This course is an introductory course that examines these issues with a specific focus on sociological approaches. The course surveys the descriptive, empirical, and theoretical issues in the study of crime and delinquency. The course considers the role of social, cultural, economic, political, psychological, chemical, biological, and ideological factors in treating behaviors as criminal as well as in causing criminal behavior. This course exposes students to the major theoretical perspectives in criminology and offers critiques and uses of these perspectives in the prevention and response to crime. At the end of the course, the students will demonstrate skills in understanding of major theories used in criminology, understanding of crime, and critically think about crime and evaluate competing theoretical perspectives of crime. In addition, know the nature and extent of criminality, and demonstrate an understanding of societal reactions to criminals
