The term targeted violence refers to violence that is predatory, goal-directed, and focused on specific victims. Targeted violence research investigates the impact of multiple factors on offenders, including; prior violence, criminality, mental health, environments, and communities Rather than searching for causality in simple terms, targeted violence research analyses seek to explain for whom and under what circumstances targeted violence seems like a viable option.

This course provides students with an overview of scientific perspectives of targeted violence, and outlines how targeted violence research can apply criminology and behavioural science principles to help the detection, assessment, and management of targeted violence.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. source relevant research publications on targeted violence, and interpret that information correctly;
2. use theory and understandings to analyse targeted violence across multiple levels;
3. explain key theoretical and practical issues in countering targeted violence; and
4. demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and methodological issues involved in studying targeted violence as a concrete scientific subject.