Tentative Course Schedule and Reading Assignments
The weekly coverage might change as it depends on the progress of the class. Any changes to this schedule will be announced in class and posted on Canvas.
Class 1 | Ch. 1 Ch. 2
Intro to Criminological Theory and Policy (Reading (R): Ch. 1 & 2, | Assignment (A) 1, Discussion (D) 1) ·
Understand the foundational concepts of criminological theory and its application to contemporary policy-making.
Class 2 | Ch. 3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5
Classical Criminology (R: Ch. 3, A2, D2)
Explore the principles of rational choice and deterrence as fundamental concepts in classical criminology. ·
Biological Theories & Psychological Theory (R: Ch. 4 &5, A3, D3) ·
Analyze how biological and psychological factors influence criminal behavior and contribute to criminological understanding.
Class 3 | Ch. 6 Ch. 7
Anomie and Strain Theory (R: Ch. 6 & 7, A4, D4)
Examine the impact of societal pressures and structural inequalities on deviant behavior through anomie and strain theories.
Class 4 | Ch. 8
Neighborhoods and Crime (R: Ch. 8, A5) ·
Investigate the relationship between neighborhood characteristics, social organization, and crime rates.
Class 5 | Ch. 9 Ch. 10
Learning Theories (R: Ch. 9, A6, D6) ·
Understand how criminal behavior is learned through interactions and environmental influences. ·
Control Theories (R: Ch. 10, A7, D7) ·
Evaluate the role of social bonds and self-control in preventing deviant behavior.
Class 6 | Ch. 11 Ch. 12
Conflict Criminology (R: Ch. 11 & 12, A8, D8) ·
Explore the influence of social inequality, power dynamics, and conflict on criminal behavior and justice policies.
Class 7 | Ch. 14
Developmental and Life-Course Theories (R: Ch. 14, A9, D9) ·
Assess how criminal behavior evolves over the lifespan and is influenced by life events and transitions.
Final Paper Due