SOC 5440 - Criminological Theory

The principal aim of this course is to examine the historical development of classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives in the field of criminology, paying attention to the social/political/economic context at the time of each theory’s development. This examination will also include the manner in which central concepts in each theoretical perspective have been defined and how they have been related to one another in the criminological literature. Consideration will be given to the way in which theories have been evaluated in the discipline. A goal of the class will be to explore the implications for public and private responses to crime that derive from the different theories.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: SOC 2600 and SOC 3620, or graduate standing

Credits: 3 hours