Advanced Theoretical Perspectives

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CRIM 3310
Discontinued
No
Course code
CRIM 3310
Descriptive
Advanced Theoretical Perspectives
Department
Criminology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201420
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 4 hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

  • lectures
  • seminar presentations
  • audiovisual material including video
  • small group discussions
  • research projects
  • research papers
Course description
This course explores the diverse nature of theory within the field of crime and deviance by focusing on modern, post-modern and post-critical theories. The selected paradigms are studied with regard to their explanatory domain, role in examining social and criminological problems and research implications.
Course content
  1. Introduction and Overview
    • Reviewing sociological paradigms and concepts
    • Human nature and human behaviour
    • Society and social order
    • The role of law, the definition of crime, and the image of the criminal
    • Social context and theories
    • Determining what is good theory
    • Theoretical diversity
  2. Theories and Perspectives
    • Phenomenology
    • Conflict theories of crime
    • Marxist theories of crime
    • Feminist theories of crime
    • Masculinist theories of crime
    • Left Realism
    • Modern Strain Theory
    • Modern Social Control Theory
    • Integrative theories
    • Peacemaking criminology
    • Post-modernist theories of crime
  3. Theoretical Issues
    • Criminal justice and public policy
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to: 

  1. Define sociological paradigms and concepts.
  2. Describe the role of law, the definition of crime and the image of the criminal.
  3. Read research articles critically.
  4. Apply advanced theoretical concepts to crime, the Canadian criminal justice system and real-world events.
  5. Determine what constitutes good theory.
  6. Describe, comprehend and critically assess advanced theories of deviance, crime and social control.
  7. Apply specific theoretical perspectives to the exploration of how deviance and crime are created and      maintained. 
  8. Identify the links between the ideas of justice, deviance, law and punishment.
  9. Identify and situate theories of deviance and crime into larger theoretical paradigms within the social      sciences.
Means of assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on some of the following:

 

  1. Short answer tests
  2. Exams
  3. Oral presentations
  4. Research project/term project
  5. Class participation
  6. Journal assignment/weekly questions
  7. Book Reviews

 

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Book reviews
(2 assignments 20% each)    		  40%
Midterm exams
2 exams 20% each		  40%
Movie Review  10%
Final quiz  10%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Texts will be updated periodically.  Typical examples are:

Garland, D.  (1993).  Punishment and Modern Society:  A Study in Social Theory.  Chicago:  University of Chicago Press.

Kuhn, T.  (1996). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (3rd).  Chicago:  University of Chicago Press.

Foucault, M.  (1977).  Discipline and Punish:  The Birth of Prison.  USA: Pantheon Books.

 

Additional texts include:

Christie, N. (2004).  A Suitable Amount of Crime.  London:  Routledge.

Course Reader compiled by instructor.

Prerequisites

(CRIM 1150 or CRIM 2251) AND (CRIM 2252 or SOCI 1125)