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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/LAW 221-4"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Criminology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Teasdale
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
What is crime? Why are we so fascinated by it? Why do people commit crimes and what are the best deterrents? How do we assess the success or failure of policing, incarceration and rehabilitation strategies? This course examines the politics underlying how crimes are defined and measured and what patterns of criminal behavior have thus emerged over time. It explores both classical and contemporary theories that seek to explain why certain people engage in crimes while others do not. It also explores how theories of crime affect policy, it evaluates existing strategies of crime control, and introduces a critical discussion of how contemporary criminal justice systems operate.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course traces theories relating to Crime chronologically from 'Pre'-Modernity through Modernity to the Post-Modern and Critical contemporary perspectives. This approach serves three purposes. The first because it allows students to have a broad and inclusive oversight of theories. Secondly, it enables students to understand that these theories are very much products of their age, and that this historical context is necessary for a complete academic understanding of theories relating to Crime. Lastly, it also demonstrates the conceptual, philosophical and political connections between seemingly disparate and separate theories. Students are encouraged therefore to engage with the context of theory, the content of theory, and then use the developing knowledge to compare theories, to ultimately be able to challenge or support theories to further their own individual academic undertakings.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

- Understand the historiography and content of key Criminilogical theries

- Challenge and think critically of these theories in relation to one another and their academic and historical context

- Use studies and case studies to test and challenge theory

- Understand policy decisions and agendas in the light of theoretical and historical assesment

- Critically approach discussions, assumptions and representations of crime, prevention, and rehabilitation
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
MIdterm ExamA midterm exam in which open ended questions test the student's knowledge and application of theory20
Final ExamAn expanded version of the midterm exam30
Research PaperA paper in which the student has combined one case study to at least two theories, in which at least one theory must be challenged and improved upon30
ParticipationIncludes attendance and the shared duty of presenting weekly topics15
Final Oral PresentationOral presntaiton of research paper5

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Each student has  a maximum of three permitted absences. After which each missed class will account for a full grade deduction from the final grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

 

WEEK 1

Introduction to course, syllabus and class etiquette

Crime as a concept in Pre-Modernity

WEEK 2

Classical Theory

Populist Conservative Theory

WEEK 3

Biological Positivism

Psychological Positivism

WEEK 4

Sociological Positivism

Women and Positivism

WEEK 5

Labelling Theory

Conflict and Radical Theories

WEEK 6

Review

Midterm

WEEK 7

Midterm review

The Gendered Criminal 

WEEK 8

Critical Criminology

Socio-Biological Theories

WEEK 9

Enviromental Theories

Social Control Theories

WEEK 10

Left Realism

Crime and the Postmodern

WEEK 11

Cultural Criminology

Crime and Globalization

WEEK 12

Review

Research Paper Workshop

WEEK 13

Research Paper Workshop

Research Paper Presentations

WEEK 14

Research Paper Presentations

Review