| CODE | CRI1009 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Interpersonal Violence | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Interpersonal violence is defined by the World Health Organization as any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship. Relationship can be real or perceived whilst offenders can be both known and unknown to the victim. What is real is the suffering and pain that victims are exposed to in the 'direct' form of attack. Everyday media reports on incidence of sexual violence, stalking, bullying, and other forms of harassment. Some of the incidents highlight the plight of the victims who, confused and powerless to address this category of violence, turn towards self-harm and suicide. This study-unit will explore interpersonal violence from different perspectives: - Who are the victims and offenders? - What is the impact of interpersonal violence? - How the victims cope with attacks and what remedies exist to protect them? - What role does technology play in initiating such crime? Are social networking sites and other cyber services facilitating or creating the environment for criminal behaviour? - The impact of substance abuse on offending? In this study-unit various forms of violence that fit into the category of interpersonal violence are discussed. This includes bullying, stalking, harassment, work place violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, elderly abuse and hate crimes. In relation to all of these aspects of violence we will look at the media's reporting and how this is sometimes distorted. Such an approach also considers the influence of cyberspace on such violence. Study-unit Aims: - To define and discuss interpersonal violence in all its forms; - To identify basic characteristics and classifications of interpersonal violence, the causes, and the consequences for individuals and society at large; - To explore and discuss thematic areas such as bullying, stalking, harassment, workplace violence, elderly abuse, sexual violence and domestic violence, interpersonal violence; - To obtain an appreciation of theoretical and legal frameworks that relate to interpersonal violence; - To discuss how society and the media relate to interpersonal violence. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - differentiate between the various forms of interpersonal violence; - demonstrate in depth knowledge of the nature and prevalence of interpersonal violence in contemporary society; - demonstrate knowledge of different theoretical perspectives of interpersonal violence; - demonstrate knowledge of victim and offender profiles; - show and demonstrate an understanding of the regulation of violence in relation to policing practices and rehabilitation programmes; - evaluate the response elicited from society and the media. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recognise the different characteristics of interpersonal violence; - critically apply theories that explain such crime; - conceptualise and integrate the technical and social aspects of interpersonal violence and its consequences; - present research findings. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Hamby, S. & Grych, J. (2013). The Web of Violence - Exploring connections among different forms of interpersonal violence and abuse. Springer Briefs in Sociology. - Holmes, T.S. & Holmes, R.H. (2004). Violence: a contemporary reader. USA:Prentice Hall. - Holmes, S.T., and Holmes, R.M. (2009). Sex Crimes (3rd Ed.). Sage: London. - Mezey, G.C., and King, M.B. (2000). Male Victims of Sexual Assault (2nd Ed.). Oxford University Press: UK. - Naphy, W. ( 2002). Sex Crimes: From Renaissance to Enlightenment. Tempus: UK. - Riedel, M. and Welsh, W. (2008). Criminal Violence: Patterns, Causes, and Prevention (2nd Ed.).Oxford University Press: UK. - Salter, A. C. (2003). Predators, Pedophiles, Rapists, & Other Sex Offenders: Who they are, How they Operate, and How we can Protect Ourselves and Our Children. Basic Books: New York. - Spitzberg, B.H. & Cupach, W.R. (2014). The Dark Side of Relationship Pursuit: from attraction to obsession and stalking (2nd ed.). New York, USA: Routledge. - Terry, K.J.(2006). Sexual Offenses and Offenders: Theory, Practice, and Policy. Wadsworth Cengage Learning: US. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Caruana |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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