Introduction to Criminology

This course is designed to provide an introductory understanding of the theories of crime and criminal behavior. In this class we will examine the relationship between crime and the “criminal” via a multi-disciplinary approach. Moreover, political, social, economic, biological, anthropological, psychological, and other factors believed to impact the phenomena of crime and criminal behavior will be covered. The lecture materials in this course will cover the major theoretical schools which include an overview of the theory, the major founders, the strengths and weakness of the theory, the types of criminal/delinquent behavior and crime the theory best explains, and its policy implications. This course is intended to be an interactive learning process; thus, the course assignments have been developed with the specific intent to provide you the opportunity to actively interact and participate in class discussion, demonstrate your knowledge level obtained from the lectures and materials, and to demonstrate your ability to apply theory to current criminal events, behaviors, and types of crimes.