METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
COURSE TITLE
CRIMINOLOGY
COURSE PREFIX AND NO.
SOCI 2310
LEC
4.5
LAB 0 CREDIT HOURS
4.5
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines crime and criminology from a broad social perspective. Topics covered include
definitions of crime, the various cases of criminal behavior and systems of criminal justice.
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COURSE PREREQUISITES:
SOCI 1010
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RATIONALE:
It is important that the law enforcement student and/or the student interested in the social sciences have a clear
understanding of the nature and manifestations of deviance. Criminology explores the applications of the
sociological theories of deviance to crime and the contemporary justice system.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and/or MATERIALS:
Title:
Criminology
Edition:
5th
Author:
Adler
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill
Materials:
Study guides, discussion questions, and selected handouts as distributed by the
instructors.
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Attached course outline written by:
Reviewed/Revised by:
Social Sciences Faculty
Ralph Grippin
Effective quarter of course outline:
Date:
8/96
Date: 5/2001
05/FA
Dean
Date:
M. Jane Franklin
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES
TITLE:
CRIMINOLOGY
PREFIX/NO.
SOCI 2310
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the successful completion of this course, each student will be able to:
1.
Relate the current definitions of crime.
2.
Review the crime data collection procedures related to crime, criminals, and victims, and discuss statistical
reporting practices on both the local and the national levels.
3.
Appraise the historical perspective on crime and punishment and explain the progression of the concept of
sanction from Biblical times to the 21st Century.
4.
Compare and contrast the classical and positivistic views of crime, criminals, and their behavior and
punishment.
5.
Demonstrate an awareness of the major biological, psychological, and sociological explanations of the
causes of criminal behavior.
6.
Explore the different types of crime as they are manifested in American society.
7.
Describe the current systems of criminal justice and assess proposals for change.
8.
Examine the existence of cultural bias and other multicultural issues as related to explaining and dealing
with deviance and crime.
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TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE:
I.
Nature and Historical Emergence of the Study of Criminology
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
Historical development of the field
Data collection procedures
Criminal patterns and characteristics
Victimizations studies
Theories of Crime/Causes of Crime
A.
B.
Classical criminology
Positivistic theories
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE: Continued
1.
2.
3.
III.
Patterns of Criminality
A.
B.
C.
D.
IV.
Biological and psychological theories
Sociological theories
Economic theories
Violent crime
Corporate and occupational crime
Victimless and organized crime
Political crime
The Criminal Justice System
A.
The courts
B.
The police
C.
Corrections
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UNIT OBJECTIVES
At the successful completion of the unit the student will be able to:
I.
Nature and Historical Emergence of the Study of Criminology
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
II.
Explain how criminologists employ a multi-disciplinary view of the concept of crime.
Review some of the dilemmas of conducting research about criminals and crime.
Compare the consensus, conflict and interactionist definitions of crime.
Distinguish between common law and statutory law.
Define and review the implications of the concept of "stare decisis."
Explain the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.
Distinguish between the three most common methods of collecting crime data.
Critique the validity and accuracy of official crime data and statistics.
List racial, age, sex, and economic characteristics of criminal offenders.
Report on patterns of victimization in the United States and discuss the concept of victimization risk.
Theories of Crime/Causes of Crime
A.
B.
C.
D.
Relate the basic principles of classical criminology.
List reasons for the re-emergence of classical theory.
Evaluate the arguments for desert-based punishment.
Compare and contrast classical and positivistic criminological theories.
UNIT OBJECTIVES: Continued
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
III.
Critique biological theories involving such concepts as evolution, body build, "born criminal-types,"
and family heredity.
Distinguish between neuroses and psychoses.
Identify the basic precepts in psychoanalytic theory and social learning theory.
Distinguish between the nature and nurture theories of intelligence and the tendency toward criminal
behavior.
List reasons why the sociological perspective is the predominant force in criminology.
Distinguish between cultural transmission and strain theories.
Identify ways that social theorists have applied the concept of anomie.
Describe the labeling processes and distinguish between primary and secondary deviance.
Appraise the influence of power on the justice system.
Summarize the criticisms leveled against the application of Marxist thought to the theories of
criminology.
Formulate a comparison of the impact of Durkheim, Marx, the Chicago School, and the
functionalists on criminology.
Patterns of Criminality
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
Discuss some of the presumed causes of violent behavior.
Review the pattern of criminal homicide.
Relate some of the legal problems involved in obtaining a rape conviction.
Explain the different types of robberies.
Describe the difference between a guerilla and a terrorist.
Illustrate what is meant by a subculture of violence.
Discuss the causes of economic crime.
Distinguish between larceny, embezzlement, and fraud.
List characteristics of the professional burglar.
Describe reasons why people engage in auto theft.
Discuss the motivations which guide the behavior of professional arsonists.
List several forms of white-collar (corporate) crime.
Recognize examples of corporate crime such as price-fixing, false advertising, and illegal restraint of
trade.
Discuss white-collar enforcement strategies.
Name the forms of prostitution.
Describe the activities of a pimp.
Discuss the legal definitions of obscenity.
Differentiate between the various forms of controlled and illegal drugs.
Assess the allegedly harmful and allegedly benign effects of viewing pornography.
UNIT OBJECTIVES: Continued
IV.
The Criminal Justice System
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
Name and describe the major agencies of the justice system.
List the individual steps in the criminal justice process.
Identify the leading legal cases which control justice system operations.
Show how the justice system serves the victim.
Trace the history of policing in England and America.
Differentiate the role of federal, state, country, and local law enforcement.
Describe the functions of local police.
Discuss some of the legal issues inherent in policing.
Evaluate the police use of deadly force.
Review some of the problems faced by women and minority police officers.
Discuss the concept of prosecutorial discretion and list factors which influence it.
Evaluate the pros and cons for plea bargaining.
Name the various steps in the trial process.
Define the various forms of sentencing used in the United States.
Discuss the social and economic factors which have influenced the development of the correctional
system.
P.
Discuss the concept of probation and some of its newest innovations.
Q.
Describe community-based treatment models.
R.
Explain the use of jails and their alternatives.
S.
Review the world of inmate culture and the inmate social code.
T.
Evaluate the pros and cons of parole.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
Upon the successful completion of the objectives of this course, the student will have moved from the knowledge
through the evaluation levels of cognition as related to criminology. Also, students are required to successfully
complete tests and out-of-class assignments as specified by the instructor in the course syllabus. Evaluation will be
based on tests, written work, attendance, and appropriate class participation.
CRIMINOLOGY – SOCI 2310
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
1.
Relate the current definitions of crime.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class,
outside of class, field), and/or application projects.
2.
Review the crime data collection procedures
related to crime, criminals, and victims, and
discuss statistical reporting practices on both
the local and the national levels.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or library tour, and/or
worksheet on sources of criminological information.
3.
Appraise the historical perspective on crime
and punishment and explain the progression
of the concept of sanction from Biblical
times to the 21st Century.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class,
outside of class, field) of media examples of
crimes/punishment, and/or field trip or tours of
various historical or modern correctional facilities.
4.
Compare and contrast the classical and
positivistic views of crime, criminals, and
punishment.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice) , and/or discussion, and/or
application projects..
5.
Demonstrate an awareness of the major
biological, psychological, and sociological
explanations of the causes of criminal
behavior.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or study questions related to
text materials.
6.
Explore the different types of crime as they
are manifested in American society.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or application project related
to crime in the U.S.
7.
Describe the current systems of criminal
justice and assess proposals for change.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class,
outside of class, field) and analysis of related media,
and/or application projects..
8.
Examine the existence of cultural bias and
other multicultural issues as related to
explaining and dealing with deviance and
crime.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home,
multiple choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class,
outside of class, field) and analysis of related media,
and/or application projects..