant for those public organisations that implement criminal policies, especially the police forces. The achievement of such objectives will be assessed through exercises and group work carried out both during class time and at home. Making judgements: Students will be able to strengthen both their critical awareness and capacity for expressing independent judgments with regard to the actual trends of specific types of crime. They will also be able to understand the distinctive features of policy tools addressing crime. This will be obtained by comparing strengths and weaknesses of various criminological theories, by critically analysing media representations, by discussing the effectiveness of some criminal policies, by illustrating the connected transformations of criminal organisations. Communication Skills: Students will be invited to participate in class. They are expected to show mastery of the concepts learned and ability to communicate them properly. Learning skills: One of the teaching objectives of the course is to allow students to learn theoretical and methodological skills for the analysis of specific criminal phenomena, with particular regard to mafia-type organizations. Therefore, the course aims at stimulating their autonomous capacity for learning new knowledge and skills. On the basis of what they will have heard during the course, students should be able to update and expand their knowledge by drawing independently on relevant texts and sources of information.

1. Main concepts used in the sociology of crime and deviance. 2. Main explanatory models and interpretative approaches. 3. Methods, tools and research techniques for the analysis of criminal phenomena. 4. Mafia-type organized crime, including topics such as the so-called metodo mafioso, criminal strategies, the colonization of new territories. 5. Prevention Criminal Policies. 6.Gangs in Italy: structures, contests and policies

F. Prina, (2019), Devianza e criminalità. Concetti, metodi di ricerca, cause, politiche, Carocci. R. Sciarrone (2025), Prima lezione di Sociologia delle mafie, Editori Laterza, capp.1; 3; 5 V. Punzo (2026), Bande giovanili in Italia. Identità, contesti e interventi di policy, Mondadori FURTHERMORE Additional documentation and readings will be provided by instructor. Students can propose alternative textbooks and/or readings, also in English, which must be agreed upon within four weeks after the start of the course.

Teaching activities consist of traditional lessons, online discussions, case study analysis. Students can be engaged in presentations in classes. Experts and practicioners will be invited to express their points of view.

A mid-term oral test will be held. Such test consists of questions concerning the topics treated in the first half of the course. Those who pass the mid-term text can then take the rest of the oral exam on a date of their choice from the exam session. Students who did not show up at mid-term test will take the whole exam, which is an oral one. Students who are not satisfied with the score obtained in the mid-term text can decide to take the whole exam, too. Both the mid-term test and the final exam are meant to assess whether students have a sufficient knowledge of key concepts, methodological problems and topics treated in the course, as well as their ability to discuss them using proper linguistic expressions. Oral presentations, groupwork and other activities in class are considered for the final grade and weight at least one thirtieth.

Personal interest in the subject.