CRIM - Criminology

Course Descriptions

 

CRIM 1050 Introduction to Criminology (3)

This course provides an introduction to the study of crime and criminality. We will discuss how crime is defined, its existence and distribution over different types of societies, the different methods to measure the extent and nature of crime, major theories of crime causation, characteristics of particular types of criminal conduct, and approaches to crime control. GCP Coding: (SSHB) (WCOM).

CRIM 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) 

This course will provide a survey of the criminal justice system. While the primary focus will center on the system within the United States, some material will examine international trends and justice systems in other countries. Course material will focus on identifying the roles of law enforcement, legal, and corrections institutions as well as providing an overview of the juvenile justice system and victim assistance programs. Emphasis will be placed on the historical development of these institutions, their roles in the criminal justice process, and current issues facing the system. Students will engage in critical analysis of how criminal justice policies and the functioning of the criminal justice system impacts the lives within the system, criminal offenders, and the general public. GCP Coding: (SSHB) (OCOM).

CRIM 1800 Careers in Criminology and Crime Prevention (1)

Provides students with career information for the subfields of criminology such as national and international security, business, government, the military, the criminal justice system, or law. Students are given guidance on how to search for and apply to graduate programs and internships, create personal statements, develop a résumé, and find jobs within the field of criminology.

CRIM 2000 Issues in Criminology (3)

Introductory level course designed to provide a brief, intensive overview of specific areas of contemporary criminology. Uses a number of approaches to explore how criminology principles are applied to a specific topic or area of interest. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 2250 Introduction to Crime Control Systems (3)

A survey of current theory and practices of the various institutions (police, courts, corrections) that constitute the foundation of the criminal justice system, including an examination of the problems and adequacy of the system, and a comparison to international crime systems.

CRIM 2300 Deviance and Social Control (3)

This course examines how societies and social groups come to define some behaviors and social conditions as deviant; patterns and explanations of social deviance; and how societies and groups respond to social deviance. GCP Coding: (SSHB) (CRI).

CRIM 2380 White Collar Crime (3)

White-collar crime generally involves the use of a violator's position of significant power, influence, or trust in the "legitimate" order for the purpose of illegal gain. The prosecution and defense of white-collar crime differ significantly from the prosecution and defense of street crime at every point - including investigation, litigation, and consequences. This course is the study of contemporary forms of white-collar crime and its explanations, theories, and accounts along with its investigation, adjudication, and regulation.

CRIM 2450 Victimology (3)

Takes a scientific approach to the study of victimization, including the relationship between the victims and the offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system, and the connections between victims and other societal groups and institutions such as the media, businesses, and social movements.

CRIM 3000 Topics in Criminology (3)

In-depth study of a specific area or issue in criminology. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 3100 Crime and Media (3)

This course uses films as a medium for studying crime and culture. Students will analyze how cultural norms, values, and beliefs related to crime, criminals, and criminal justice and the ways these norms, values, and beliefs are important to the academic inquiry of law-making, law-breaking, and law-enforcement (i.e. criminology). 

CRIM 3250 Police and Policing (3)

Explores the institution of modern policing from a social scientific perspective, including the history and development of social control agencies and the role of social control agents in society. Examines modern trends in policing such as unionization, Constitutional rights, policing practices and techniques, and the organization of modern police departments.

CRIM 3300 Theories of Crime and Justice (3)

This course reviews key principles of major criminological theories and evaluates the empirical evidence for each theory. This course allows students to critically analyze multiple theoretical perspectives and evaluate the strengths and limitations of each perspective. Prerequisite: CRIM 1100, CRIM 1050, CRIM 2300 or ANSO 1000. 

CRIM 3350 Gangs (3)

This course focuses on how groups like gangs become deviant and engage in collective criminal activity. We examine socialization and family dynamics as reasons for gang joining, as well as structural, ecological, and neighborhood characteristics. We also investigate gang characteristics, such as organization, hierarchy, money-making endeavors, gender composition, sexual activity, and social media use. This course pays particular attention to race, adolescence, gender, and street gang membership nationally, internationally, and trans-nationally. Prerequisite: CRIM 1100, CRIM 1050 or ANSO 1000. 

CRIM 3380 Transnational Crime (3)

The primary purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth look at several pressing issue related to transnational criminal behavior and how nations, NGOs, and private corporations are involved in both facilitating and preventing it. Topics for discussion include: international trafficking of people, arms, and drugs; money laundering; syndicated or organized crime; terrorism; the illicit trade in counterfeit goods; intellectual and digital theft; and cybercrime. Prerequisite: ANSO 1000, CRIM 1050 or CRIM 1100. 

CRIM 3400 Gender, Crime, and Law (3)

This course takes an interdisciplinary lens to analyze the role that gender plays in crime, the law, and the criminal justice system. This course analyzes gendered experiences with the criminal justice system, for offenders, victims, and criminal justice professionals; the role of gender in the lives of male victims, offenders, and criminality will also be analyzed. The course will analyze gender and social control incorporating both traditional and feminist theoretical accounts of conformity, deviance, and crime. 

CRIM 3450 Law and Society (3)

This course emphasizes a sociological approach to understanding the law. Instead of learning about the "law on the books," or specific legal codes and how to apply them, we will focus on "law in action." We will address how social factors, such as race, class, and gender, shape the law and how people from different social backgrounds have varying experiences with the law. We will also address how the law both affects and is affected by social change. 

CRIM 3500 Criminal Procedure and the Constitution (3)

This course examines the relationship between the US Constitution and criminal law. Particular attention is paid the role the Constitution plays in routine police activity such as traffic stops and the search of suspects. Additionally we examine how Constitutional Laws affect such areas as the gathering of evidence, pre-trail preparations, the rights of the accused, and the punishments available to the criminal justice system. Students will gain a firm foundation in how Constitutional principles undergird modern law enforcement, legal, and corrections paradigms.

CRIM 3610 Independent Reading Course (1-5)

Designed for individual student exploration of a given body of knowledge or a specific area of interest. Selected topics agreed upon between student and a member of the department faculty. Topic of the course, detailed learning outcomes, and means of evaluation to be negotiated between student and faculty member. Intended for criminology majors. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 3750 Geography of Crime (3)

This course focuses on the social processes underlying crime patterns. Students will be exposed to a wide range of issues examined by geographers, criminologists, and sociologists, including spatial variations in urban violence, victimization, offending, law enforcement, punishment, and incarceration. This course is also designed to teach elementary skills and techniques of geographic information systems (GIS), including analyzing and designing maps. 

CRIM 3875 Criminology Lab (1-3)

Lab is designed to complement a 3000-level course, allowing the instructor and student to work collaboratively toward development of a course-related project. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 4000 Advanced Studies in Criminology (3)

An advanced, in-depth analysis of a specific area or issue in a Criminology topic, leading to an independent research project. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 4250 Corrections and Prisons (3)

This course will present basic theoretical constructs about the correctional experience and reentry, with special emphasis on evidence-based practices. This course explores historical and emerging developments in the correctional field, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of correctional systems and the social environment within correctional institutions. Prerequisite: CRIM 1100, CRIM 1050 or ANSO 1000. 

CRIM 4300 Political Crime (3)

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth look at political crime. This course will address both oppositional crime against the state (such as terrorism, hate crimes, espionage, and civil disobedience) as well as crimes committed by state actors (such as corruption, political repression, and genocide), both violent and non-violent forms of political crimes, and domestic and international crimes. This course centers sociological and criminological methods and analysis as we investigate political crimes. We will also investigate several policy solutions to both state crimes and oppositional crimes. Prerequisite: ANSO 1000, CRIM 1100, CRIM 1050 or CRIM 2300.  

CRIM 4610 Independent Reading Course (1-5)

Designed for individual student exploration of a given body of knowledge or a specific ares of interest. Selected topics agreed upon between student and a member of the departmental faculty. Topic of the course, detailed learning outcomes, and means of evaluation to be negotiated between student and faculty member. Intended for majors. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 4800 Criminology Internship (3)

Students engage in service-learning work at a community agency and have an opportunity to experience agency operations firsthand. A variety of field placements are available, depending on the student's background and interests. Students are responsible for securing their own placement before the semester begins and are expected to spend time at their placement every week of the regular semester and must complete at a minimum 80 hours at the site. Classroom components will include discussion of placement experiences or issues and the skills and ethics of criminal justice work. Prerequisites: CRIM 1100 or CRIM 1050, or ANSO 1000, junior standing, permission of the instructor. 

CRIM 4875 Advanced Criminology Lab (1-3)

Lab is designed to complement a 4000-level course, allowing the instructor and student to work collaboratively toward the development of a course related project. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

CRIM 4900 Senior Capstone in Criminology (3)

This course provides a culminating experience for criminology majors, allowing students to synthesize and apply criminological knowledge in preparation for a career. Students will use their criminology skills and knowledge to become familiar with the research, theories, and methods associated with an area of personal interest. Prerequisite: CRIM 1100 or CRIM 1050, CRIM 3300 and ANSO 2850 or PSYC 2825.