Course Objectives
This course examines major theoretical perspectives of crime and deviance. The course traces the development of criminology from the Enlightenment through the present, situating key criminological theories and research in their historical context. The course includes theoretical integration as they apply to theories of crime causation, and links between the theories and criminal justice policies. This helps students evaluate the application of criminological theories to into criminal justice policy formulations and the study of criminological problems.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding:
- CLO1: Understand nature and scope of criminology and criminological theories.
- CLO2: Understand methods of measuring crime and victimization.
- CLO3: Comprehend the logic and content of the major theories about the causes of crime.
- CLO4: Analyze various biological and social factors in the causation of crime.
- CLO5: Analyze the influence of differential association and family factors in criminogenic environments.
- CLO6: Evaluate the impact of social disorganization and labeling on crime and delinquency.
- CLO7: Examine the role of individual life style leading to criminal victimization.
- CLO8: Critically analyze the relationship between drugs and crime, and strategies in reducing drug abuse.
- CLO9: Contrast various types of economic crimes and problems in controlling white collar and corporate crimes.
- CLO10: Understand criminal career and the role of informal social control in preventing delinquency.
- CLO11: Apply criminological theories and research in formulating criminal justice policies.
- CLO12: Relate the links between theoretical criminology and criminal justice policies.
Syllabus & Lecture Details
| Lecture | Topics / Contents | CLOs |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Introduction to Criminology: Definition, nature, scope, application. Measuring Crime: statistics, crimes known to police, surveys, and victimization surveys. | CLO1, CLO2 |
| 3-4 | Biological Perspectives: Lombroso's Criminal Man, Bio-social theory. Deterrence & Rational Choice. Social Learning: Sutherland's differential association, Hirschi's social control/bonding. | CLO4, CLO5 |
| 5-6 | Social Disorganization & Collective Efficacy: Neighborhoods and Crime. Anomie & Strain: Merton's theory. Labeling and Shaming: Symbolic interactionism, Reintegrative shaming, Restorative justice. Social Conflict: Marxist perspective. | CLO6 |
| 7 | Assignment / Guided Activity | - |
| 8-9 | Lifestyle & Routine Activity: Cohen & Felson's theory. Feminist Theories: Gender, Power, and Crime. | CLO7 |
| 10 | Mid-term Examination | - |
| 11-12 | Drugs and Crime: Association between drug use and crime. Strategies for reducing drug related crime: Law enforcement approaches, drug trafficking, alternative treatments, and drug control policies of Bangladesh. | CLO8 |
| 13-14 | Economic Crime: Organizational criminality, white-collar and corporate crimes. Environmental Criminology: Preventing crime through Environmental Designs. | CLO9 |
| 15 | Presentation | - |
| 16-17 | Developmental and Life Course Theories: Criminal propensity vs criminal career, Sampson & Laub's Age-graded theory of informal social control. | CLO10 |
| 18 | Case Study Discussion | - |
| 19-20 | Applied Criminology: Research, policy, and practice. The impact of criminology on criminal justice policy. Prisons and penal policy: Overcrowding, community corrections, and procedural justice theory. | CLO11, CLO12 |
Quick Course Data
Credit points
4 Credits
Course Type
Compulsory
Guided Self-Study
22 Hours
Assessment & Evaluation
Class Attendance & Participation5%
Writing Assignments10%
Mid-Term Exam15%
Presentation10%
Final Exam60%
Recommended Readings
- Bernard, Thomas J., Jeffrey B. & Gerould, Alexander L. (2010) - Vold's Theoretical Criminology, Oxford University Press
- Francis T. Cullen & Robert Agnew (2003) - Criminological Theory, Past to Present: Essential Readings, 2nd Edition, Roxbury
- Philip Bean (2009) - Drugs and Crime, 3rd Edition, Willan Publishing
- Stout, Brian, Yates, Joe, & Williams, Brian (2008) - Applied Criminology, SAGE
- Williams III, Frank P. & McShane, Marylyn D. (2018) - Criminological Theory, Pearson