SOC 3600 PBC

SOC 3600—Criminology

Three Semester Hours

TV 3/16

Prerequisites

University Requisites: SOC 2600—Criminal Justice

Course Overview

This course is a broad overview of the definition and measurement of crime, as well as the theoretical explanations and empirical issues that guide the study of criminal behaviors and criminal organization. We will cover the theoretical background for the construction of crime, social implications of crime, and victims of crime. In addition, we will cover the nature of criminal behavior, criminal organization, community response to crime, as well as explanations of prevention, treatment, and reform.

Methods of Course Instruction

All material for this course is print-based. Instructor and students communicate and exchange materials through postal mail. 

E-Print Option

In this course, an option exists to use e-mail to submit your lesson assignments. Your assignment will be returned to you either as an e-mail attachment or as a hard copy sent through the postal mail, depending on the preferences of the instructor and/or program. 

Textbooks and Supplies

Conklin, John E. Criminology. 11th ed. Pearson Education, Inc., 2013. [ISBN: 9780132764445]

Number of Lessons

The course has seven lessons, including one midcourse examination and one final examination. These lessons include:

• Lesson 1: What is Crime?
• Lesson 2: Social Correlates of Crime and Victimization
• Lesson 3: Criminological Theory
• Lesson 4: Midcourse Examination Information
• Lesson 5: Crime is My Day Job
• Lesson 6: Criminal Justice: Response and Reform
• Lesson 7: Final Examination Information

Types of Writing Assignments

Each lesson will ask you to draw on what you have learned from chapters in the Conklin text. You are expected to complete the lessons in the order listed in this course guide. Lessons list reading assignments and include a brief discussion of the chapter topics. In between the lessons, you will find five writing assignments that will challenge you to apply what you have learned in the textbook and course lessons.

Grading Standards

Your final grade will be determined by your performance on the five writing assignments and two exams detailed above. Each writing assignment is worth 20 points and each exam is worth 100 points. The total possible points for the course is 300 and breaks down as follows:

• Five writing assignments (x 20 pts.) = 100
• Midcourse Exam = 100
• Final Exam = 100