Communities and Crime

Catalog description

Why do some neighborhoods have higher rates of crime than others? In addressing this question, this course will examine a range of criminological and sociological theories of crime, paying particular attention to the ecological, socio-structural, and cultural aspects of urban neighborhoods. The class will interrogate how community structure influences crime, how crime affects communities, and how communities and crime both shape, and are impacted by, public policy. Major topics will include: mass incarceration, policing and police community relationships, immigration and crime, and street violence. Prerequisite(s): declared criminal justice majors only; R CRJ 201 and R CRJ/A SOC 203, and junior or senior standing.