NCJ Number
63976
Journal
Kriminologisches Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 143-156
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE LACK OF CRIMINOLOGICAL TRAINING FOR WEST GERMAN LAW STUDENTS IS CRITICIZED, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVED CRIMINOLOGICAL COURSES ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
UNTIL THE LAST DECADE, CRIMINOLOGY APPEARED AS AN EXOTIC SUBJECT RARELY STUDIED BY LAW STUDENTS AND USUALLY TAUGHT BY POORLY QUALIFIED LEGAL PROFESSORS. THEN THE FIRST CRIMINOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS WERE ESTABLISHED IN HEIDELBERG AND TUEBINGEN, AND, IN 1969, THE WEST GERMAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED CRIMINOLOGY AS AN ELECTIVE IN THE LEGAL CURRICULUM. ALTHOUGH STUDENT INTEREST WAS VIVID AT FIRST, ENROLLMENT IN CRIMINOLOGICAL COURSES SOON SANK TO A MERE 20 PERCENT OF THE LEGAL STUDENTS. A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THE REASON FOR THE SUDDEN DROP IN INTEREST: THE CRIMINOLOGICAL COURSES REQUIRED FAR GREATER STUDY EFFORTS THAN THE LEGAL ELECTIVES, AND AS A RESULT, LAW STUDENTS ELECTING CRIMINOLOGY HAD SCORED SUBSTANTIALLY WORSE ON FINAL EXAMS THAN THE REST OF THE STUDENT POPULATION. IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDY OF THIS ESSENTIAL SUBJECT, THE FOLLOWING STEPS MIGHT BE TAKEN: (1) STRICTLY LIMIT AND STANDARDIZE THE SUBJECT MATTER TAUGHT IN CRIMINOLOGICAL COURSES, (2) OFFER A CHOICE OF TOPICS IN THE CRIMINOLOGICAL ESSAY EXAM, OR (3) MAKE CRIMINOLOGY AN OBLIGATORY SUBJECT FOR LAW STUDENTS. SINCE 1970 A FAR BETTER CONCEPT OF INTEGRATING CRIMINOLOGY INTO THE LEGAL CURRICULUM EXISTS IN THE FORM OF AN ALTERNATIVE COURSE OF LEGAL STUDIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIOLOGY AND APPLIED LAW; YET THE PRACTICAL REALIZATION OF THE PROJECT IS STILL UNSATISFACTORY. THE MAJORITY OF JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS HAVE LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF CRIMINOLOGY. FURTHERMORE, THE FEW CRIMINOLOGICAL EXPERTS IN THE COURTS SOON BECOME FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF COOPERATION AND MOVE INTO OTHER CAREERS. THE ARTICLE PROVIDES EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)