Criminology is the scientific study of criminal behavior. This course
will critically examine the nature and distribution of crime in a
theoretically, and sociologically informed manner.  Throughout the
course, we will draw from various theoretical perspectives and apply
them to current events. A large part of the course will focus on
exploring and critically evaluating both academic and popular ideas
of the physical, psychological, and social characteristics believed
to cause crime. As a critical inquisition into the nature of crime,
some of the topics that will be covered include:(1) legal definitions
of crime and associated sociological critiques, (2) a review of the
major sources of qualitative and quantitative approaches
criminologists use to study crime (A special emphasis will be on the
informed use of crime statistics by evaluating their usefulness and
limitations), and (3) various crime theories as they pertain to
current events. By the end of this course, students will have a solid
grounding of the major lines of sociological thought and research in
criminology, and as a result, have a rich understanding of crime as a
social problem.