Introduction to Criminology: Unveiling the Criminal Mind
Price
TBA
Duration
2 Quarters, 1 Semester
Table of Contents
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The course objective is to introduce you to the field of criminology and its importance in criminal justice. You will learn about major criminological theories, different types of crime and their effects, and how the government records and measures crime.
COURSE FORMAT
The class meets 90 minutes twice a week (M/W or T/Th) for 20 weeks. Like all other courses in our curriculum, Introduction to Criminology: Unveiling the Criminal Mind consists of two components: asynchronous and synchronous learning.
We use the Criminal Justice 104: Introduction to Criminology course for the asynchronous flipped classroom portion of the course. This makes up 50% of your overall grade.
Your academy instructor will facilitate the virtual in-person synchronous portion of the course. This makes up 60% of your overall grade.
Asynchronous Learning
Criminal Justice 104: Introduction to Criminology course on Study.com was created by a panel of expert instructors who break down concepts with bite-sized, animated video lessons organized into topical chapters that improve comprehension and retention, making learning fun and engaging. Each video is approximately 5-10 minutes long and comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your "first exposure learning" during the pre-work phase before the actual class. At the end of each chapter, you will complete a chapter test to see if you're ready to move on or have some material to review.
You should expect to spend 50-70 minutes per week on these homework assignments. The academy intentionally schedules no classes on Fridays to provide dedicated time for homework assignments and out-of-class projects.
Synchronous Learning
Our academy instructor, who will also serve as your Gamemaster, will facilitate the live, virtual classroom sessions, which will supplement and build upon the Criminal Justice 104: Introduction to Criminology course. Additionally, they will answer any questions you may have about the asynchronous material.
We'll use the free, online textbook Introduction to Criminology by Dr. Shereen Hassan and Dan Lett, MA. Specifically designed for first-year criminology students, this unique textbook gives due attention to core foundational theories, while also challenging these ideas by exploring alternative, critical, and marginalized perspectives. After all, criminology is not merely the study of crime and criminal law; it's about how societies define right and wrong, grapple with justice, and develop methods to respond to crime. In keeping with our course's interdisciplinary approach, this textbook integrates insights from various fields like gender studies, class, economics, sociology, psychology, and biology.
Our in-person sessions are designed to make learning fun and interactive! Here's what you can expect:
Interactive discussions: We will delve deeper into key concepts from the asynchronous material and address any common misconceptions.
Team-based activities: You'll work collaboratively with your fellow students to earn points and badges, and climb the leaderboard as you embark on scientific adventures!
Labs and Simulations: We will conduct virtual labs and simulations to provide hands-on experience with key concepts in criminology, like social strain typology, deviant behavior, criminal victimization, criminal scene investigation (CSI), the criminal justice system, and more!
Exams
There will be a comprehensive mid-term exam over all content covered during the first quarter and a comprehensive final exam over all content covered during the second quarter. Both of these exams are weighted equally, and the combined average will count as 10% of your course grade.
COURSE TOPICS
Chapters: 20; Lessons: 135
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION BOARD
Each chapter features an interactive discussion board powered by Discussion Hero, a gamified platform developed by Northwestern University. Students choose between "hero" and "villain" roles and avatars, earning points for their contributions. This fosters a sense of competition and engagement, making discussions even more rewarding.
Benefits of Participating in Discussions:
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Go beyond memorization and passive learning by analyzing information, evaluating different perspectives, and forming your own conclusions.
Enhance communication skills: Practice clear communication, learn to articulate your ideas effectively, and develop respectful listening and rebuttal skills.
Fosters a collaborative learning environment: Learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on problem-solving, creating a dynamic and enriching learning community.
Deepen your understanding of the content: Actively engaging with the course material through discussion solidifies and expands your understanding beyond lectures and readings.
Provides diverse perspectives: Discussions expose you to different viewpoints and interpretations, encouraging critical thinking and broadening your understanding of the subject matter.
Offers opportunities for self-reflection: Examining your own thoughts and arguments in response to prompts and engaging with others' perspectives helps solidify your learning and identify areas for further exploration.
Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios: Apply course concepts to real-world situations through discussions, enhancing the material's relevance.
Build a digital learning portfolio: Discussions serve as a reference for your learning journey, allowing you to revisit key concepts and track your progress.
Develop digital literacy: Discussions provide a platform to practice online communication etiquette, including respectful disagreement, constructive argumentation, and responsible information sharing.
To actively engage in meaningful learning and reap the benefits mentioned above, participation in each chapter's discussion board is expected and will contribute to your overall grade. Your instructor will provide a clear rubric within Discussion Hero outlining the expectations for participation and how your contributions will be evaluated. This ensures consistent and transparent assessment while allowing you to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills throughout the course.
VIRTUAL SIMULATIONS
The Sims 4: Your Virtual Behavioral Science Lab
Imagine exploring human behavior not just through lectures, textbooks, and case studies, but by creating virtual worlds and shaping the lives of the virtual people (Sims) who inhabit them! Our innovative virtual simulations, featuring the popular game The Sims 4, bring key concepts in behavioral science to life in a fun and effective way.
The Sims 4 isn't just a game – it's a life simulation powerhouse, with some role-playing game (RPG) elements, that caters to diverse learners. This open-world environment empowers you to create your own narratives and experiment with theories of criminal behavior in a safe, controlled setting. Unlike traditional games, The Sims 4 has no set goals or win/lose conditions, allowing you to focus on maximizing your learning impact.
Throughout the course, you'll participate in various solo and team-based simulated challenges related to key themes and concepts in criminology. Your instructor will provide clear guidelines, including the theme, backstory, learning objectives, goals, rules, constraints, and scoring rubrics. Additionally, they may offer suggestions on other parameters such as storyline, Sim traits, or other demographic characteristics like age, marital status, profession, lifestyle, and socioeconomic background, to ensure a comprehensive and dynamic learning environment.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
If you're new to the game, you can explore specific aspects of The Sims 4 and how they contribute to our virtual simulations.
PEER-REVIEW CAPSTONE PROJECT
You’ve grasped an important and challenging scientific theory, concept or principle. Now it’s time to share your insight into this big breakthrough idea. In this project, you'll transform your scientific knowledge into an engaging video, honing your communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. You'll also have the opportunity to compete in the Breakthough Junior Challenge (BJC), a prestigious global science competition for high-school students with exciting prizes!
As long as the subject of your video relates to Life Sciences and for example, discusses brain function and physiology as opposed to strictly behavior, you are encouraged to submit your final capstone project to the BJC! Below are branches of Psychology that would qualify.
If your video is selected as the Winner, you will receive:
If you’re looking for guidance, you can see some of the prior years’ top-scoring entries here and the playlist below. But remember, to show ‘creativity’ your film should be as original as possible.
COURSE OUTCOMES
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Identify and explain the fundamental concepts that make up the criminology field.
Summarize the historical context behind various major theories of crime and criminal behavior, and the elements of the criminal enterprise.
Distinguish criminology theories and how they relate to modern research and societal experiences.
Compare different methods of measuring crime in the United States.
Evaluate different ways agencies collect and present crime data.
Define and categorize distinct types of crime, punishments, and societal responses to criminal activity.
Understand victimology, its history, and how it relates to criminology.
Analyze the impact of demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status on crime patterns and trends.
Critically assess the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies employed by law enforcement agencies and community organizations.
Discuss the ethical considerations involved in studying and addressing crime, including issues related to privacy, consent, and justice.
Examine the role of media in shaping public perceptions of crime and criminal behavior, and its influence on policy-making processes.
Explore the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and criminal justice involvement, and its implications for social justice and equity.
Evaluate the role of technology in both facilitating and combating criminal activities, including cybercrime and surveillance methods.
Investigate the psychological factors underlying criminal behavior, including personality traits, cognitive processes, and mental health disorders.
Engage in interdisciplinary approaches to understanding crime, drawing from fields such as psychology, sociology, economics, and political science.
PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course.
COLLEGE / DUAL-CREDIT
Criminal Justice 104: Introduction to Criminology has been evaluated and recommended by ACE for 3 and by NCCRS for 3 credits in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, and may be transferred to over 2,000 colleges and universities. If you're seeking college credit, after completing this course, you can take the online proctored exam at any time for an additional fee.
Your Instructor
TBD
