Course

Written product, exam

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

Written report, exam

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

Written product, exam

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.

Written Response to Scenario, Exam

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

Written product (paper), exam

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

Written product (paper), exam

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

Written product (paper), exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam

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

Written product, exam, project

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

Written product, group project, exam

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

Written product, exam, group project

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