Catalog Course Description

Students discuss the nature and extent of crime, past and present theories of crime causation, criminal behavior in American society and its relation to personal and cultural conditions.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain what criminology is.
2. Explain the difference between criminology and criminal justice and explain the relationship between the two.
3. Distinguish the different models used for research in criminology.
4. Explain the major sources and origins of criminal law.
5. Give a legal definition of crime.
6. Identify the various sources of crime statistics used in the United States.
7. Describe the factors relating to victimization and the role of ecological, household and victim demographic characteristics.
8. Explain the difference between classical criminology and positive criminology.
9. Compare and contrast biosocial and psychological theories of crime causation.
10. Explain the link between intelligence and crime.
11. Discuss the three branches of social structure theory.
12. Identify the major social process theories.
13. Explain the basic elements of social conflict theory.
14. Identify characteristics of serial killers and mass murderers and explain the differences.