Criminology

Criminology Department

Evelyn Spratt, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Ariel Ludwig, Chair

Campuses

Main Campus

Summary

The Criminology Department in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business offers a Major in Criminology and Social Deviance a Minor in Criminology and a Minor in Sociology to Traditional Undergraduate students. The Program provides students an opportunity to pursue studies leading to graduate school or a career in the administration of justice. The Program is structured around the study of both crime and deviance to ground students with an understanding of criminal behavior and the official reactions to such behavior. The curriculum draws on social science disciplines including Sociology and Psychology as well as applied field experiences to analyze criminal behavior. Criminology as a discipline examines evolution of criminological theory and societal factors at the micro and macro levels focused on the etiology crime and criminal behavior. Most courses include content related to criminal justice themes. Prepares students to pursue a wide range of career paths in law, corrections, policing, victim advocacy, child welfare and juvenile justice.

Criminology, as a discipline, is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, as an interdisciplinary field of study drawing on subjects such as history, psychology, sociology, political science, and biology. Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills applied to a range of issues related to crime and society. Students are challenged to critically evaluate criminal justice institutions through the lens of social justice and to understand the impact they have on the lives of women, the poor and minorities, particularly in Baltimore City. The Sociology Minor supplements this mission by providing students with the intellectual tools to examine the roles of various social institutions.

Criminology, as a discipline, is concerned with uncovering the root causes and consequences of crime. A Criminal Justice curriculum studies the three main elements of the justice system: policing, courts, and corrections. Criminology provides a theoretical foundation to support the examination of patterns concerning deviant and criminal behavior, offenders, and victims. Throughout the criminology curriculum, students learn about the justice system but from a sociological perspective with a critical focus on the issues in how to seek justice and with commitment to improve the justice system.

Criminology and Social Deviance Curriculum Goals and Learning Objectives

Goal 1: Develop a norm of social responsibility professionally and personally

1.1 Students will develop values.

1.2 Students will articulate the utility of the criminological perspective as one of several perspectives of social reality as it relates to the operation of the criminal justice system.

1.3 Students will explain the importance of reducing the negative effects of social inequality as it relates to the criminal justice system

Goal 2: Critically analyze the nature and operations of the criminal justice system and how this relates to social institutions, structures, and culture

2.1 Demonstrate skills in recall, analysis, application, synthesis, and evaluation.

2.2 Identify underlying assumptions in theoretical orientations or arguments

2.3 Identify underlying assumptions in particular methodological approaches to an issue.

2.4 Demonstrate knowledge of positivist approaches to the study of crime, including psychological, biological, and rational choice.

2.5 Demonstrate knowledge of constructionist approaches to the study of crime, including functionalism, conflict theory, feminist theory, and symbolic interactionism.

2.6 Demonstrate knowledge of the causes of crime and the methods and tools used to study, prevent and control crime.

2.7 Describe the institutions and actors involved in the apprehension, prosecution, punishment, and reintegration of those accused of crime.

2.8 Identity the legal, economic and political frameworks underlying the criminal justice system other social institutions, structures, and culture.

Goal 3: Evaluate and produce ethical research designs

3.1 Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building criminological knowledge.

3.2 Compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data.

3.3 Design a research study in an area of choice and explain why various decisions were made.

3.4 Identify and apply the principles of ethical criminological practice.

3.5 Use technical skills in retrieving information from the internet.

3.6 Use computers appropriately for data analysis.

Goal 4: Integrate academic learning with field experience

4.1 Apply theoretical paradigms, utilize criminological knowledge in field experience.

4.2 Practice good ethics in field experience.

Goal 5: Demonstrate competent scientific written and oral communication using APA style

5.1 Write in appropriate social science style and accurately convey data findings.

5.2 Demonstrate the ability to express ideas in a clear and coherent manner in oral presentations.

5.3 Students will be able to write in a competent and effective manner to communicate and apply concepts from criminology.

Student majoring in Criminology participate in a practicum or field experience with a criminal justice or social service agency that gives the student an opportunity to integrate theory, science and practice of criminology. The field experience is a capstone course that includes a seminar course directed by a faculty member designed to help students integrate the field experience with their classroom learning, as well as to prepare students for entry into graduate school or successful careers upon graduation. In addition to the practicum course, students complete a senior seminar on an advanced topic in the discipline or complete an independent research project. Students who choose the independent study option are mentored by a faculty to complete an original research project which involves original data collection, analysis, writing of a research report and delivering a presentation.

The Criminology and Social Deviance Program also offers minors in Criminology and Sociology. The Criminology Minor provides students a basic understanding of criminal behavior and the criminal justice response in the context of today's society. Graduates will be prepared to succeed in an occupation involving interaction with people, including policymaking, community action, social research and social services. Many criminology majors choose to complete a minor in forensic psychology.

Students with a 3.2 grade point average overall and a 3.2 grade point average in their major courses may become active members of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society in criminal justice.

Criminology courses that fulfill the General Education Requirement in Gender Studies: SOC-209, SOC-215, SOC-271, CRM-315, CRM-325.

All courses credited toward the Criminology Major or Minor must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Technical Standards

A student must have abilities and skills in five areas for CRM 461: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a student should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

  1. Observation: The student must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all the other senses.
  2. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
  3. Motor: Student must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The student must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
  4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student must be able to problem-solve, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Students must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The student must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Students who may not meet the technical standards are encouraged to contact the NDMU Director of Accessibility and Health Promotion to discuss and identify what accommodations, if any, would need to be made in order that the student might be able to meet the standards.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

CRM-101: Introduction to Criminology

Credits 3.00
Provides an examination of the nature, causes and social significance of crime. Emphasizes the major explanations of criminal behavior and typologies of crime and examines crime and crime prevention strategies as they relate to theory, policy and practice. Serves as a gateway course for students interested in the field of criminology. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and thinking critically and analytically. [3 credits]

CRM-105: Applied Defensive Techniques in Criminology

Credits 3.00
Introduces the principles and practices employed by law enforcement personnel for the purpose of self defense in the field. Provides a holistic approach to the control of subjects through both classroom instruction and the practice and performance of the necessary physical skills. Emphasis is placed on the social context of violence as well as the personal, psychological, and physical control of aggression. [3 credits]

CRM-130: Criminology At the Movies

Credits 3.00
Explores the impact of criminological themes and theories on popular movies. Consists of an intensive, didactic experience that introduces the student to related criminological research and applications. [3 credits]

CRM-203: Theories of Crime and Social Deviance

Credits 3.00
Examines major paradigms, models and theories of criminology. Students critically review explanations of criminal behavior and analyze past, current and future trends in criminal activity. Theories in deviance and criminology from multidisciplinary perspectives provide a foundation for discussion. Prerequisite: CRM-101. [3 credits]

CRM-205: Policing and Society

Credits 3.00
Focuses on the history, structure, role, and function of policing in American society. Types of policing and police-community relations will be explored. Students will examine the functions of policing including patrol, order maintenance, investigation and community policing. A number of contemporary police problems will be presented including corruption, discretion, deadly force and minority relations. Course will include an exploration of cross-national comparisons. Prerequisite: CRM-101 or SOC-101. [3 credits]

CRM-220: Criminal Law and Procedure

Credits 3.00
Examines criminal law and procedure as a device for defining and controlling harmful behavior within a formal framework in the criminal justice system. Attention is given to the theoretical justifications for and the effectiveness of punishment, the foundations of culpability, the basic principles of criminal liability, and the definition of offenses and defenses. Prerequisite: CRM-101 or SOC-101. [3 credits]

CRM-230: Terrorism and Homeland Security

Credits 3.00
Examines terrorism with a focus on the contemporary societal experience, although historical perspectives will provide context as well. Differentiating characteristics of domestic and international terror groups will be identified. Legal implications of anti-terrorist measures and homeland security enforcement will be reviewed. Prerequisite: CRM-101. [ 3 credits ]

CRM-240: Corrections in America

Credits 3.00
This course provides an examination into correc- tions in America. We will differentiate the purpose and operation of jails versus prisons. Additionally, we will look at the use of non-custodial corrections alternatives such as community service, probation and parole. In this course, the history of corrections as well as contemporary issues in corrections will be examined. [ 3 credits ]

CRM-310: The Criminal Justice System

Credits 3.00
Examines the American criminal justice system. Introduces students to the workings of police, courts and corrections in American society, and how each functions as a mechanism of social control. Explores local, state and federal agencies as individual components of the comprehensive and interrelated system of justice. Prerequisites: CRM-101; PSY-210 or CRM-360. [3 credits]

CRM-311: Topics in Criminology

Credits 3.00
Uses empirical evidence to provide a contemporary approach to analyzing and evaluating crime and social deviance through a critical theoretical framework or uses empirical evidence to provide a contemporary approach to examining specific areas within criminology. Topics will vary. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisites: SOC-101 and CRM-101. [3 credits]

CRM-315: Victims of Crime

Credits 3.00
Examines the impact of crime on its victims, including identification of victim types, victim compensation and reduction of victimization. The course focuses on the relationship of criminology and the criminal justice system to victims themselves. Prerequisite: CRM-101. [ 3 credits ]

CRM-320: Juvenile Delinquency

Credits 3.00
Examines delinquency as a form of socially deviant or criminal behavior engaged in by minors. Topics include definitions of delinquency, long- and short-term trends, explanations of delinquent behavior, drug use, gangs and school violence. Possible interventions, treatment and prevention strategies are also addressed. Prerequisite: SOC-101; PSY-210 or CRM-360. [3 credits]

CRM-325: Violence Against Women

Credits 3.00
Examines violence against women through a wide range of socially institutionalized and individually perpetuated political, social, economic and physical frameworks. Violence against women takes place within socially constructed race-ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, and class specificities, as well as socio-historical contexts. The course examines how race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-historical constraints and shifts perpetuate systems of domination and oppression. It looks at ways in which these forces shape how women experience economic, social, sexual, class and gender domination and exploitation. Prerequisite: CRM-101 or SOC-101. Fulfills the general education requirement in gender studies. [3 credits]

CRM-330: Human Trafficking

Credits 3.00
Explores human trafficking or modern slavery on an international and domestic level. Human Trafficking victims include men, women and children who are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. The course will use slavery and human trafficking as starting points to help us critically analyze the relationships betwen sex, gender, and human rights; race and the political economy. In this course, you will gain an overview of the issue of trafficking from a global perspective, including its extent, relation to other criminal activities, victims and perpetrators. This seminar is designed to introduce students to the complex problem of human trafficking and the laws governing this subject area. The course will also expose students to the developments in the legal and policy framework to address trafficking at he national level, and evaluate practicalimplementation of such measures - the impact and consequences of trafficked people. The first part of the course will focus on the study of the different forms of human trafficking, theories behind the root of the problem, and relevant international and domestic laws. The second half of the course will examine the roles of the U.S. Government, domestic non-governmental organizations, the media, and local communities in the responding to and preventing human trafficking. Prerequisites: CRM-101 or SOC-101. [ 3 credits ]

CRM-360: Research Methods and Crime Analysis

Credits 4.00
Provides framework for the critical and empirical analysis of social science data relating to crime and social deviance, including experimental and quasi-experimental research design, crime analysis, ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative statistical methods and scientific report writing. Students learn how to use the statistical package for the social sciences and compute descriptive, inferential statistics and multivariate analysis. This course instructs students on the relationship between theory and scholarly inquiry, the nature of causation, and how to formulate and test hypotheses using a variety of empirical methods. Students learn a range of research approaches including surveys, experiments, field work, case studies and unobtrusive measures typically employed in the criminology and criminal justice fields. Students develop a research question and appropriate research methodology, empirically evaluate a hypothesis and write a research report. Prerequisites: MAT-215, PSY-210; and either CRM-101,PSY-101, or SOC-101. [4 credits]

CRM-411: Topics in Criminology

Credits 3.00
Explores various topics in Criminology. Topic will change each offering of the course and will be noted. [ 3 credits ]

CRM-461: Criminology Practicum I

Credits 4.00
Provides opportunities for field experience for qualified students under professional supervision to integrate theory, science, and practice. Allows for consultative meeting with practicum coordinator concerning careet goals and aspirations, which then determine the nature of a placement most consistent with student abilities and interests. Requires students to meet academic and background requirements for chosen placement and to attend an academic seminar in addition to fieldwork. Prerequisites: at least junior criminology major status and conference with NDMU practicum coordinator. Not open to liberal arts major or criminology minors. Technical Standars are evaluated by the department. Students will not be permitted to repeat CRM-461 if they receivea failing grade (D or F), because of an ethical violation or are removed from their practicum site due to an ethical violation. Ethical violations may include plagiarism. The practicum requirement cannot be waived or completed through another institution. [ 4 credits ]

CRM-463: Independent Study in Criminology

Credits 3.00
Provides a student with an opportunity to pursue a scholarly project under the direction of a faculty member. Work may include directed readings, literature review, clinical study, or data collection and analysis. Prerequisites: PSY-210 or CRM-360 and acceptance for supervision by a department faculty member. [ 3 credits ]

SOC-101: Introductory Sociology

Credits 3.00
Uses the sociological imagination to help explain what sociology is and how it is relevant to everyday life. Examines culture, social structure, socialization, social institutions, social inequality and social change. Topics include gender roles, deviance and social control, class, race and ethnic inequality, family, and work. Serves as a foundation course for students interested in the field of sociology and criminology. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and thinking critically and analytically. [3 credits]

SOC-202: Sociology of the Family

Credits 3.00
Examines the historical development and transformation of the American family. Explores marriage and alternatives to traditional arrangements. Students will analyze issues relating to parenting, divorce, remarriage and grandparenting, paying special attention to class and race, as well as ethnicity, gender differences and sexual orientation. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. Prerequisite: SOC-101 or permission of instructor. [3 credits]

SOC-209: Race, Class and Gender

Credits 3.00
Explores the intersecting systems of inequality, race, ethnicity, social class and gender. Examines the construction of identity categorizations and links them to our current experiences and conceptions of self. Covers the nature of privilege and its reproduction in social institutions such as the workplace, education, and the criminal justice system. Fulfills general education requirements in social science and cross-cultural studies. Prerequisite: SOC-101 or permission of instructor. [3 credits]

SOC-215: Gender Roles

Credits 3.00
Addresses the social construction of gender roles. Demonstrates patterns of inequality and power relations through historical and cross-cultural data. Explains concepts such as sexism, gender socialization, and gendered institutions. Examines the consequences of division of labor in marital relations, the family and the workplace. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and gender roles. Prerequisite: SOC-101 or permission. [3 credits]

SOC-222: Social Problems

Credits 3.00
Examines how social conditions come to be defined as social problems. Surveys the causes of, theoretical explanations for, and possible interventions to resolve social problems. Provides students with opportunities to analyze in-depth such social concerns as substance abuse, family violence, environmental issues, discrimination, crime and terrorism. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. Prerequisite: SOC-101 or permission. [3 credits]

SOC-250: Sociology of Sport

Credits 3.00
Examines sport as a social phenomenon. Particular attention is given to comparing and contrasting cultural variances in sport. The course uses sports to study social shifts, the politics of inequality, and power structures across cultures. Topics include community identity as defined by the culture of sport; the construction of morality through sport; politics and sport; the role of gender and sexuality in sport; and the role of sport in economic development. Fulfills general education cross-cultural requirement. Crosslisted with PED-250. Prerequisite: SOC-101. [3 credits]

SOC-271: Honors: Sociology of Gender Roles

Credits 3.00
An analysis of the social sources and psycho- logical mechanisms that shape gender role differentiation. Special attention will be given to the political, ideological behavior and social construction of gender. Historical and cross-cultural data will be used to demonstrate patterns of inequality. The psychological and social impact of gender inequality will be examined. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar or permission. Fulfills general education requirements in social science and gender studies. [3 credits]

SOC-301: Social Justice

Credits 3.00
Overviews social injustice in American society and in American social institutions. Addresses issues of prejudice, racism and sexism, as well as discrimination based on sexual orientation, religious preference and disability. Provides students with opportunities to evaluate problem-solving procedures for social service agencies and the community at large. Prerequisite: SOC-101, PSY-210, CRM-101 or SOC-222. [3 credits]

SOC-315: Sociology of Law

Credits 3.00
Studies criminal law from a sociological perspec-tive with an emphasis on the United States Constitution. Examines the impact of the social usages of law as an instrument of social policy, social control and social regulation. Prepares students to interact professionally with the legal system. Prerequisites: PSY-210, SOC-101 or CRM-101. [3 credits]

SOC-340: Deviance and Social Control

Credits 3.00
Examines how we come to define attitudes, behavior, and characteristics as "normal" or "deviant" in society. Explores the construction of categories of difference with an eye toward the idea that labeling people or ideas as deviant is often a way to maintain the status quo. Addresses "deviant" behavior as an agent of social change as well as a source of social stability. Applies various sociological paradigms to such topics as social movements, crime and delinquency, and mental illness. Prerequisite: PSY-210, SOC-101 or CRM-101. [3 credits]

SOC-350: Sociological Theory

Credits 3.00
Provides an overview of the theoretical founda- tions of the discipline. First exposes students to the works of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber-the "fathers" of sociology-and then provides current theoretical considerations. Analyzes various sociological perspectives in explaining social phenomena, such as structural functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, and feminist sociology. Explores every day applications of sociological paradigms. Prerequisites: SOC-101. [3 credits]

SOC-360: Sociology of Work

Credits 3.00
Analyzes social relations in the workplace as well as the dynamics of the labor market. Identifies the units of analysis in the study of work and changes to each in U.S. industrial shifts. The demographics of the labor market are analyzed in the context of the Great Migration, the dual labor market, control systems, flexible firms, occupational sex segregation, and globalization. Public policies that influence work relations such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Civil Rights Act are couched in labor market dynamics. Interpersonal dimensions of work are also addressed including the negotiation between family, intergenerational mobility and work and job satisfaction. Prerequisites: SOC-101 and PSY-210 or CRM-360. [3 credits]

SOC-371: Honors: Social Problems

Credits 3.00
Considers how social conditions come to be defined as social problems. Reviews causes and theoretical explanations for their origins and possible interventions to resolve social problems. Topics include substance abuse, family violence, environmental issues, discrimination, crime and terrorism. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar or permission. [3 credits]

SOC-390: Sociology of Education

Credits 3.00
Provides an overview of sociological theories and research about education in modern societies. Education is analyzed as a social institution that both challenges and reflects social stratification and institutionalized racism. The course addresses the reciprocal relationship between education and other social institutions such as family and the economy. The course considers education at a variety of levels, from preschool to university and its influence on human capital accumulation. Prerequisites: SOC-101 and PSY-210 pt CRM-360. [3 credits]

SOC-411: Advanced Topics

Credits 3.00
Provides a context for understanding the broad focus of the discipline of criminology. As an upper-level course in the criminology major, reviews key sociological and criminological writings from an advanced, informed perspective. The student uses these scholarly resources to develop a paper that synthesizes her particular knowledge of criminological theory, research and applications. Students also develop their abilities to analyze their personal experiences from a sociological perspective and explore options for continued study or employment related to their sociological training. Topics will vary, though recent topics have included: Corporate Crime, Violence Against Women, Social Inequality in the Criminal Justice System, and Policing. Prerequisites: PSY-210, CRM-203 or SOC-350, and junior/senior status. [3 credits]

SOC-463: Independent Research/Independent Study

Credits 3.00
Provides a student with an opportunity to pursue a scholarly project under the direction of a faculty member. Work may include directed readings, literature review, clinical study, or data collection and analysis. Prerequisites: PSY-210, PSY-340 or CRM-360 and acceptance for supervision by a department faculty member. [3 credits]