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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - CCJ6118
Tracking Number - 4824

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Current Status: Approved by SCNS - 2015-01-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: Change
Course Change Information (for course changes only): We are changing the name of this course to Introduction to Criminology Theory in order to distinguish it from the two new courses for the PhD program CCJ 7010 Theories of Criminal Behavior I and CCJ 7011 Theories of Criminal Behavior II
Comments: For MA in Criminology changes. Form missing required info for SCNS. Emailed 2/13/14. to Chair 5/2/14. Approved 5/19/14. To USF Sys 5/20/14. to SCNS 5/28/14. Appd eff 1/1/15

Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2013-10-05
  2. Department: Criminology
  3. College: BC
  4. Budget Account Number: 122100000
  5. Contact Person: Lorie Fridell
  6. Phone: 8139746862
  7. Email: lfridell@usf.edu
  8. Prefix: CCJ
  9. Number: 6118
  10. Full Title: Theoretical Approaches to Criminal Behavior
  11. Credit Hours: 4
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: N
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?: N
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Theoretical Approach Crm Beh
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 100
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites:
  23. Corequisites:
  24. Course Description: Provides an introduction to, and comparison of, major historical and contemporary criminological theories that seek to explain criminal behavior or the existence of crime in society.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for program/concentration/certificate change
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? See below.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.)
  29. Objectives: The objectives of this course are as follows:

    •To examine and critique sociological, psychological and biological criminological theories.

    •To critically evaluate empirical research designed to test theories.

    •To improve writing skills in preparation for the thesis, comprehensive exams, or dissertation.

  30. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

    1) describe societal reaction theories; biological, psychological, and sociological positivist theories; rational choice theories; social control theories; and integrated perspectives including developmental/life-course theories criminological theories;

    (2) evaluate and critique the logic of theories;

    (3) critically evaluate empirical research designed to test theories;

    (4) write a literature review of a body of theoretical and empirical work.

  31. Major Topics: Biological, psychological, and sociological positivist theories; rational choice theories; social control theories; and integrated perspectives including developmental/life-course theories criminological theories and societal reaction theories.
  32. Textbooks: (1) Ronald L. Akers and Christine S. Sellers (2009). Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application, 5th edition. New York: Oxford University Press.

    (2) Francis T. Cullen and Robert Agnew (2007). Criminological Theory: Past to Present, 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

    (3) Charis E. Kubrin, Thomas D. Stucky, and Marvin D. Krohn (2009). Researching Theories of Crime and Deviance. New York: Oxford University Press.

  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases:
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy:
  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests:
  36. Attendance Policy:
  37. Policy on Make-up Work:
  38. Program This Course Supports: Criminology MA and MACJA
  39. Course Concurrence Information: Criminology MACJA


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.