Teaching Criminology and Police Science for Postgraduate Students at the Ruhr- University Bochum, Germany

Abstract

This case study looks at the postgraduate program inCriminology and Police Science at the Ruhr- UniversityBochum, Germany. This practice oriented course of study is designed as a distance learning course (blended learning)and therefore focuses on techniques of e-learning. Thecase study describes the history of origins and examinesthe educational situation before this master’s program was established and how an idea became reality. It is one ofthe very few possibilities in Germany to receive a deeper insight into criminology and police science. Despite the fact, that the students are all professionals and thus working mostly full time, the technical premises make a discourse possible as in on-campus programs. These innovative forms of learning are the focal point of the following case study. It is our aim to provide insight into how a master’s program could be set up and to promote new concepts of e-learning in the field of criminology.