9 ECTS credits
250 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4011517FNW for working students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The Policing and Surveillance profile focuses on four central themes: 'abstract police', legitimacy, diversity and surveillance. In particular, it considers the following research questions:
1. What is the legitimacy of the police? How is this concept operationalized? (international literature review)
2. Which surveillance technology (bodycams, cameras, drones, police apps, etc.) do the police use? What are the consequences of this for the relationship between the police and citizens and the day-to-day functioning of the police?
3. The use of identity checks (stop and search) in daily police practices. How do the police view this and how are citizens experiencing it?
4. What diversity policy is currently pursued by the police in Belgium? Is there racism and discrimination by the police (both internally and externally the police organisation)? Do they use surveillance technologies to socially sort the so-called BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) groups?
5. What are the existent police models and strategies (community policing, predictive policing, intelligence-led policing, ...) and how do they relate to topics like legitimacy and the police use of technology?
6. What does the concept of surveillance mean for the police and their daily work? How is this reflected in police policy?
7. What is the meaning of sousveillance? What examples and practices can be found in the relationship between citizens and the police? How do citizens monitor the work of the police (for example, by recording cases of police abuse and violence against minorities)? What is its impact in issues of trust and legitimacy?
Each of these themes is covered with texts and slides that are explained in the lessons. The texts form the basic material for this course and are part of the examination material. The exam is not an open book exam but the students may bring summaries of classes, texts and slides with them.
During the lesson weeks, lectures are alternated with guest lectures, (reading) seminars and interactive debates. Presence in the classroom must therefore be accompanied by active participation and involvement. We will also visit the local police of Antwerp, who are the most advanced police force in Belgium when it comes to the development and use of surveillance, information and communication technologies in daily police work.
Working students
The study material and the assignments of this course will be available to them on Canvas The lessons for the day students are partly recorded and also made available on Canvas for them and for the working students. In addition, three contact moments are provided for the working students. During this period, assignments for the preparation of the lectures will be given. The lectures should be considered as interactive contact moments between students and teachers. Thorough preparation is a prerequisite for this. The exam is also the same as that of the day students. The working students can join the lessons of the day students at any time.
Erasmus students
For the Erasmus students there is a reading course in English to replace the lessons that will take place in Dutch. They are expected to follow all classes and guest lectures in English and also be present at the visit to the police of Antwerp.
Covid-19
Lessons, assessment and other contact moments may take place face to face and/or online, depending on the measures imposed by the government regarding Covid-19 as well as the availability of the classrooms.
Knowledge and insights
Skills
Attitude
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 30% of the final mark.
PRAC Paper determines 70% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The assessment consists of the following assignment categories:
Within the HOC Presentation category, the following assignments must be completed:
Explanation: Written exam, students are allowed to bring their personal notes (more details will be given in class and in the programme available on Canvas).
Within the WPO Practice Assignment category, the following assignments must be completed:
On the basis of an ONLINE written exam the knowledge and application of the treated scientific literature is tested. In addition, students must make individual and / or group assignments within the framework of the tutorials (regarding the compulsory literature and / or the invited guest speakers and / or the attended study days, etc.). Students with unstable network acces or no available laptop can ask to make their examination on campus in forseen room.
Required tutorials:
Second term:
The result of the examination part WPO, with a result of at least 10/20, can be transferred to the second term. The student who wishes to transfer the examination part of WPO must send an e-mail to the professors at the latest before the start of the second session. This rule also applies to the transfer of the WPO examination part to a subsequent academic year. This does not apply to the examination part of the written examination.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Criminology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Social Sciences: criminologische wetenschappen (90 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)