Criminological Theory.

Catalog description

(SH Prior Course ID: CJ 737); Students analyze an in-depth overview of the major paradigms that seek to explain the causes of crime and deviant behavior. Special attention is given to the social, political, and intellectual contexts from which each theoretical perspective emerged. Students will engage with criminological theories through a philosophy of science lens, focusing on key issues such as theory construction, theoretical integration, formal evaluation, and contemporary theoretical developments. Emphasis is placed on cultivating the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to produce rigorous, theory-informed scholarship in criminology.