Introduction to Criminology

Required Text
To create a more actively engaging learning environment, we are pleased to announce the insertion of additional
learning resources into this class. These lecture notes, presentations, and additional material have been written,
prepared, and vetted by faculty who teach the class in order to enhance student learning and engagement with the
course.

Siegel, L.J. (2015). Criminology: The Core (5th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning

ISBN: 9781285068909
eBook option ISBN: 9781305848436

Course Description
This course examines the study of criminology by exploring the biological, psychological, sociological, and economic
theories of crime. The traditional theories of criminology are examined along with contemporary theories. Topics
covered are: what is criminology; patterns of crime; research methods and theory development; biological, psychological,
and sociological roots of crime; crimes against persons and property; white-collar and organized crime; drug abuse and
crime; technology and crime; criminology and social policy; and the future of criminology.

Course Objectives
Upon completing this course you will be able to:

Compare and contrast the differences between criminal justice and criminology
Describe the social dimensions of crime, comparative criminology, and how it is used to study crime and
criminals
Identify the role of research in the development of criminological studies
Summarize the major principles of the Classical and Positivist School of criminological thought
Recognize the contributions of sociobiology, psychology, and psychiatry to the study of crime
Describe typologies of violent crime
Explain the history of organized crime in the United States
Define cyber-crime and terrorism and the various methods of combating each
1.
Tentative Schedule
Read chapter 1 in our textbook
Week 1: Crime and Criminology Read written lecture: Introduction to
Criminology

Week 2: The Nature and Extent of Crime
Week 3: Victimization
Week 4: Deterrence and Rational Choice
Theory
Week 5: Socialization Theories
View slideshow lecture: Crime and
Criminology
Participate in the week 1 discussion:
Introduction and Criminal Justice vs.
Criminology
Complete the week 1 assignment: Crime and
Criminology
Complete the week 1 quiz
Read chapter 2 in our textbook
Read written lecture: Research in Criminology
View slideshow lecture: The Nature and Extent
of Crime
Participate in the week 2 discussion: Crime and
Victimization Trends
Complete the week 2 assignment: NVCS vs.
UCR
Complete the week 2 quiz
Read chapter 3 in our textbook
Read written lecture: Victims of Crime
View slideshow lecture: Victims and
Victimology
Participate in the week 3 discussion: Victims
and Victimization
Complete the week 3 assignment: Victim
Precipitation Theory
Complete the week 3 quiz
Read chapters 4, 5, and 9 in our textbook
Read written lecture: Rational Choice Theory,
Trait Theory, and Developmental Theories
View slideshow lecture: Rational Choice
Theory
View slideshow lecture: Trait Theory
View slideshow lecture: Development Theories:
Life Course, Propensity, and Trajectory
Participate in the week 4 discussion: Crime
Prevention Strategies
Complete the week 4 assignment: Deterrence
Complete the midterm exam
Read chapters 6, 7, and 8 from our textbook
Read written lecture: Social Theories of Crime
View slideshow lecture: Social Structure
Theory

Week 6: Violent Crime
Week 7: Economic and Public Order Crime
Week 8: Terrorism, Political Crime, and
Cyber Crime
Work must be submitted by 11:59 PM C.S.T. on the due date
View slideshow lecture: Social Process Theory
View slideshow lecture: Social Conflict, Critical
Criminology, and Restorative Justice
Participate in the week 5 discussion: American
Dream = Crime?
Complete the week 5 assignment: Social
Process Theories
Complete the week 5 quiz
Read chapter 10 from our textbook
Read written lecture: Crimes of Violence
View slideshow lecture: Violent Crime
Participate in the week 6 discussion: Violent
Crime
Complete the week 6 assignment: Violent
Crimes
Complete the week 6 quiz
Read chapters 12 and 13 from our textbook
Read written lecture: Economic and Public
Order Crimes
View slideshow lecture: Economic Crimes
View slideshow lecture: Public Order Crimes
Participate in the week 7 discussion: Public
Order Crimes
Complete the week 7 assignment: Economic
and Public Order Crime
Complete the week 7 quiz
Read chapters 11 and 14 from our textbook
Read written lecture: Political Crime, Terrorism,
and Cybercrime
View slideshow lecture: Political Crime and
Terrorism
View slideshow lecture: Crimes of the New
Millennium
Participate in the week 8 discussion: Organized
Crime
Complete the week 8 assignment: Types of
Political Crime
Complete the final exam
Grading Policy
Assignment Percentage
Discussions 30%
Assignments 40%
Quizzes 10%
Midterm 10%
Final 10%

Expected Student Workload

The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course. While the times in the
table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time management. If you have any questions or concerns, please
direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 2.4

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0

1 Readings 0.9

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 2.2

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0
2
Readings 1.1

Preparation Discussions 2.0

Assignments 6.0
 Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 2.1

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0

3 Readings 0.9

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 4.9

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 2.0

4 Readings 2.9

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 5.8

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0

5 Readings 3.3

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

 Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 2.0

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0

6 Readings 1.2

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 3.6

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 1.0

7 Readings 2.4

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 3.2

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 2.0

8 Readings 2.3

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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