3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 1006903BER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Law and Criminology
Department
Criminology
Educational team
Olga Petintseva (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
60 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

In a first part, the history of the probation service and its development into forensic welfare work is discussed. The forensic work field in Belgium (mainly Flanders) is mapped out.

In a second part, the ‘assistance and justice' debate is addressed: the common thread throughout the course. The course offers a theoretical, policy-oriented and practice-based approach to this field of tension.

A third part examines how forensic welfare work takes shape conceptually and in social practice. Here the cooperation agreements between the Federal State (Justice, Interior) and the Community Governments are discussed, the strategic plan for assistance and services to detainees, victim assistance, the issue of internment, restorative approaches.... (chosen topics may vary from year to year).

Alongside classical lectures, interactive work formats and hands on assignments are used, such as case discussions, discussions, short writing exercises (e.g., social media posts).

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides, Slides, Olga Petintseva, 2024-2025, Canvas
Additional info

For working students, the recordings of the lectures will be available digitally and several online contact moments will be organized in the evening. 
More specific information will be included on the Canvas page of the course.
For further information, contact the professor via olga.petintseva@vub.be.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

Knowledge and insight

  • Having insight in the (societal) historical development of the Forensic welfare system
  • Knowing the central theoretical concepts, basic methods and –techniques of relevant science domains (in case psychology and social work)
  • Knowing and having insight in the role and work of the different actors involved in the domain of forensic welfare work
  • Knowing the specific terminology

Competences

  • Being able to place current criminological debates in their historical, cultural-societal en political context and to evaluate them critically.
  • Being able to clearly, correctly and critically communicate in written about a (forensic) criminological subject.
  • Being able to recognize theoretical insights in practice.

Attitudes

  • Having an interested, critical and independent mind
  • Having an important interest and sensitivity towards societal and criminological questions
  • Having a respectful stance towards emotional and ethical aspects of the domains under study
  • Having a attitude of openness and working within different disciplines

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Open book exam, for which students may use slides and their own notes.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Open book exam, for which students may use slides and their own notes. 

One of the essay questions will be announced in advance. Students bring the preparation of their answer to the exam (which counts toward the final grade of the written exam).

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Profile Cultural Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Criminology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Criminology: Verkort traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Psychology: Afstudeerrichting arbeids- en organisatiepsychologie (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Dual Master in Comparative Corporate and Financial Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Civil and Procedural Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Criminology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Economic Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Tax Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: International and European Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Public Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Social Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Criminal Law (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Laws: Law and Technology (only offered in Dutch)