Sociology: Crime

Analysis of the nature and types of behavior that violates law, the mechanisms for defining such behaviors as criminal, and their causes and consequences. Prerequisite: Three hours of Sociology.

Prerequisites: 3 hours of Sociology; Minimum Sophomore standing PACE students with permission and override

This course offers students an introduction to the field of crime and criminology broadly defined. The course builds on a sociological approach to the field in developing a “criminological imagination” and critical approach to the topic that challenges common-sense and politicized notions of crime in the US and elsewhere. The course is divided into three main sections: a) early and foundational texts on sociological approaches to conceptualizing and researching crime (i.e., why do people commit crime?); b) critical approaches to understanding the intersection of social stratification, inequality, and perceptions of crime (i.e., how is crime defined?) c) select topics in contemporary criminology (e.g., cultural crime, white-collar crime, state-corporate crime, organized crime, cybercrime, environmental crime, etc.) from a US and transnational perspective.

Learning Objectives for this course include: - Review a wide range of sociological approaches to understanding and analyzing the field of crime that challenge common-sense notions of the topic - Reflect on main concepts and contemporary debates for further studies in the field - Develop critical insights on the relationships of structures, institutions, and inequalities and crime - Develop critical analytical skills through class readings, discussions, and assignments Interactive lecture focused on student engagement. Expectations include course readings, class participation, exams, and writing assignments. All course readings and materials will be available on the course website.

Class participation; class exercises, exams, short paper assignments.