Criminal Justice 475
I. Course Title: Case Studies in Criminology
II. Course Number: CRJU 475
III. Credit Hours: 3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: CRJU 100, CRJU 370, and junior or senior standing, or permission of the instructor
V. Course Description:
This course applies criminological theories to explain the deviant behavior of real and/or fictional people and events. Biographical information is examined for factors and events that predict their deviant actions.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
This course will cover material specifically related to the following issues:
- Review of relevant criminological theories
- Case studies of deviants, revolving around biographical information.
- How elements of criminological theories can be found in real-life events.
- The limitations of some criminological theories in explaining deviant behavior in specific examples.
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
A number of instructional strategies will be employed in this course to enhance student engagement. The course may include any or all of the following basic strategies.
- Lecture
- Online content and activities
- Case studies
- Student presentations
- Class discussions and small group discussions
- Written and critical thinking assignments
- Guest speakers
- Video material
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Having completed this course, students will be able to:
- Identify predictive factors of criminal behavior in people’s lives.
- Discuss biographical events in case-studies of deviants in terms of elements of criminological theories.
- Explain why some criminological theories better explain some types of crime better than other theories.
- Apply elements of criminological theories to social and biological factors in a criminal’s life.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:
- Examinations
- Presentations
- In-class discussion and participation
- Research papers
- In-class writing assignments
- Online assignments
- Group participation
- Quizzes
Review and Approval
August 2020