This course examines crime, criminal behavior, and crime control from a sociological perspective. We will study the dominant sociological theories of criminal offending and learn how social forces and situations play a key role in crime and reactions to crime. We will closely examine violent crime and prevention efforts to reduce it. An important component of the course is to understand the way in which sociological theory and research can (and does) play a role in criminal justice and the prevention of criminal victimization. The course will attempt to answer crucial questions in the study of crime and criminal behavior. These questions include what is crime and how do we measure it? What are the social facts about the occurrence of crime? What are the major theories to explain criminal behavior? How are issues such as poverty and gender, related to crime? What efforts/policies have been implemented to address crime? How effective are they?
