Faculty of Health Sciences · Social Work · Undergraduate
Course Objective
This course aims to understand the social, economic, cultural, and psychological dimensions of crime and criminality, explore the causes and consequences of crime, and examine the role of social work in crime prevention and intervention. It seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with offenders and victims, providing effective social work interventions and preventive strategies.
Course Content
- Concepts of crime and criminality: Definitions and theoretical approaches
- Societal causes and impacts of crime
- Profiling criminals and analyzing criminal behavior
- Social policies and legal frameworks in combating crime
- Crime victims and victim support services
- Crime prevention strategies and social work interventions
- Social work in penal and correctional institutions
- Rehabilitation programs and reintegration efforts
- Social work with juvenile offenders
- Ethical dimensions of social work and human rights
Required Resources
- Marshall, I. H., & Farrington, D. P. (2005). Understanding Crime and Justice. Oxford University Press.
- Cullen, F. T., & Wilcox, P. (2010). Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory. SAGE Publications.
- Zastrow, C. (2016). Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People. Cengage Learning.
Explanations
The midterm will account for 40% of your grade, and the final will account for 60%.
Your own interpretations and critiques of theoretical approaches will also be influential in grading.
Exam questions will not be based on rote memorization; they are designed to help you internalize and understand the material.
Therefore, by learning to internalize knowledge and critically evaluate it, you will achieve better grades.
Although exams may appear as verbal evaluations, in reality, your writing style, analytical skills, and ability to interpret knowledge will determine your grade.
Exams are graded without considering student names.
For grade verification, a day or two after grading, randomly selected students’ exams are re-evaluated without looking at their original scores.
If any inconsistencies are detected, the entire class’s exams will be re-graded.
Rules
Your attendance is very important. Students with more than 70% absences will not be allowed to take the final exam.
Do not knock on the door when entering; you may enter the classroom at any time.
If you are up to 15 minutes late, you cannot sign for the 1st hour.
If you are 30 minutes late, you cannot sign for the 2nd hour.
If you are 1 hour late, you cannot sign for the 3rd hour.
These rules are designed to ensure proper monitoring and organization of the class.
Not being able to sign does not prevent you from attending the class. Outside of these times, students can attend and leave class at their convenience without signing in.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Midterm | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Practice | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 15 | 15 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adolescence as a Developmental Stage I | Recent Readings on Physical Growth, Sexual Maturation, Impulse Increase, Action Orientation, Developmental Tasks, Cognitive Development, and Moral Development in Adolescence |
| 2 | he Needs and Problems of Youth in the World and in Turkey | In preparation for the class, please review recent studies and reports on the social, educational, and psychological challenges faced by young people globally and in Turkey. |
| 3 | Youth Policies in the World and in Turkey | In preparation for the class, please examine the youth policies and strategies implemented globally and in Turkey. |
| 4 | Characteristics of Adolescence, Personality Development in Youth, and Formation of Identity and Self | In preparation for the class, please research the psychological and social characteristics of adolescence, personality development in youth, and the processes of identity and self formation. |
| 5 | Youth Welfare in Social Work | In preparation for the class, please examine the practices, programs, and policies related to youth welfare within the field of social work. |
| 6 | Socialization in Adolescence, Moral Development, and Theories | In preparation for the class, please research the socialization processes during adolescence and the main theories of moral development. |
| 7 | Social Work Institutions for Youth and Social Work Practices in These Institutions I (Family and Adolescent Counseling Units) | In preparation for the class, please examine social work institutions serving youth and the family and adolescent counseling services provided in these institutions. |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | In preparation for the class, please review all topics covered up to the midterm and go over your course notes. |
| 9 | Social Work Institutions for Youth and Social Work Practices in These Institutions II (Youth Shelters and Youth Centers) | In preparation for the class, please examine social work institutions serving youth and the services provided in youth shelters and youth centers. |
| 10 | Information Technology, Youth Policies, and Social Work | In preparation for the class, please examine the role of information technology in youth policies and social work practices. |
| 11 | Adolescent Family Relationships and Substance Use | In preparation for the class, please examine the connections between adolescents’ family relationships and their substance use behaviors. |
| 12 | Communication with Youth, Youth Abuse, Juvenile Delinquency, and Street Children | In preparation for the class, please research effective communication methods with youth, youth abuse, juvenile delinquency, and issues concerning street children. |
| 13 | Mental, Emotional, and Social Problems in Adolescence | In preparation for the class, please examine the mental, emotional, and social problems observed during adolescence. |
| 14 | Case Management in Service Delivery for Youth | In preparation for the class, please examine the processes and methods of case management in delivering social services to youth. |
| 15 | General Evaluation | In preparation for the class, please review the topics covered throughout the course and summarize the key concepts. |
| 16 | Final Exam | In preparation for the class, please review all topics covered throughout the course and revisit the key concepts. |