Course Objective

(1) Students acquire knowledge of the theories and studies on the
spatial distribution of crime;
(2) Student are able to create (crime) maps using freeware GIS software
like QGIS as well as perform basic spatial criminological analyses with
CrimeStat.
(3) Students are able to interpret and discuss results from spatial
analyses.

Course Content

In this course the basic principles of Crime Mapping using a geographic
information system (GIS) and spatial analyses are taught.
Mapping where crime takes place is the first step of the analysis of
spatial distribution of crime. The relationship between theories and
methods of spatial analysis are discussed. For example, assuming that
the spatial distribution of crime is associated with the level of social
cohesion in a neighborhood.
How such a relationship can be studied from a environmental
criminological perspective and with what
spatial analysis methods is discussed in the course.
A number of different analytical methods are taught and practiced by
assignments during the labs and during the final research project on a
spatial crime problem.

Teaching Methods

As this course is mostly practice based (i.e. a lab course), attendance
is of importance.

Method of Assessment

To be announced

Entry Requirements

Bachelor criminologie, affiniteit met kwantitatieve analytische methoden

Literature

Literature is made available via Canvas.

Additional Information

This course requires you to bring your own laptop.
Windows laptops are preferred due to the software.

Custom Course Registration

For this course a maximum of 30 student may be registered. If the course is full no more places will be made available.

Recommended background knowledge

Students should have bachelor level knowledge of research methods and
quantitative statistical analyses.