CRIM-205: Criminology

Course Information

Course, prefix, number, & title: CRIM-205 Criminology

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): CRIM-101 and CRIM 106 for Criminal Justice Degree Program students. SOCY-101 for students who are not in the Criminal Justice Degree Program.

Course Description in college catalog:

An introduction to the study of crime. Focuses on theories and research concerning the nature, causes, treatment and prevention of crime. This course will satisfy the Social Sciences elective requirement for all QCC degree programs. 

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences

A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science)

Dual/Joint AS/BA Degree Program in Criminal Justice

1. Students will meet the requirements for transfer to their junior year of study in criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

2. Students will demonstrate competency in the core areas of the criminal justice major.

3. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in regard to issues in the field of criminal justice.

4. Students will use historical and social sciences perspectives to analyze and make judgments about issues in the field of criminal justice.

5. Students will differentiate and make informed decisions about issues in the field of criminal justice.

6. Students will communicate effectively about issues in the field of criminal justice as demonstrated by their reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

7. Students will integrate knowledge and skills in regard to issues in the field of criminal justice.

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

  1. Communicate effectively in various forms

  2. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

  3. Make ethical judgments while recognizing multiple perspectives, as appropriate in the program of study

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

1.  Students will demonstrate a knowledge of the core literature and debates that make up the   discipline of criminology.

Students will be expected to:

a.  show evidence of having read and understood the core literature and debates presented on the course, specifically those related to the socially constructed nature of crime and deviance, measurement, causes and key aspects of crime control policy.

2.  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the key components of  criminological theory and the ability to apply theory to specific contexts.

Students will be expected to:

a.  be familiar with the main thinkers and leading classical and contemporary theories of crime causation.

b.  show an understanding of how theory relates to definitions of crime, criminal behavior and policy.

3.  Students will demonstrate the ability to make reasoned and informed judgment on issues relating to crime and punishment

Students will be expected to:

a.  show the ability to question conventional wisdom about crime and punishment.

b.  show the ability to put debates on crime and punishment and policies relating to the control of crime in their wider social, historical, political and economic context

Program-specific outcomes

1. Course readings and student assignments will require students to demonstrate a knowledge of the core literature and debates that make up the disciple of criminology.

2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the key components of criminological theory and the ability to explain causes of crime.

3. Students will demonstrate the ability to make reasoned and informed judgment on issues relating to crime and punishment

4. Students will show the ability to debate on crime and punishment and policies relating to the control of crime in their wider social, historical, political and economic context.

5. Students will show evidence of having read and understood the core literature and debates presented on the course, especially those related to the socially constructed nature of crime and deviance, measurement, causes and key aspects of crime control policy.

6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and moral dimensions of crime and punishment and the role of changing cultural mores in our views of crime and punishment.

Other program outcomes (if applicable).

  1. Integrate knowledge and skills in the program of study

  2. Make ethical judgments while recognizing multiple perspectives, as appropriate in the program of study

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

Methods used to evaluate student learning will be chosen from, but not limited to, exams, papers, projects, and discussions.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window(PDF).

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.

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