SSCI 3850U – Contemporary Theories of Crime

Criminological theory has undergone remarkable change and growth since the 1960s, corresponding to rapid social transformations. Indeed, the shifts in basic social relations and routines, the movements of goods and people, the organization and meaning of families and households, the character and definition of work and labour markets, the power of state and social control authorities – are intrinsic to how we now think about and respond to crime, criminalization, and victimization. This course explores the emerging questions and ideas that have shaped modern criminological thought. Attention is paid throughout to the contexts that shape the emergence and reception of criminological theories from the 1960s to contemporary times, and to the modes of social intervention that different criminological perspectives expressly or implicit propose. Central to the aims of this course is the development of competency in applying these perspectives to contemporary issues.
Formerly: SSCI 3810U
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): SSCI 2850U and SSCI 2900U