Criminology Laboratory

The Criminology Workshop aims to provide a basic framework for the subject, addressing deviant and criminal behaviour and forms of social reaction from a theoretical and practical perspective, and introducing students to analysis and research methods in the field of criminal law and criminology.

The Workshop will consist of two complementary modules:

The first module will provide a general, introductory overview of the main theories and definitions in criminology, as well as addressing the interactions between criminology and criminal law. It will then dedicate a “special” section to analysing selected criminological categories as case studies (e.g., economic crime – white-collar crimes, organised crime, political-administrative crime, environmental crime, food crime, etc.).

The second module will focus on aspects of legal psychology, considering the behavioural dynamics and psychological interrelationships of individuals involved in legal proceedings. Among other topics, the course will explore the areas of intervention for legal psychology, the origins and dynamics of criminal trajectories, expert assessments, specific types of offenders (e.g., in the context of serial crimes and sexual offences), as well as deviance and juvenile delinquency.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to independently understand, interpret, and apply definitions, concepts, and methodologies specific to the field of criminology.

Lecturers

Irene Petruccelli – Giorgio Ardizzone

General Rules

• The course lasts a total of 30 hours, after which students will be required to work on assigned project work. To have the University Credits recognised, students must attend 80% of the total hours, which amounts to 24 hours (therefore, a maximum of 6 hours of absence is allowed), and must be deemed eligible for the final assessment by the lecturer.
• A tutor will be responsible for recording attendance, which will be done by signing a register. Failure to sign in and/or out will be considered an absence. There will be no exceptions to the sole criterion for awarding university credits: attendance.
• Absence hours will be calculated based on the attendance records. Depending on the schedule or personal needs, students can either take a full day off or miss individual hours across multiple lessons.
• Once a student has chosen their pathway, they will not be able to earn University Credits through any other means.
• Students who have already earned the University Credits required by their study plan for Other Activities, or who have already started attending optional language courses or other activities for which credits are recognised, are excluded.

Additional information

• The course will take place during the first semester.
• The course will be delivered in Italian.
• All sessions will take place on either a Friday or a Saturday.

The activity calendar will be available in September.

Registration

Students enrolled in the third year of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree in Law for the 2026/2027 academic year will be able to select the Soft Skills Criminology Workshop course directly via Web Self Service when completing their Study Plan, in order to earn the relevant credits.

For more information, please email: softskills@luiss.it