Section 1: What is Theory?
- Section 1.1: Thinking about Theory [Learning Resources]
- Section 1.2: The Mythology of Criminal Justice [Learning Resources ]
- Section 1.3: Criminology and Science [Learning Resources ]
- Section 1.4: What Makes a Good Theory? [Learning Resources ]
- Section 1.5: Classification of Theories [Learning Resources ]
Section 2: Western Political Philosophy
- Section 2.1: The Natural Law [Learning Resources ]
- Section 2.2: The Greeks and Romans [Learning Resources ]
- Section 2.3: Natural Law and Christianity [Learning Resources ]
- Section 2.4: Hobbes versus Locke [Learning Resources ]
- Section 2.5: The Decline of Natural Law [Learning Resources ]
Section 3: Classical Criminology
- Section 3.1: The Nasty, Brutish, and Short [Learning Resources ]
- Section 3.2: Reform Movements [Learning Resources ]
- Section 3.3: Bentham and the Utilitarians [Learning Resources ]
- Section 3.4: Modern Deterrence Theory [Learning Resources ]
- Section 3.5: Rational Choice Theory [Learning Resources ]
Section 4: Biological Theories of Crime
- Section 4.1: The Positivists [Learning Resources ]
- Section 4.2: Hormones and Criminal Tendencies [Learning Resources ]
- Section 4.3: Intelligence and Crime [Learning Resources ]
- Section 4.4: Genetics and Crime [Learning Resources ]
- Section 4.5: Brain Physiology and Crime [Learning Resources ]
Section 5: Psychological Theories of Crime
- Section 5.1: Psychoanalytic Theory [Learning Resources ]
- Section 5.2: Personality Theory [Learning Resources ]
- Section 5.3: Cognitive Theory [Learning Resources ]
- Section 5.4: Psychopathology and Crime [Learning Resources ]
- Section 5.5: Substance Abuse and Crime [Learning Resources ]
Section 6: Sociological Theories of Crime
- Section 6.1: Labeling Theory [Learning Resources ]
- Section 6.2: Anomie and Strain Theories [Learning Resources ]
- Section 6.3: Social Learning Theories [Learning Resources ]
- Section 6.4: Social Disorganization Theories [Learning Resources ]
- Section 6.5: Integrated Theories [Learning Resources ]
Section 7: Crime Science
- Section 7.1: Situational Crime Prevention [Learning Resources ]
- Section 7.2: Criminal Decision Making [Learning Resources ]
- Section 7.3: Felson’s Chemistry of Crime [Learning Resources ]
- Section 7.4: Clarke’s Hot Products [Learning Resources ]
- Section 7.5: Crime and Place [Learning Resources ]
Section 8: Victimology
- Section 8.1: Introduction to Victimology [Learning Resources ]
- Section 8.2: Theories of Victimization [Learning Resources ]
- Section 8.3: Types of Victims and Victimizations [Learning Resources ]
- Section 8.4: The Impact of Victimization [Learning Resources ]
- Section 8.5: Responding to Victimization [Learning Resources ]
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
When you complete this course, you should be able to:
- SLO 1: Analyze the fundamental principles and classifications of criminological theories, including classical, positivist, and contemporary approaches, to understand criminal behavior’s multifaceted nature (Section 1).
- SLO 2: Examine the impact of legal systems and theories on criminal justice practices, reflecting on the evolution of legal thought and its application in contemporary legal frameworks (Section 2).
- SLO 3: Assess the contributions of biological and neuroscientific research to criminological theory, considering the ethical implications of incorporating this research into practice (Section 3).
- SLO 4: Evaluate the influence of psychological factors, including personality disorders and mental health issues, on criminal behavior and the criminal justice system’s response (Section 4).
- SLO 5: Discuss the significance of social structure and environmental factors in influencing criminal behavior, applying integrated criminological theories to societal issues (Section 6).
- SLO 6: Explore the role of the victim in the criminal justice system, analyzing patterns of victimization and the impact of societal attitudes towards victims (Section 8).
- SLO 7: Apply theories of victimization, including Lifestyle-Exposure Theory and Routine Activities Theory, to develop strategies for prevention and victim support (Section 8).
- SLO 8: Understand the dynamics of crime measurement, data analysis, and the importance of empirical research in developing effective crime prevention and intervention strategies (Section 5).
- SLO 9: Investigate the influence of technological advancements and digital environments on criminal behavior and victimization, proposing solutions to cybercrime and online harassment (Section 7).
- SLO 10: Synthesize knowledge from various criminological perspectives to propose comprehensive approaches for crime prevention, victim support, and criminal justice policy-making, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical consideration (Sections 1-8).
*See the “Learning Resources” page for each section and subsection for more granular SLOs.
Modification History File Created: 08/04/2018 Last Modified: 02/15/2024
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This work is licensed under an Open Educational Resource-Quality Master Source (OER-QMS) License.
I find no reference in the Criminology text to developmental or life course perspectives. I do find them in “Docs CJ Glossary”. Is that intentional? Or am I just missing them. When I search the terms individually on the site I am referred to the glossary and to sociology and psychology courses. Thank you, Frank Plunkett
PS: Very good works overall.
There are a lot of arguably important perspectives that aren’t included in the text. My goal with the text is to provide a survey of the field that undergraduate student’s can reasonably handle in a single semester course. Several of the omitted items we’re chosen for omission because I know that students will encounter them in other courses, such as Juvenile Justice. If you’d like to collaborate on a “sidebar” or appendix for any topic in that or any other text, I’m happy to work with you in it! If you don’t like the omission, I’m sure that others don’t as well, so it would be a valuable addition.
Regards,
Adam