SOC 325 Criminology

This course introduces the field of criminology. The course is designed to provide a broad understanding of the etiology of crime (i.e. what causes crime?) the measurement of crime and theories of criminal punishment. We will also discuss a wide range of criminal behaviors with a focus on violent crime and property crime (e.g. homicide sexual assault shoplifting white collar crime etc.). The final component of the course focuses on the American criminal justice system. This course emphasizes a sociological approach to understanding crime criminal behavior and criminal justice.