10504143Criminology for Law Enforcement
Course Information
Description
Examines the nature, extent, and causes of crime. Analyze the various concepts of crime, law, criminology, theories of crime causation, crime typologies, and social policy initiatives to reduce crime.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Differentiate between criminology (the study of criminal behavior) and criminal justice
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Explain the various concepts within criminology (crime, criminal, deviant, victim)
    Recognize the differences between criminal and deviant acts
    Explain crime using a legalistic approach
    Describe the terms mala in se and mala prohibita
    Explore the use of the scientific method to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
    Define deviance in relationship to illegal acts, immorality, and violation of social norms
    Analyze the consensus and conflict perspectives of crime
    Describe how the structure and organization of the criminal justice system is designed to include law enforcement, the courts, and corrections
    Identify the five characteristics of a good theory
    Apply key features of various theories to crime and how they impact policy
    Identify key concepts associated with victimology, including victim impact statements

  2. Analyze data-collection programs and sources of crime data
    Assessment Strategies
    Written report, exam
    Criteria
    Identify key features and limitations of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
    Compare data from Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), NCVS, and NIBRS
    Interpret different types of self-report surveys
    Identify data-collection methods for specific populations
    Describe the limitations of using only law enforcement statistics

  3. Explore the factors involved in offenders’ decision-making when committing a crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Examine the natural capability of humans to make decisions based on expected costs and benefits (deterrence theory)
    Describe the concept of rational choice
    Apply the concept of free will and individual decision-making to crime (Classical School) to U.S. policies on punishment for criminal activity
    Relate Classical School theories to understanding human nature
    Describe the influence of Classical School on the criminal justice system in the U.S.

  4. Relate contemporary theoretical models of deterrence to understanding criminal behavior and victimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Response to Scenario, Exam
    Criteria
    Explain the capability of humans to act due to their perception of benefit and risk
    Describe how comparisons of jurisdictions contributed to a new focus on deterrence
    Relate rational choice theory to the understanding of human nature
    Describe routine activities theory and “hot spots”
    Explain how three key elements (a motivated offender, suitable targets, and lack of guardianship) converge to create opportunities for crime
    Apply the concept of humans as rational beings with free will who weigh possible risks and potential payoffs to criminal actions
    Apply the lifestyles perspective to a crime scenario

  5. Relate biology theory models to understanding criminal behavior and victimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product (paper), exam
    Criteria
    Summarize the effect of Darwin’s theory on the early positive perspectives
    Characterize the components of the eugenics movement and its relationship to crime
    Investigate the influence of inheritance and genetics in predisposing individuals to criminal activity
    Identify biochemical conditions that have been associated with crime
    Identify elements of personality that have been associated with crime
    Examine if or how IQ and minor physical anomalies correlate to criminality and the controversy surrounding this association
    Examine if or how body type theory and temperament/personality correlate to criminality and the controversy surrounding this association
    Outline criticisms of biology theory models and positivism perspectives

  6. Relate modern biosocial models to understanding criminal behavior and victimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product (paper), exam
    Criteria
    Examine the influence of biology vs. environment (nature vs. nurture)
    Examine the relationship of randomly occurring chromosomal mutations to the prediction of criminality
    Examine the role of family and twin studies in the prediction of criminality
    Examine the impact of genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters on criminality
    Correlate trauma to the temporal region of the brain to criminality
    Illustrate the role of the autonomic nervous system in making decisions related to illegal behavior
    Describe the interaction between physiology and the environment and the impact on human behavior
    Relate how diet, nutrition, and toxins interact with physiology to predict criminality

  7. Relate psychosocial/trait theories to understanding criminal behavior and victimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product (paper), exam
    Criteria
    Examine the influence of early psychological theories regarding criminal behavior
    Summarize fundamental assumptions of psychological theories of criminality (personality, mental processes, social groups and consensus)
    Describe policy implications associated with psychosocial explanations of criminal behavior

  8. Examine theories that emphasize inequitable social structure as the primary cause of crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Identify Emile Durkhiem's contributions to the evolution of social structure theories
    Differentiate between Robert K. Merton's conceptualization of "anomie" and Durkheim's conceptualization
    Examine the rise in popularity of Robert K. Merton's theory of strain
    Explain the variations of strain theory since Merton's original theory
    Describe Robert Agnew's model of general strain and its impact on Merton's original work
    Correlate various models of strain theory to the making of policies intended to reduce criminality
    Identify recent programs intended to help high-risk individuals develop better coping mechanisms

  9. Examine theories which propose that broken down social organizations in neighborhoods are unable to control deliquency and crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Examine ecological perspectives on city growth (Chicago School)
    Describe Shaw and McKay's theory of social disorganization
    Identify current examples of specific cultures or subcultures in the U.S. and how they relate to crime
    Evaluate criticisms of cultural theories of crime
    Evaluate policies that have come from the Chicago/social-disorganization theories of crime
    Identify intervention and outreach programs suggested by cultural and subcultural perspectives

  10. Examine how and why individuals learn criminal behavior (techniques, justifications, and underlying values)
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Distinguish between learning theories of crime and other perspectives/theories
    Define differential association theory
    Define differential reinforcement theory
    Investigate early models of social control theory (Nye, Reckless, Matza, and Hirschi)
    Summarize key features of integrated social control theories
    Summarize key features of low self-control theory and related personality traits
    Identify a common theme between learning and control theories (socialization, or lack thereof) as causing criminal behavior

  11. Analyze labeling theory and conflict/Marxist/Radical theories of crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Summarize the basic assumptions of labeling theory such as who has the power to define deviant behavior
    Evaluate criticisms of labeling theory
    Differentiate between conflict perspectives
    Evaluate criticisms of conflict perspectives
    Identify contributors and key features of alternative perspectives (peacemaking criminology, restorative justice perspective, left realism)
    Examine policies influenced by labeling and conflict theories of crime

  12. Describe feminist theories of crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Summarize key points in history related to feminism in the United States
    Describe key features of various feminist perspectives on gender
    Describe how tradition theories of crime perceived female offenders
    Identify key problems associated with traditional research methods and female involvement
    Describe main points of the liberation thesis
    Relate power-control theory to gender differences in delinquency rates
    Illustrate key features of feminist perspectives on understanding criminal behavior
    Locate key policies based on feminist theories of crime

  13. Analyze factors related to when individuals offend and why they do so at certain times in their lives
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam
    Criteria
    Differentiate between life-course theories and other theoretical perspectives
    Identify features of life-course/developmental perspectives (onset, frequency of offenses, duration of offending, seriousness of offenses, desistance of offending)
    Classify theoretical models as "antidevelopmental" in relationship to the developmental/life-course perspective
    Determine the impact of life events or transitions the alter an individual's trajectory in regard to criminal behavior
    Examine Samson and Laub's emphasis on transitions (marriage, military service, employment, etc.) that alter trajectories toward or away from crime
    Differentiate between life-course persistent offenders and adolescence-limited offenders
    Defend policies supporting early interventions

  14. Analyze white-collar crime, organized crime, and cybercrime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam, project
    Criteria
    Distinguish between white-collar crime and traditional forms of offending
    Examine criticisms of the criteria used to distinguish white-collar crime
    Summarize how corporate crimes impact society (physical and property damage, weakened moral fabric)
    Classify the types of white-collar crime
    Describe theoretical perspectives on white-collar crime
    Contrast white-collar crime with organized crime
    Identify legislation created to address cybercrime

  15. Analyze hate crimes, mass murder, terrorism, and homeland security
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, group project, exam
    Criteria
    Define hate crime
    Identify legislation in effect to address hate crimes
    Describe different forms and rates of multicide in the United States
    Differentiate between terrorist activities and conventional forms of criminal activities
    Summarize the origins, organizational structure, current state of homeland security
    Compare and contrast policy solutions addressing gun violence in the United States
    Examine categories of mass killers
    Describe the struggle to arrive at a common definition for terrorism
    Examine types of terrorism

  16. Relate the role of drugs to crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, exam, group project
    Criteria
    Identify commonly abused drugs
    Describe recent trends in substance abuse in the United States
    Explain the complicated links between drugs and crime
    Outline policies and programs aimed at reducing drug use
    Examine the effectiveness of substance abuse policies