Introduction to Criminology

Catalog description

In this course, students will examine the nature, extent, and causes of crime in the United States through the study of criminological theory and empirical research. They will analyze how crime is defined, measured, and interpreted, with attention to the strengths and limitations of major data sources and research methods. Students will explore crime trends, typologies, the development of criminological thought, and the influence of inequality, criminological research, and theory on justice outcomes, laws, and public policy. By the end of the course, they will critically evaluate research, interpret crime data, and apply theoretical frameworks to analyze the causes and consequences of crime in contemporary society.