Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	05/21/2024
Top Code	220800 - Sociology
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences (4)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 4 Social&Behavioral Sci (4)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU D0 Sociology & Criminology (D0)

Course Description

This course offers a sociological analysis of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system, emphasizing the intersections of race, gender, class, and sexuality in relation to crime and victimology. It explores the historical and social construction of crime, criminality, and social control, while providing fundamental theoretical explanations of criminal behavior within the context of diverse social identities. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: SOCI 160. C-ID: SOCI 160.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Course Outcomes
2. Analyze the nature, extent, and causes of crime using sociological theories of criminology and empirical research.
3. Evaluate the impact of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, and age on victimization patterns, arrest rates, charges, sentencing, and treatment within the criminal justice system.
4. Analyze historical developments and contemporary issues in criminal justice, including the evolution of laws, policing practices, and corrections policies.

Course Objectives

• 1. Define key concepts in criminology and explain their significance in understanding criminal behavior and societal responses to crime.
• 2. Examine the role of social norms in maintaining social order and social control across different cultures and societies.
• 3. Compare and contrast major sociological theories of crime, including conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and intersectional theory.
• 4. Analyze historical developments in criminal theory and their impact on contemporary understandings of crime and criminal behavior.
• 5. Discuss major sociological theories of crime through relevant examples and case studies.
• 6. Evaluate the principles, procedures, and methodologies used in collecting and analyzing data pertinent to the sociological study of criminology.
• 7. Analyze criminal patterns, trends, and variations of criminality, considering historical, cultural, and social contexts.
• 8. Assess various societal means and methods in addressing criminal behavior, including intervention and prevention programs.
• 9. Examine the role of law enforcement, courts, and corrections in enforcing, sanctioning, and punishing criminal acts within the criminal justice system.
• 10. Analyze the legal and criminal justice system as a social institution, considering its impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

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Lecture Content

Major Sociological Theoretical Approaches Conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism Intersectional theory, labeling theory, social learning theory, and strain theory Theories of social control, power, and oppression Historical Context of Criminal Justice Evolution of laws and punishment: pre-colonial to present Slave codes and black codes Criminalization of queerness Criminalization of immigration Methodologies in Criminological Research Data collection Ethical considerations Social Constructs of Criminality Legal definitions vs. social perceptions of crime Types of criminal offenses Violent and property crime White-collar and organized crime Substance abuse Deviance Intersectionality in Crime and Justice The influence of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, class, and immigration status on: Crime rates Victimology Criminal justice system involvement Feminist and queer perspectives Structural Inequalities and Criminal Behavior Social organization theory Impact of socioeconomic factors on crime rates Urbanization, poverty, and crime Structural explanations for criminal behavior Crime Prevention and Intervention Community based approaches to crime prevention Addressing root causes and social determinants of crime Rehabilitation vs. punitive measures Policing and Law Enforcement Policing practices and racial profiling Intersectional perspectives on law enforcement tactics Court systems and due process Correct ions and Rehabilitation Correctional theories Incarceration rates and the prison industrial complex Recidivism Restorative justice and alternatives to traditional incarceration Global Perspectives on Crime Transnational crime Intersection of immigration policies and criminalization Contemporary Issues in Criminology Cybercrime and technology Environmental crime and corporate deviance Intersection of corporate power and criminal behavior Critical Analysis and Debates Competing perspectives on crime control Balancing individual rights with public safety Ethical considerations in criminal justice policies and practices

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Textbooks: students may explore foundational theories and concepts in the sociology of criminology, providing a framework for analyzing and interpreting additional course material. Qualitative and quantitative studies and data: by examining statistical data and in-depth interviews or observations, students may evaluate the complexities of crime, criminality and societal norms, enabling them to apply sociological theory to a variety of lived experiences. Case studies: students may analyze real-life scenarios to understand how sociological theories apply to the criminal justice system and types of crime. Online content and social media posts: students may engage with contemporary online content and critically evaluate popular discourses on the sociology of criminology, applying sociological perspectives to understand societal attitudes and trends.

Writing Assignments

Research paper: students may conduct independent research on a selected topic, synthesizing theoretical concepts with empirical evidence. Exam essays and short responses: students may demonstrate their understanding and application of sociological theory to analyze and interpret various scenarios and case studies. Discussion boards: students may engage in online dialogue with peers, discussing course topics, sharing insights, and applying sociological concepts to analyze historical and contemporary issues.

Out-of-class Assignments

Preparatory readings: students may engage with assigned readings to prepare for in-class discussions and assessments. Reflection assignments: through reflective written, oral, or visual communication, students may connect their lived experiences or community observations to course content and theories. Research paper: students may produce a research paper on a selected topic, applying theoretical frameworks to analyze empirical data and prepare for in-class presentations.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking may be assessed through a variety of assignments and engagement with course materials that allow students to analyze and interpret crime, criminality, and social control from a sociological perspective. In-class discussion, informed by preparatory readings, allow students to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios, fostering critical analysis and debate. Out-of-class assignments, such as reflection papers and research projects, prompt students to connect social theories to their lived experiences and conduct independent inquiries into contemporary issues. Exam essays and online discussion boards serve as platforms for students to articulate and defend their perspectives and analysis, engage in dialogue with peers, and critically evaluate different viewpoints.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students may engage in essays that serve as a platform for them to critically analyze and synthesize course materials, applying sociological theories to real-world scenarios and contemporary issues regarding the sociology of criminology. Visual and oral assessments provide opportunities for students to creatively express their understanding and problem-solving skills through presentations, multimedia projects, or debates, showcasing their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Multiple choice assessments evaluate students' comprehension of foundational concepts and their ability to apply sociological theories to different contexts, requiring them to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Eligible Disciplines

Sociology: Master's degree in sociology OR bachelor's degree in sociology AND master's degree in anthropology, any ethnic studies, social work, or psychology OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Alder, F., Mueller, G., Laufer, W. Criminology and the Criminal Justice System, 11 ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2024 2. Required Cullen, F.T., Jonson, C.L. Correctional Theory: Context and Consequences, 2 ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publishing (latest), 2016 Rationale: This text provides an accessible, comprehensive outline of the major correctional theories through a sociological perspective. Unlike other texts, this resource focuses on the contexts and consequences of major correctional theories, addressing the socioeconomic and sociopolitical realities surrounding each perspective. 3. Required Alexander, M. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, 3 ed. New York: The New Press, 2020

Other Resources

1. Sociological journals 2. Supplementary readings