1
Date Approved:
Date Revised:
August 2013
August 2013
COURSE SYLLABUS
Syllabus for:
CRMJ/SOCI
2400
Introduction to Criminology
(Formerly SOC 2400 Introduction to Criminology and CJA 2400
Introduction to Criminology)
Discipline
Number
Course Name
Catalog Description: This course is a study of crime and criminal behavior. Topics examined include the
nature of crime, its measurement and forms, the social dimensions and correlates of crime, major theories of
criminal and delinquent behavior, and possible solutions to the crime problem.
Course Description: This is a course on the nature of criminal behavior and the major theoretical
perspectives that have been developed in an effort to explain why individuals break the law. As an
introduction to criminology, this course explores basic questions concerning human nature, human behavior,
deviance, criminality, the controversies concerning determinism and free will, personal and social
responsibility, and crime as deviant or normal behavior. This exploration includes: the study of major
theoretical explanations of deviance/criminality and how those explanations shape public policy, examination
of the research process and methodology used by criminologists to study crime, and the development of
critical thinking skills to assess the effectiveness of society’s responses to deviance and criminality through
an understanding of the various factors that may lead some individuals or groups toward criminality.
Comparative criminology, covering both national and international perspectives, is used to explore deviance
and criminality: in Western and non-Western cultures, among historically marginalized cultures in the U.S.,
and on a regional, national, and global scale.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Prerequisite(s): None
Required Text(s):
(1)
th
Criminology, 8 Ed., 2013, McGraw-Hill
Adler, Mueller, and Laufer. ISBN: 978-0-07-8024642-3
Title
Author(s)
Edition/Date
Publisher
Title
Author(s)
Edition/Date
Publisher
(2)
Required Supplies/Material(s): Note-taking materials
Recommended Supplementary Material(s): None
Academic Year 2013-2014
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Student Group for Whom Course is Required/Intended: Students following the Criminal Justice Associate
of Arts (A.A.) or Associates of Science (A.S.) Tennessee Transfer Pathway (TTP); students following the
Pre-Law area of emphasis; students aspiring to careers in law enforcement, the judicial system, and/or the
correctional system; and for those interested in the subject of criminal justice.
GOALS
GOALS: These should be broadly stated, measurable learner outcomes expected with the completion
of the course; use additional sheet(s) if necessary.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Students will gain a foundational understanding of the major theories used in the field of criminology.
Students will think critically about crime and criminality and evaluate competing theoretical perspectives.
Students will undergo a consideration of criminality and its nature and extent.
Students will evaluate and analyze societal reactions to deviance and criminality at the regional, national,
and international level.
5. Students will gain insight into crime prevention through the study of crime causation.
6. Students will gain insight into the global nature of deviance and criminality through the study of
comparative criminology.
OBJECTIVES: These should be specifically stated, measurable learner outcomes to be
met throughout the course; use additional sheet(s) if necessary.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain what is meant by the term “criminology” and describe what a criminologist does.
Describe the similarities and differences between deviance and criminality.
Differentiate between the consensus and conflict models of lawmaking.
Explain how criminological research findings affect public policymaking.
Outline the seven basic elements of crime, and the various excuses and justifications that may be used
as defenses.
6. Define the following: crime, tort, felony, misdemeanor, violation.
7. Define the various methods used in data collection in criminological research.
8. Discuss the various types of crime statistics and their strengths and limitations.
9. Discuss the various characteristics by which criminals are classified.
10. Define the term “classical criminology.”
11. Specifically outline the theories of Beccaria and Bentham.
12. Define the term “positivist criminology.”
13. Define the term “biological determinism.”
14. Outline the theories of the members of the “Italian School”: Lombroso, Garofalo, and Ferri.
15. Describe how Durkheim’s anomie theory has contributed to the study of criminology.
16. Explain how Freud’s psychoanalytic theory has impacted the field of criminology.
17. Describe how criminal motivation may be explained using moral development, attachment, social learning,
and personality theories.
18. Describe the characteristics of the criminal psychopath.
19. Discuss mental disorders and the insanity defense.
20. Outline the various studies within the field of biocriminology.
21. Describe Merton’s strain theory.
22. Discuss how strain theory has been revised by Agnew’s general strain theory.
23. Outline the three cultural deviance theories: social disorganization, differential association, and culture
conflict.
24. Describe subcultural theories.
25. Describe the basic premise of social control theories.
26. Describe the characteristics of labeling theory.
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27. Discuss the underlying premise for conflict theory.
28. Describe the premise of Marxist criminology.
29. Describe the public policy applications that have followed the theories studied, and discuss their efficacy.
30. Discuss the concept of situational crime prevention.
31. Discuss the advent of victim’s rights.
32. Discuss the subspecialty of comparative criminology, including the requirements for successful
comparative research.
33. Define/compare/contrast transnational and international crime.
SUGGESTED EVALUATION PLAN
TASK
WEIGHT
OBJECTIVES
Weekly current events assignments
30%
All
Homework Assignments
30%
All
Mid-term Examination
15%
1st half semester
Final Examination
25%
Comprehensive
FINAL GRADING PLAN
Based Upon Percentages
A = 94-100
B = 84-93
C = 72-83
D = 60-71
F = 0-59
Additional Comments:
1. All examinations are closed book.
2. Exams will contain material covered in text and in class lectures.
3. Exam format may contain any of the following: multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, listing, short
answer, definition, and essay.
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INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE
Week Objective(s)
I.
1
Content
Materials
Overview, student group discussion
Of criminal motivation
Chapter 1
II.
2,3
Deviance, conflict, consensus
Chapter 1
III.
4,5,6
Policy, elements, defenses
Chapters 1, 2
IV.
7,8
Research methods, statistics
Chapter 2
V.
9
Characteristics
Chapter 2
VI.
10-15
Pre-20th century criminology
Chapter 3
VII.
10-15
Pre-20th century criminology
Chapter 3
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
VIII.
16-19, 29
Psychology and criminality
Chapter 4
IX.
20,29
Biocriminology
Chapter 4
X.
15,21,22,29
Strain theory
Chapter 5
XI.
23,29
Cultural deviance theories
Chapter 5
XII.
24,29
Subcultural theories
Chapter 6
XIII.
25,29
Social Control
Chapter 7
XIV.
26-28,29
Labeling/Conflict/Radical theories
Chapter 8
XV.
30-33
Prevention/Victimology/Comparative
Chapters 9, 14
Criminology
XVI.
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FINAL EXAMINATION