20809207Criminology
Course Information
Description
An introduction to the sociological study of crime. Explores the social construction of crime, as well as crime trends, patterns, and typologies. Provides an in-depth overview of key theoretical approaches used to study, understand, and explain crime and criminal behavior. Analyzes theories of punishment and crime reduction strategies. Challenges assumptions about crime and examines the systemic inequities that are embedded in, and perpetuated by, crime policies and the criminal justice system.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Explore the social construction and categorization of crime, deviance, and criminality
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Differentiate between various categories of crime and deviance
    Explain how crime, deviance, and criminality are socially constructed
    Examine how constructions of crime and deviance can vary across time, place, and groups
    Explore the implications of social constructions of crime, deviance, and criminality
    Identify ways that power and privilege influence social constructions of crime, deviance, and criminality

  2. Evaluate methods of criminological research and sources of crime statistics
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Compare various methods of criminological research and data collection
    Identify the strengths and limitations of various methods of criminological research and data collection
    Trace changes in how crime and victimization data have been collected over time
    Consider the utility of different sources of crime and victimization data
    Explain how data collection methods impact crime and victimization statistics
    Describe the ethical concerns in criminological research and data collection, especially with regards to marginalized populations

  3. Explore various crime typologies
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Differentiate between various categories of crime
    Identify characteristics of different crime typologies
    Identify examples of different crime typologies
    Explore the social construction of crime typologies
    Compare perceptions, measurement, and enforcement of various crime typologies

  4. Analyze patterns in crime, criminal offending, and victimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Describe patterns in crime, criminal offending, and victimization
    Differentiate between types of crime patterns
    Explain what correlates of crime are, and what they are not
    Trace changes in crime and victimization trends over time
    Explore structural factors that impact crime and victimization trends
    Evaluate explanations for crime and victimization trends
    Evaluate public assumptions and perceptions about crime and victimization trends
    Identify factors that impact our knowledge of patterns in crime and victimization

  5. Evaluate early theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Identify early theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Explain the central ideas of early theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Compare early theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Use early criminological theories to explain patterns in crime and victimization
    Identify strengths and limitations of early criminological theories
    Evaluate the utility of early criminological theories for analyzing various types of crime and deviance
    Identify the policy implications of early criminological theories
    Appraise the policy implications of early criminological theories

  6. Evaluate the major theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Identify the major theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Explain the central ideas of the major theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Compare the major theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Use the major criminological theories to explain patterns in crime and victimization
    Identify strengths and limitations of the major criminological theories
    Evaluate the utility of the major criminological theories for analyzing various types of crime and deviance
    Identify the policy implications of the major criminological theories
    Appraise the policy implications of the major criminological theories

  7. Evaluate contemporary theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Identify contemporary theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Explain the central ideas of contemporary theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Compare contemporary theoretical approaches used to analyze crime and deviance
    Use contemporary criminological theories to explain patterns in crime and victimization
    Identify strengths and limitations of contemporary criminological theories
    Evaluate the utility of contemporary perspectives for analyzing various types of crime and deviance
    Identify the policy implications of contemporary criminological theories
    Appraise the policy implications of contemporary criminological theories

  8. Examine theories of punishment and responses to crime
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Compare common theories of punishment and responses to crime
    Explore strengths and limitations of different responses to crime
    Analyze the societal consequences of different responses to crime
    Identify how different responses to crime impact individuals, families, communities, and society
    Explore factors that impact punishment policies and responses to crime
    Use criminological theories to evaluate punishment polices and responses to crime
    Examine the historical relationship between racial oppression and punitive policies in the United States

  9. Analyze how systems of advantage/disadvantage are connected to crime policies and the criminal justice system
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Explore how systems of advantage and disadvantage influence crime statistics and trends
    Examine how systems of advantage and disadvantage influence crime policies and responses to crime
    Provide examples of systemic inequities in the criminal justice system
    Explore possible solutions to structural inequalities in the criminal justice system
    Identify how systems of advantage and disadvantage are reflected in criminological theories
    Examine how crime policies perpetuate systems of advantage and disadvantage

  10. Analyze crime policies and reduction strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Test, Written Product, Reflection, Project and/or Presentation
    Criteria
    Identify current crime policies and reduction strategies
    Use criminological theories to evaluate current crime policies and reduction strategies
    Examine strengths and limitations of current crime policies and reduction strategies
    Identify how crime reduction strategies impact individuals, families, communities, and society
    Use existing data and research to evaluate current crime policies and reduction strategies
    Ascertain areas for improvement in current crime control policies and programs
    Explore strategies for reducing crime and deviance
    Evaluate public assumptions and perceptions about crime policies and reduction strategies