This module contains select open access resources useful for introducing preliminary concepts and theories about society, behavior, deviance and crime, as well as how we research these.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and summarize methods of researching crime and deviance.
• Define and describe the history of criminology.
• Identify and summarize key criminological theories.
• Identify the relationship between theory and the practices and policies of justice in the United States.

RESEARCH

Tasks

1. Read What is social research? (2.1 – 2.3)**
2. Complete the section Quizzes:
   • 2.1 Approaches
   • 2.2 Methods
   • 2.3 Ethics**
3. Read about Defining and Measuring Crime and Criminal Justice (2.1 – 2.4)
   • 2.1. Dark or Hidden Figure of Crime
   • 2.2. Official Statistics
   • 2.3. Victimization Studies
   • 2.4. Self-Report Statistics*
4. Complete the Genocide: Misuse of Statistics Exercise*
5. Review the Measuring Crime (1.3) Lecture and Key Terms***
6. Complete the BlackBoard Quizzes for lectures and Key Terms Sec 1.3
7. Complete the Defining and Measuring Crime and Criminal Justice Critical Thinking Questions*

THEORY

Tasks

Topic: Understanding Sociology

1. Read Sociology (1.1 – 1.4)**
2. Complete the section Quizzes:
   • 1.1 What Is Sociology?
   • 1.2 The History of Sociology
   • 1.3 Theoretical Perspectives
   • 1.4 Why Study Sociology?**
3. Read Deviance, Crime and Social Control (7.1 – 7.3)**
4. Complete the section Quizzes:
   • 7.1 Deviance and Control
   • 7.2 Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance
   • 7.3 Crime and the Law**

Topic: Understanding Crime and Criminology

1. Read Crime, Criminal Justice and Criminology (1.1 – 1.6)
   • 1.1. Crime and the Criminal Justice System
   • 1.2. Deviance, Rule Violations, and Criminality
   • 1.3. Social Norms: Folkways, Mores, Taboo, and Laws
   • 1.4. Interactionist View
   • 1.5. Consensus View and Decriminalizing Laws
   • 1.6. Conflict View*
2. Read Crime, Criminal Justice and Criminology (1.14 – 1.15)
   • 1.14. Victims and Victim Typologies
   • 1.15. Victim Rights and Assistance*
3. Complete the assignment: Victim Impact Statements Video: Listen and Learn
4. Read Criminological Theory (5.1 – 5.12)
   • 5.1. What is Theory?
   • 5.2. What Makes a Good Theory?
   • 5.3. Pre-Classical Theory
   • 5.4. Classical School
   • 5.5. Neoclassical
   • 5.6. Positivist Criminology
   • 5.7. Biological and Psychological Positivism
   • 5.8. The Chicago School
   • 5.9. Strain Theories
   • 5.10. Learning Theories
   • 5.11. Control Theories
   • 5.12. Other Criminological Theories*
5. Complete the Measuring Crime Critical Thinking Questions*

Sources: 

*Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System: Open Oregon Educational Resources 

**Introduction to Sociology2e: Open Stax textbook

***Criminal Justice: An Overview of the System: Adam McKee