Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: Criminology

INTRODUÇÃO À VITIMOLOGIA - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 6

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Gabriela Mesquita Borges
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutora Gabriela Mesquita Borges

Class type and School hours

Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas
Teórico-prática : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

i. Provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts of victimology, including the definition of victim and the historical evolution of victimology as a field of study.
ii. Develop a critical ability to analyze and contextualize the relationship between violence, crime and victimology.
iii. Promote understanding of the practical applications of victimology in the justice system, highlighting the role of forensic victimology, restorative justice and mediation.

Specific Aims/Objectives

i. Explain the definition of victim, Identify and analyze forms and processes of victimization.
ii. Trace the historical evolution of victimology.
iii. Compare positivist and radical approaches and the role of forensic victimology in the justice system, as well as discuss restorative justice and its impact on victims, and the role of security forces.

Skills to be acquired

i. Develop critical analysis skills on different types of violence and their implications for victims.
ii. Integrate victimological theories in the understanding and analysis of practical cases.
iii. Improve communication skills, both written and oral, to present arguments and analyzes on victimological topics.

Teaching Procedures

i. Expository Classes: For the introduction of fundamental concepts and historical contextualization.
ii. Case Studies: Analysis of real cases for practical application of theoretical concepts.
iii. Debates and Discussions: Debate sessions to encourage criticism and reflection on the topics covered.

Programme

THEMATIC 1: VIOLENCE, CRIME AND VITIMOLOGY
1.1. Framework: Victim and Victimology
1.2. Violence, Crime and victimology: Contextualizations
1.3. Victimization: Forms and processes

THEMATIC 2: HISTORY AND THEORIES
2.1. Historical perspective of victimology
2.2. Positivist and radical victimology
2.3. Future perspectives in victimology

THEMATIC 3: VITIMOLOGY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM
3.1. Forensic victimology
3.2. Victim, restorative justice and mediation
3.3. The victim and security forces

Evaluation Type

Two written tests and a final exam to assess understanding of theoretical and historical concepts.

Teaching Resources

i. Books and scientific articles on victimology, violence and justice.
ii. Documentaries, educational videos and PowerPoint presentations on related topics.
iii. Real case materials for analysis and discussion in the classroom.

Sustainability Objectives

Keywords

Victim; Violence; Crime; Responsibility; Culpability; Vulnerability.

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography