Criminology is the science which studies crime and criminal behavior - forms of criminal behavior, the causes of crime, the definition of criminality, and the societal reaction to criminal activity. Related areas of inquiry may include juvenile delinquency, victimology (the study of crime victims), theories of prevention, policing and corrections. The criminology major is multi-disciplinary in that students are required to complete course work in criminology, psychology and sociology.
Major and Minor Requirements for Criminology
The major in criminology requires 42 hours of course work. CRIM 100 (1); SOC 110 (4); SOC 110R (1); CRIM 200 (1); BESCI 210 (4); SOC 220 (4); CRIM 230 (4); SOC 320 (4); SOC 330 (4); CRIM 340 (4); CRIM 350 (4); CRIM 380 (4); CRIM 420 (4). Course descriptions are provided below.
Minor requirements include
The minor requirements include: SOC 110; SOC 110R; CRIM 230; CRIM 340 and two of the following: SOC 320; SOC 330; CRIM 350; CRIM 380; CRIM 420.
A criminology major who declares a second major in psychology or sociology is waived from the corresponding 100 and 200 Seminar courses, and may not enroll in the corresponding 301 and 401 Seminar courses.
Criminology Course Offerings
100 SEMINAR I - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF CRIMINOLOGY - (1). An introduction to criminology for new majors, including information about degree and career planning, skills for college success, advising resources, professional associations, the publication manual of the discipline, library skills, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisite: None.
200 SEMINAR II - ETHICS - (1). An introduction to ethical issues in the fields of criminology, criminal justice and law, including an interpretation of the ethics code as applied to law enforcement, the courts, corrections, crime control policies and research. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: CRIM 100.
230 PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINOLOGY - (4). An introduction to the field of criminology including the nature, extent and variations in crime, theories of crime causation and crime typologies. Emphasis is placed on understanding criminal behavior as opposed to an examination of the criminal justice system. Field trips and group projects are utilized to enhance student involvement in the learning endeavor. Prerequisite: SOC 110.
301 SEMINAR III - CAREER PLANNING - (1). Preparation for graduate training and criminology careers. Students will learn about application to graduate school and the G.R.E., and develop a graduate study and/or career plan. Attending at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
340 THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - (4). A study of the criminal justice system and the agencies responsible for detecting, prosecuting, and adjudicating offenders, including defining crime and examining the history of criminal law with a focus on the role of the U.S. Constitution. Prerequisite: CRIM 230.
350 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY - (4). A study of the juvenile justice system in the United States including classical and contemporary theories of causation, institutionalization, diversion and prevention strategies. Prerequisite: CRIM 230.
380 VICTIMOLOGY - (4). An introduction to the multifaceted issue of victimization in the U.S. and abroad including theories of victimization, trends in criminal victimization, treatment of victims in the criminal justice system, victim support issues, and the victimization of certain subgroups in the population. Guest speakers and group projects are utilized. Prerequisite: SOC 110, CRIM 230.
391 CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTS - (4). An examination of the structure and function of the court system, with observation experiences in the local and their support agencies. Guest speakers and field trips are utilized. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and CRIM 230 required; CRIM 340 recommended. Offered summer term only.
401 SEMINAR IV- CRIMINOLOGY PROSEMINAR - (1). A proseminar on criminology's academic and applied subdisciplines: death penalty, alternatives to prison, mandatory sentencing, prison overcrowding, violence in society, women and crime, race and crime, youth gangs, white collar crime. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
420 CLASS & CRIME - (4). A study of the relationship between class and crime. Emphasis is placed on understanding theories as well as empirical research conducted on the topic. Prerequisite: CRIM 230.
491 INDIVIDUAL STUDY - (4). Individual, independent study with a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
493 SELECTED TOPICS - (1-4)
495 CRIMINOLOGY INTERNSHIP - (1-4). Supervised field experience in a criminological setting accompanied by relevant library research and reflective writing. Repeatable up to 8 hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
499 UNDERGRADUATE CRIMINOLOGY THESIS - (4). Independent student scholarship usually comprising a comprehensive literature review, design and completion of psychological research, and a written and oral presentation of findings. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.