Course: CJS 350. Criminological Theory (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 250 or CJS 102 or CJS 302 or permission of instructor. This course provides a foundational understanding of criminological theory, including its historical development and application to contemporary issues in crime and justice. Students will explore the diverse theoretical traditions underpinning the field, including established and emerging biosocial, control, learning, strain, conflict, life course, labeling, and critical theories. Contributions from historically underrepresented theorists and new theoretical directions will also be examined. Special attention will be placed on examining how different theories explain the roles of social structure, identity (gender, race, ethnicity, indigeneity, class, sexuality/sexual orientation, and others) and context (time, place) in shaping our understanding of crime.