I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 1/27/11)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
X
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Sociology
Course #
211
Course Title
Prerequisite
Introduction to Criminology
none
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
3
Date
Instructor
Daniel P. Doyle
Phone / Email X5912 / dan.doyle@umontana.edu
Program Chair James Burfeind
Dean
Christopher Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew X
Change
Remove
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
Students are very interested in the phenomenon of crime and often believe that they know a lot
about it. Yet there is much misinformation out there. In order to be informed and engaged
citizens, it is important that students have a basic understanding of crime and its causes and
have the tools to evaluate explanations of crime that are a significant part of our culture.
The purpose of this introductory course is to examine the nature and causes of crime and
delinquency. Both formal theories and informal explanations of crime are presented, discussed,
and assessed. The course also examines the extent, distribution, correlates, and measurement of
crime. Students should leave this course with a basic understanding of crime and the various
explanations of crime and delinquency.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1. systematically study individuals, groups, or
This course systematically studies criminals
social institutions;
and subgroups within the criminal
population. It examines how they become
defined as criminals and how criminals differ
from non-criminals. The role of major social
institutions in generating criminality is
discussed.
2. analyze individuals, groups, or social
This course analyzes criminals and crime
problems and structures; and/or
and related social problems. It analyzes how
crime is related to various aspects of the
social structure (e.g.: inequality, racism,
poverty, family dynamics, etc.).
3. give considerable attention to ways in which This course includes a section on how crime
conclusions and generalizations are developed
is measured and how explanations of crime
and justified as well as the methods of data
are analyzed and assessed. The different
collection and analysis.
methods of measuring crime are critiqued.
For each explanation of crime presented,
students learn how to examine its underlying
assumptions, to evaluate the empirical
evidence regarding that explanation, and
understand its policy implications.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1. Describe the nature, structure, and historical
This course includes an introductory section
development of human behavior, organizations, focusing on the nature of crime and criminal
social phenomena, and/or relationships;
behavior.
2. use theory in explaining these individual,
Over three quarters of the course is
group, or social phenomena; and/or
dedicated to examining genetic, biological,
psychological, sociological, and social
structural theories of crime.
3. understand, assess, and evaluate how
For each explanation of crime presented,
conclusions and generalizations are justified
students learn how to examine its
based on data.
underlying assumptions, to evaluate the
empirical evidence regarding that
explanation, and understand its policy
implications.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
This course is a 200-level course and no longer has any pre-requisites.
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
See attached syllabus.
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.