On this course you compare that method, and the data it produces, with insights from traditional forms of observation. In particular, you focus on behavior in criminal events under the auspices of expert lecturers from the NSCR.

Location:

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Graduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Social scientists rarely get to observe undisturbed human interaction “in the raw”. Most of what we know about human behaviour is based on retrospective and subjective accounts. Particularly studies of illegal or socially undesirable activities such as violent and criminal behaviour, suffer from this way of measuring because we know that these accounts are biased. However, recently with the advent of advanced recording technologies like high quality CCTV, real-world observations of undisturbed human behaviour have become accessible to social scientists. This method has the potential to revolutionize behavioural science by revealing how we act when we think no-one is watching.

On this course you compare that method, and the data it produces, with insights from traditional forms of observation. In particular, you focus on behavior in criminal events under the auspices of expert lecturers from the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). What makes an argument escalate into violence? What role do bystanders play? How do people respond to heated discussions in public space? What scenarios make robberies successful or unsuccessful? In addition to lectures on the theoretical underpinnings of interactional approaches to violence and crime, there is plenty of lab and field work. Your practical test bed is the city of Amsterdam, where you gather real observational data to answer a specific research question. You undertake the entire research cycle, from formulating a problem and hypothesis to collecting data, analysing it in an interactional framework and, finally, presenting your findings

Cost:

€1000 (excluding housing) EUR. Included in the tuition fee are: • Airport pick-up service • Orientation programme • Course excursions • On-site support • 24/7 emergency assistance • Transcript of records

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

The VU Amsterdam Summer School offers ten scholarships that cover the full tuition and housing fees of one course. Information about how to apply for the scholarship will be posted on the VU Amsterdam Summer School website.