Victimology in comparative criminal procedure WP-PRZ-mon-viccp
The aim of the course is to develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse victimisation and apply victimological knowledge to recognising risky situations and reducing the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime. Students will become familiar with fundamental victimological concepts and theories, as well as psychological mechanisms that offenders may exploit to manipulate others, particularly trust in authority, social norms, institutions, and interpersonal relationships.
The course focuses on scams encountered in everyday situations, including impersonation of police officers, maintenance workers, couriers, clergy, or sellers, as well as online fraud such as phishing, catfishing, romance scams, and advance-fee fraud. Students will learn to identify manipulation techniques, analyse individual and situational factors that may increase the risk of victimisation, and evaluate the effectiveness of selected crime-prevention measures.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) E-Learning
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Course coordinators
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Term 2023/24_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in the lecture focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of victimology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Self-study involving reading assigned texts and articles on victimology and cybercrimes.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting independent research on specific cybercrimes and creating reports on findings including prevention strategies.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Review and synthesis of course material in preparation for the final exam or assessment to validate the comprehension and application of the course content.
| Term 2024/25_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in the lecture focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of victimology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Self-study involving reading assigned texts and articles on victimology and cybercrimes.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting independent research on specific cybercrimes and creating reports on findings including prevention strategies.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Review and synthesis of course material in preparation for the final exam or assessment to validate the comprehension and application of the course content.
| Term 2025/26_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in the lecture focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of victimology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Self-study involving reading assigned texts and articles on victimology and cybercrimes.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting independent research on specific cybercrimes and creating reports on findings including prevention strategies.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Review and synthesis of course material in preparation for the final exam or assessment to validate the comprehension and application of the course content.
| Term 2026/27_Z: Class participation (15h) – 0.5 ECTS
Independent work: reading, case studies, preparation for discussion, and review of material (75h) – 2.5 ECTS
Preparation of the final presentation (20h) – 1 ECTS |
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Term 2023/24_Z: optional with limited choices | Term 2024/25_Z: obligatory | Term 2025/26_Z: obligatory | Term 2026/27_Z: obligatory |
Preliminary Requirements
Learning outcomes
W01 — The student explains in English fundamental victimological concepts and theories, as well as the psychological mechanisms offenders use to manipulate potential victims, including in cyberspace.
W02 — The student describes in English individual, social, and situational factors associated with the risk of victimisation, as well as the fundamental rights of crime victims and the responsibilities of actors involved in protecting them.
U01 — The student identifies and analyses in English selected scams occurring in everyday life and cyberspace, recognising offenders’ manipulation techniques and situational factors that may increase the risk of victimisation.
U02 — The student assesses in English the risk of victimisation in given scenarios and formulates well-supported proposals for reducing that risk.
K01 — The student justifies in English their position on the effectiveness and limitations of selected victimisation-prevention measures, critically evaluating available information and avoiding stereotypes and victim-blaming.
Assessment criteria
Assessment takes into account the extent to which the student achieves learning outcomes W01, W02, U01, U02, and K01. The criteria include the accurate use of victimological concepts and theories (W01), understanding of risk factors and victims’ rights (W02), identification and analysis of fraud mechanisms (U01), the quality of risk assessment and proposed preventive measures (U02), and the quality of critical argumentation, including the avoidance of stereotypes and victim-blaming (K01). All criteria also take into account the student’s ability to present their analysis clearly and accurately in English.
Grade 3.0 (satisfactory): The student demonstrates basic knowledge of victimological concepts and theories (W01), identifies at least one relevant risk factor or aspect of victims’ rights protection (W02), recognises basic fraud techniques (U01), and proposes at least one measure to reduce risk (U02). The student states a position in English, although the argument may be partly incomplete and the analysis may contain oversimplifications (K01).
Grade 4.0 (good): The student accurately explains relevant victimological concepts and manipulation mechanisms (W01), correctly describes risk factors and issues concerning victim protection (W02), analyses techniques used by offenders (U01), and proposes appropriate and justified preventive measures (U02). The student presents a logical argument in English, evaluates information critically, and avoids unjustified generalisations (K01).
Grade 5.0 (very good): The student independently and thoroughly applies victimological concepts to the analysis of the problem (W01), recognises the complexity of individual, social, and situational factors as well as legal aspects of victim protection (W02), critically analyses manipulation mechanisms and possible victimisation scenarios (U01), and proposes well-justified, realistic, and appropriately differentiated risk-reduction strategies (U02). The student presents a convincing and precise argument in English, acknowledges the limitations of available information, and avoids stereotype-based conclusions (K01).
Grades 3.5 and 4.5 are awarded when the student’s performance falls between the levels described above.
Components of the final grade
Attendance (10%): Regular attendance at classes.
Participation and teamwork (10%): Ongoing assessment throughout the semester of the student’s willingness to take on roles in group work, substantive contribution to the analysis of everyday case studies, and participation in discussions.
Final assessment presentation (80%): An individual problem-based task assessing knowledge and skills, completed in English in one of two alternative formats chosen by the student.
Bibliography
The lecturer provides participants with a digital copy of the textbook (e-book):
1. W. Petherick, G. Sinnamon - The Psychology of Criminal and Antisocial Behavior: Victim and Offenders Perspectives, Elsevier 2017
2. L. E. Daigle – Victimology. The Essentials, SAGE 2017
All teaching materials are made available to participants in the Files section of the dedicated team on MS Teams.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: