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
- online assignments & discussion groups
- 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
- 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
- Theoretical Issues
- Criminal justice and public policy
At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Define and explain sociological paradigms and concepts.
- Describe the role of law, the definition of crime and the image of the criminal.
- Assess and evaluate research articles critically.
- Apply advanced theoretical concepts to crime, the Canadian criminal justice system and real-world events.
- Describe and assess what constitutes good criminological theory.
- Describe and critically assess advanced theories of deviance, crime and social control.
- Apply specific theoretical perspectives in order to explain how deviance and crime are created and maintained.
- Identify and assess the links between the ideas of justice, deviance, law and punishment.
- Identify and situate theories of deviance and crime into larger theoretical paradigms within the social sciences.
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 may be based on some of the following:
- Examinations
- Oral presentations
- Research project/term project
- Class participation
- Journal assignment/weekly questions
- Book Reviews
- Participation in online discussion groups
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
| Midterm exams (2) | 40% |
| Term paper | 30% |
| Online discussion participation | 10% |
| Final exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
Williams, F. & McShane, M. (2013). Criminological Theory, 6th ed. Pearson, Boston.
Einstadter, W.J. & Henry, S. (2006) Criminological Theory: An Analyis of Its Underlying Assumptions, 2nd ed. Rowman & Littlefield, Lanhan.
Garland, D. (1993). Punishment and Modern Society: A Study in Social Theory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of Prison. USA: Pantheon Books.
Additional texts may include:
Christie, N. (2004). A Suitable Amount of Crime. London: Routledge.
Course Reader compiled by instructor.