May 07, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CRIM 105 - Introduction to Criminology


PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing  and ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College , or ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing , or ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading & Writing  
PROGRAM: Criminal Justice
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 3
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2016

Critically examines the history and nature of the major theoretical perspectives in criminology, and the theories found within those perspectives. Analyzes the research support for such theories and perspectives, and the connections between theory and criminal justice system practice within all the major components of the criminal justice system. Demonstrates the application of specific theories to explain violent and non-violent criminal behavior on both the micro and macro levels of analysis.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

  1. Identify the major theoretical perspectives in criminology and understand their ideological basis.
  2. Evaluate the connection between ideology, theory, and practice in the criminal justice system.
  3. Discuss the role of criminological research within the broader context of social, political, and economic inequality in America.
  4. Apply a specific criminological theory to explain a celebrated crime.
  5. Discuss the effects of criminological theories on best practices in corrections and sentencing.
  6. Critique the various rationales for punishment.
  7. Discuss the policy implications of criminological theories on crime reduction consistent with available research.


COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -  

  • Positivism and the definition of crime
  • Social constructionism and the definition of crime
  • Constitutive criminology
  • Patterns of crime in the United States
  • The economic consequences of crime
  • Crimes against persons
  • Crimes against property
  • White-collar and organized crime
  • Political crime
  • Drug abuse and crime
  • Technology and crime
  • Crime and the media
  • Future directions in critical criminology

 
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)