Course syllabus

Police Science, 7.5 credits

Course code: KR713G Credits: 7.5
Main field of study: Criminology Progression: GXX
    Last revised: 13/03/2020
Education cycle: First cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 19/12/2019 Reading list approved: 13/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

  • the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
  • the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
  • the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

  • gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
  • stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
  • communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Describe and explain basic concepts within the field of police science.
  • Describe and assess the research methodology commonly used within the field.
  • Describe and assess various types of working methods the police use.
  • Reflect on how the police and police work in fiction and media are presented and relate this with results from research within the field.
  • Analyze and suggest how research in police science can be used to develop effective police methods, crime prevention, and safety promoting strategies.

Main content of the course

This course deals with the basic concepts within the field of police science, the role of the police in Sweden and internationally, as well as, the research methodologies commonly used in this field. The course also involves an orientation into current research, including research on various types of police methods such as problem-oriented policing and hot-spots policing. The course involves discussions about how this kind of research differs from how the police and police work are presented in the media and other non-scientific sources, and how insights from this research can be used in developing effective police methods as well as crime prevention and safety promoting strategies. A general focus is that the students should practise the ability to apply the knowledge on realistic cases and situations.

Teaching methods

The course is held in English. Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures, oral presentations, field studies, exercises, and seminars. Independent studies as well as studies in groups according to instruction form a significant part of the course. Several elements within the course are mandatory and will be specified at the beginning of the course. In the case of absence from mandatory components of the course, see study guide for further information.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Police Science I, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Individually Written Paper

Police Science II, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Written Assignments and seminars


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Police Science I
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Police Science II
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each examination in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

One year full-time studies in behavioural and/or social sciences.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Re-examination:
1. A student who fails has the right to sit a new examination. In the normal case an additional opportunity is given after the ordinary examination.
2. For a course that has been cancelled or significantly changed in content or scope, there may be examinations on three occasions within 12-18 months after the changes have been made.
3. A student who has failed an exam for a certain course or part of course on two occasions have the right to request the head of the department to appoint another examiner.
4. A student who has been awarded the grade Pass on a specific course will not be given a new exam in order to achieve the grade Pass with Distinction.
5. Exams and assignments that are handed in too late will not be graded.

Transitional provisions

For further information, see number 2 under Other Provisions, Re-examination.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required reading

Newburn, Tim (2008) 2a upplagan
Handbook of Policing
United Kingdom: Willan Publishing, 875 pages

Weisburd, David, Hinkle, C., Joshua, Braga, A., Anthony & Wooditch, Alese (2015)
Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Broken Windows Policing: The Need for Evaluation Evidence
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 52(4), 589-608 pages

Articles and other material, maximum 150 pages, will be added as mandatory literature and specified in the study guide at the beginning of the course.

Additional Reading

Newburn, Tim (2017) 3e upplagan
Criminology
Abingdon: Routledge Publishing, 1168 pages