Introduction to Criminology is a comprehensive one-semester course. This course examines the fundamental theories and concepts related to crime, deviance, and the criminal justice system. You will learn about the key theories and concepts surrounding each. Throughout the course, you will investigate various criminological theories, analyze the societal factors influencing crime, and examine contemporary issues in the field. You will also evaluate crime prevention strategies and their effectiveness in different contexts.

Students will:

• Compare the classical and positivist schools of thought.
• Examine the ways in which social structures and labels affect criminal behavior.
• Assess how factors and theories, including the routine activity theory and the concept of anomie, influence criminal activity.
• Evaluate how prevention strategies address the primary social issues that contribute to criminal behavior.