Crime and Deviance in South African Cities

Course Description

There are two objectives to the course. In the first place we consider the nature of deviance, crime and criminality in South Africa, from both a historical and current viewpoint. We consider questions such as how mu
ch crime is there in South Africa. Who are the victims of crime and who are the offenders and why is crime in South Africa so violent? This discussion draws freely from international criminological debate and locates those debates within a developing context. The second objective of the course aims at exploring the responses to crime in the South African context. We consider questions such as what has and is being done to engage with crime. What is the thinking behind (violent) crime control and prevention programmes and initiatives? How effective have these initiatives been? Thisdiscussion will, for instance, focus on crime policies that have been developed as well as community and private sector initiatives to address issues of crime and violence.

Assessment: Coursework counts 50% and includes a class test (20%), and essay (20%) and continuous online assessments (10%); one two-hour examination counts 50% of t e final mark.

NOTE: This course is offered through Sociology by the Department of Public Law.