Crime has always aroused fascination and morbid attention.  The media,
movies and even books feed upon it and the horror of blood spilled is
perhaps matched only by the foreboding curiosity towards the offender.
The question of what is crime, who is a criminal and how to control
criminal behavior has major relevance to our society.  The objective
of this course is to understand crime trends and the nature and causes
of criminal behavior.  In this course we will focus upon the
definition of crime, its relationship with law and the factors,
circumstances or conditions that influence individuals or groups to
get involved in law violating behavior.  We will begin by
understanding the problem of the measurement of crime and explore the
trends both spatially and temporarily.  Thereafter, we will examine
the biogenetic, psychiatric and psychological explanations of criminal
and deviant behavior and give special attention to the hypothesized
links between criminality and genetics, physiology, mental disorders,
personality and moral development.  We will next survey those accounts
for criminal behavior that examine the sociological perspectives of
both individuals and groups.  These will include anomie, strain,
control, sub-cultural ecological, group conflict, functionalist and
critical theories.  Finally, we will examine some of the specific
types of criminal behavior and investigate how opportunity shapes and
facilitates criminal incidents.  We will look at some of the
environmental factors that could impede such harmful behavior too.

Required Texts:
George B. Vold and Thomas J. Bernard, "Theoretical Criminology", 4rd
edition.
Marcus Felson, "Crime and Everyday Life", 2nd edition.
Reference will be made to a set of readings on some special topics
too.

Evaluation:
Mid-Term Examination (multiple choice) 25%
Class Participation 5%
Essay Examination (take home) 30%
Final Examination (multiple choice & short answers) 40%

Class Meeting:  11:30A - 12:20P, Daily, SY001

Instructor:     Professor Arvind Verma, Criminal Justice Department