Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College · Courses
CRIM
63 courses with the subject CRIM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CRIM 100Introduction to Criminal Justice3
Criminal Justice 100 is an overview of the United States criminal justice system and the major components of police, courts and corrections. Students will engage in reviews of, evaluate and consider legal foundations, types and causes of crime, the development of policing, the influence and evolution of the court process, and rehabilitative and reintegrative components of corrections. Specific topics can include, but are not limited to, the extent of crime in the United States; competing and complementary goals within the criminal justice system; sources of criminal law; interactions between various agencies within the criminal justice system; and the impact of crime on victims. During the course of study of the criminal justice system, students will have various opportunities to examine how age, gender, race and ethnicity impact and are impacted by the criminal justice system at critical phases. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 100 Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
Introduction to law in society with a focus on criminal law, judicial code, laws of sentencing and corrections, ciminal procedure. CRIM (CRIMJ) 113 Introduction to Law (3) Introduction to the law is designed to provide CLJ majors with an introductory level of knowledge of the criminal law, and other legal codes such as the Judicial Code, laws of corrections, probation and parole, and the rules of criminal and appellate procedure. The course will serve as a gateway course to taking more advanced criminology and criminal justice courses. CRIMJ (CRIM) 113 is one of the Prescribed Courses in the CLJ curriculum and is used as a prerequisite for many 400 level courses including CRIM 467 AND 469. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 113 United States Cultures (US)
CRIM 201Presumed Innocent? Social Science of Wrongful Conviction3
The criminal justice system is a human creation and some errors are expected. Sometimes guilty parties go free and sometimes innocent people are convicted. In this course, we will employ the perspective of the social scientist to understand why and how wrongful convictions occur. How can social science help to predict, explain, and prevent wrongful convictions? This course is organized into three units. In the first unit, we will examine the large body of social science research that demonstrates disparities in all stages of the criminal justice system. For example, young Black and Latino men are disproportionately arrested, charged, convicted and imprisoned for violent crimes. This is partly due to these men disproportionately living in environments that foster crime, but social science research shows sometimes it's also partly due to the discretionary decisions of police, prosecutors, and courts. As a result, these demographic groups are most likely to be wrongfully convicted. In the second unit, we'll explore the factors in the justice system that might lead to a wrongful conviction, including false confessions, eyewitness misidentification, poor legal representation, government misconduct, and informants and snitches. Social scientific findings elucidate how each of these factors influence conviction accuracy. Finally, we'll discuss how social science research on the risks and factors that contribute to wrongful convictions can be used to improve policies to reduce the risk of such convictions. Simple reforms such as openness about plea-bargaining, eyewitness identification reform (e.g., sequential lineups, double-blind procedures, etc.), recording of interrogations, and introducing Innocence Commissions in every state can improve our criminal justice system. Cross-listed with: SOC 201 General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
CRIM 204Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System3
This course explores the complex relationship between mental illness and criminal justice involvement. Students will examine the historical context of mental health treatment, the criminalization of mental disorders, and the overrepresentation of individuals with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. The course will cover modern developments and reforms, including diversion programs and
IT 225N / CRIM 225N, Organized Crime in Film & Society, examines the relationship between criminological and justice theories regarding organized crime and the portrayal of the mafia in popular Italian American film. The course follows two simultaneous threads of inquiry: an examination of historical and theoretical models of organized crime in the United States and the state and federal laws that address them; and an analysis of how such models are depicted in American films and television about the the Italian American community. By the end of the course, students will gain key literacy skills by identifying varied definitions of organized crime and distinguishing between structural models, particularly La Cosa Nostra and network models. Students will also sharpen analytical and critical thinking skills through written and spoken interpretations of films and the scholarly approaches to studying organized crime (e.g. research methods). Throughout the semester students will also be able to apply knowledge of the social scientific aspects of organized crime to guide their observations and analyses of film and Italian American culture, thus refining Integrative Thinking across the humanities and social sciences. Cross-listed with: IT 225N General Education: Humanities (GH) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies
This course provides criminology majors a more in-depth understanding of the theories, methodologies, and research results within the scientific discipline of criminology. Students will first focus on concepts and definitions associated with theory development and research methods prior to applying these to historical and present theories of criminal behavior. Sociological theories and methods will be given greater weight in the course. At the end of the course, students will apply what they've learn to theoretically motivate a testable research question and outline this in a short research proposal. Throughout the course, theoretical concepts and evidence will be connected to current and historical criminal justice policies. This course serves as the foundation for later courses on specific substantive criminological topics, such as violence, race, gender, and neighborhood crime. The course also provides students the theoretical and methodological background for completing
The purpose of this course is to engage students in the social scientific research process used by criminologists to answer empirical research questions. Students learn to use social science research methods through instructor-led demonstrations and applications of research methods, data analysis exercises, and critical reading of published research. Students apply their research knowledge and skills to various assessments that might include examinations, quizzes, and/or writing assignments. After completion of this course, students will have acquired the ability to: (1) Generate a research question and effectively and efficiently search and review the relevant research literature. (2) Identify and justify the selection of appropriate social science research methods and designs to address specific research questions. (3) Strategically read published research articles to extract different types of information. (4) Differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning in the research process. (5) Interpret written summaries of quantitative and qualitative findings by identifying key patterns, themes, or statistical results and explaining their implications. (6) Evaluate the validity and reliability of research claims related to crime and social response by identifying methodological strengths and weaknesses in published studies. (7) Identify potential ethical issues in social science research scenarios and propose strategies to address them based on established ethical guidelines.
The purpose of this writing-intensive course is to engage students in the social scientific research process used by criminologists to answer empirical research questions. It is the second course (after CRIM 249) that overviews theory and research in criminology. Students learn to use social science research methods through instructor-led demonstrations and applications of research methods, data analysis exercises, and critical reading of published research. Students apply their research knowledge and skills to an empirical research project completed in a sequence of steps producing written drafts that receive instructor feedback. After completion of this course, students will have acquired the following knowledge and skills: (1) The ability to generate a research question and effectively and efficiently search and review the relevant research literature. (2) A working knowledge of how to apply social science research methods and research designs to answer research questions. (3) The ability to strategically read published research articles to extract different types of information. (4) An understanding of the inductive and deductive aspects of the research process. (5) The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data. (6) The ability to design a quantitative research project to test hypotheses of interest to criminologists. (7) The ability to summarize and explain in writing the methods used and results derived from studies seeking answers to a common research question. (8) An understanding of social
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Practical Issues in Criminal Procedure is a writing-intensive undergraduate course that provides students with an intermediate understanding of criminal procedure in the U.S. justice system. The course focuses on real-world issues faced by law enforcement and legal professionals, with particular emphasis on the Fourth Amendment and other constitutional safeguards. Students will engage with case law, statutes, and scholarly commentary through real and hypothetical scenarios. Topics include plea bargaining, trials, appeals, and the evolving balance between crime control and individual rights. The course also explores how legal decisions and social science research inform procedural rules. Writing assignments include a written evaluation of probable cause, a search warrant, and a legal brief or research proposal. Class sessions combine lecture, discussion, and simulations. By the end of the course, students will have sharpened their legal writing and analytical skills and gained valuable insight into the procedural foundations of the criminal justice system-ideal preparation for careers in law, law enforcement, or related fields. SOC 12 and CRIM 249 and CRIM 250 or CRIMJ 250 or CRIM 250W or CRIMJ 250W Writing Across the Curriculum
Legal Research and Writing is an immersive, writing-intensive undergraduate course designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the process of reading case law, briefing cases, researching legal source material and the basic forms of legal writing such as writing legal memoranda and legal briefs. This course will serve students considering legal education with an introduction to this form of writing. A significant component of this course is the writing-intensive curriculum, designed to refine students' legal writing and analytical skills. Assignments might include researching a legal question, writing a legal memorandum explaining the answer(s) to a legal question and writing a legal brief arguing a position. Students will have the opportunity to revise at least one (and ideally more) assignment(s) after receiving instructor feedback. Class meetings will be a blend of lectures, discussions, and interactive activities designed to expose students to the mechanics and basics of legal research and writing. J 250 or CRIM 250W or CRIM J 250W Recommended Preparations: It is recommended that students have taken six credits of other 400 level CRIM courses. Writing Across the Curriculum
CRIM 12 or CRIM 100 or CRIM 249 or CRIM 250 or CRIM
CRIM 406Sociology of Deviance3
Theory and research concerning deviant behaviors and lifestyles viewed as significant departures from a group's normative expectations. SOC (CRIMJ/CRIM) 406 Sociology of Deviance (3) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.Sociology of Deviance focuses on the theory and research in social construction of social norms, the violation of norms, and social reaction to the violation of norms. The course focuses on the role of social structure and power in the definition of deviance, on structural, cultural, and social psychological processes involved in deviant behavior, and the dynamics of social reaction to deviance. The course includes some content focusing on criminal deviance, but also emphasizes non-criminal deviance, as well as the role of social movements and social change in constructing and contesting deviance definitions. CRIMJ/SOC/CRIM 012 and CRIM/CRIMJ 250W are prerequisites. This course may be counted toward the credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Crime, Law, and Justice. It would fulfill one of the 400- level requirements in the 'Crime' component of the major. The course may also be counted toward credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Sociology for students with the Deviance and Criminology specialization. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: 3 credits of SOC or CRIM or CRIMJ Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 406, SOC 406 Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
CRIM 412Crime, Social Control, and the Legal System3
Legal and extralegal control; public opinion on crime; criminal justice and correctional processes; legal sanctions; control strategies. Field trip. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 412
This course provides an in-depth look at theories of crime and examines influential empirical studies designed to these theories. CRIMJ 413CRIMJ (CRIM/SOC) 413 Advanced Criminological Theory (3)Advanced criminological theory is intended to extend and deepen students' knowledge of core ideas in criminology. The course has four main emphases: 1) learning major schools of thought in criminology, 2) learning about the uses and construction of theory, 3) learning about approaches to integrating criminological theories, and 4) exploring how criminological concerns are grounded in and interrelated with core issues in sociology. The course is offered once a year with 50 seats per offering. CRIMJ/CRIM/SOC 012 is a prerequisite. Students will be evaluated on research or analytical papers, written assignments on course readings, and/or in-class essay-style exams. This course may be counted toward the credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Crime, Law, and Justice. It would fulfill one of the 400-level requirements in the major. The course may also be counted toward credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Sociology for students with a Deviance and Criminology specialization. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (SOC 12 or CRIM 12) and CRIMJ 250W Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 413, SOC 413
The impact of violent crime on victims, their families, and communities; the police process as it relates to violent crime. CRIMJ 421CRIMJ (CRIM) 421 Violent Crime (3)This course will examine the nature, frequency, and causes of violence, generally and of assault, robbery, rape, and homicide, specifically. Several different theoretical and research perspectives are reviewed, including biological, psychological, social, and cultural. The course also examines individual and societal responses to violence. Students are evaluated on three objective exams (25% each) and a series of short assignments (25%). CRIM/CRIMJ 421 may be used by both CLJBA and CLJBS degree candidates to satisfy a 400-level course requirement in the major. This course will be offered twice a year with 60 seats per offering. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 421
Examines the history, how victimization is measured/studied in social sciences, public policy implications of victimization movement in U.S. CRIM 422 / CRIMJ 422 Victimization (3) Victimology has emerged as an important area of study for the social sciences and an important arena for policy development. This course will familiarize students with the historical development of the research into victimization and the Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3949 importance of the victims' movement to public policy. Areas explored will include the relationship between victim and offender, the cultural images of victims and their impact on the victim and the response of the criminal justice system to them, and how research has attempted to measure victimization.The course will be one of the supporting courses where the student must select 6 credits at the 400 level. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 422
Legal, sociological, and psychological perspectives on sexual and domestic violence. CRIMJ 423 / CRIM 423 / WMNST 423 Sexual and Domestic Violence (3) (US) This course investigates violence against women, specifically domestic, sexual, and relationship violence. Students will examine some of the legal, sociological, and psychological perspectives about sexual, domestic, and relationship violence as well as the social and cultural roots of violence against women. Students will also gain an understanding of the experiences of victims of domestic and sexual violence as well as the issues presented by perpetrators. Students will be evaluated based on performance on exams, and two research papers. CRIMJ 423 / CRIM 423 / WMNST 423 is a supporting course in both the WMNST major and minor as well as a supporting course in the CLJ major. It may also be used to satisfy a GI requirement. This course is offered fall and spring semester with an enrollment of 60 students each semester. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 423, WMNST 423 United States Cultures (US)
Why do people take drugs? Why and how does society attempt to control drug use and distribution? What is the association between drugs and crime? Exploring questions such as these will be central in CRIM 429. The focus of this course will be examining explanations of drug use and the social construction of drug policies. We will begin by asking the question "What are drugs?" From there, we will discuss theories of drug abuse and the methods used to study patterns of drug use. We will also take an in-depth look at the histories, pharmacologies, and patterns associated with the most popular drugs in modern society. In the second half of the semester, we will focus on the social control of drugs and the connections between drugs and crime. At the heart of this discussion will be the causes and consequences of modern U.S. drug policies. We will conclude with a look at alternative drug policies and what the future may hold for drug use in America.Throughout the semester, you will be asked to think critically about material and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. To foster critical thinking skills, you will have ample opportunities to discuss topics in class, analyze arguments in written assignments and in-class exercises, and apply ideas to real world situations through course projects and presentations. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 424
This course examines organized crime in terms of historical antecedents, structure, related theories, and policy issues. CRIM (CRIMJ) 425 Organized Crime (3) This course will provide students with a historical and theoretical overview of organized crime. Students will gain an understanding of the structure of organized crime as well as an understanding of the businesses associated with traditional and nontraditional organized crime groups. The course will also provide students with a detailed analysis of state and federal laws and policies regarding organized crime. Students will be evaluated by two mid-term exams (25% each), an essay final exam (40%), and class participation (10%). Crime, Law, and Justice students may use this course to satisfy a 400-level course requirement in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science majors. This course will be one of the supporting courses from which students are required to select six credits. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 425
This course examines the American court system including structure and the way courts process offenders with special focus on sentencing. CRIM (CRIMJ) 432 Crime and the American Court System (3) CRIM/
This course studies sentencing from prosecutorial charging decisions through revocation of probation, and the complex goals and responsibilities at sentencing. CRIM 433 Sentencing (3) This course focuses on the key decision in our court system--sentencing. The course covers the historical development of sentencing both within the United States and internationally as a backdrop to the reform efforts of the late 20th Century. The course explores how sentencing has changed from a judge-based discretionary system to a system where numerous restrictions to judicial discretion have been imposed by state and federal legislatures. Students will be evaluated on two essay exams (midterm and final) with the midterm worth 20 and the final 30 percent of the grade. A research analysis paper will be required that will be completed in three stages. The first stage will be the setting forth of a research problem and a scheme for analyzing the data (10%). The second stage will be an oral presentation of the findings (20%). The final stage will be a written term paper on the project (20%). This course will be used by CLJ majors as one of the six credits of 400-level elective credits required in the major.
This course will focus on current, historical, theoretical, and research issues surrounding law enforcement in the United States. CRIM 435 Policing in America (3) This course is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the structure of policing in America and to explore findings from research considering police behavior. Students will examine and discuss controversial issues relating to policing in American society. Current trends in policing philosophies and strategies will be identified and their effectiveness will be debated. The relationship between police and citizens will be stressed. CRIM 435 can be used to satisfy a core 400- level course requirement in the CLJBA and CLJBS majors.
Historical and contemporary view of the juvenile justice system. Focus on analyzing components of the system, their interactions, processing, and handling of youths. CRIMJ 441 CRIMJ (CRIM) 441 Delinquency and Juvenile Justice (3) This course examines delinquency and the juvenile justice system from a variety of viewpoints. It looks at the problems the system is expected to address, how the problems have changed through the ages, how the current juvenile justice system developed, and the programs used to prevent and control delinquency and their effectiveness. By the end of the course, students should be able to think critically about the research and issues in the field. Evaluation methods include exams, brief writing assignments and a longer paper on policy issues. Students will be evaluated through brief written assignments, a term paper, a mid-term essay, and essay final. This course will be offered twice a year with 60 seats per offering. Students in the major may select CRIM (CRIMJ) 441 as one of several required courses in either the BA or BS program. This course is one of the core courses in the curriculum from which students must choose six credits from five core courses offered. It also serves as one of the supporting courses in the curriculum from which the students must take six credits at the 400-level. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 441 United States Cultures (US)
In this course you will learn about how crime levels vary across different types of neighborhoods and about the role of different socioeconomic, demographic, spatial, and informal social control aspects of neighborhoods in promoting or buffering crime. We will address the patterns, concepts, theories, methods, and policies related to communities and crime. We will critically assess theory and research on the effects of neighborhood structure and social organization on crime, focusing in particular on the classic and contemporary thinking on poverty, social disorganization, disorder, collective efficacy, institutional trust, cultural heterogeneity, segregation, immigration and how they affect criminal behavior and victimization. Through readings, class discussions, and activities, writing projects, and presentations, you will be given the opportunity to reflect on what you are learning and to apply the theoretical concepts to real-life examples and to new contexts in and out of the class. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SOC 12 or CRIM 12 Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 459, SOC 459
Explains how communities solve local problems by partnering with researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Demonstrates how such partnerships help communities tackle complex problems by clarifying their causes, identifying solutions, leveraging resources, and mobilizing stakeholders to act. Examines community-engaged research projects - such as collaborative efforts to revitalize neighborhoods, reduce crime & violence, empower youth, house the homeless, improve health, and promote sustainability - that address local manifestations of broader societal problems. Students will collaborate with community partners to design, implement, and evaluate problem-solving projects. Provides students with skills and knowledge needed to collaborate productively in community-engaged problem-solving initiatives. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SOC 207 or CRIM 250W Recommended Preparation: 5th Semester standing Cross-listed with: SOC 466
Law and society studies the social origins of law and legal systems; occupational careers, and decision-making of legal officials. SOC (CRIMJ/ CRIM) 467 Law and Society (3) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.Law and society teaches students' knowledge of key concepts and core ideas about the role of law in society. The course will cover the basics of key legal philosophies, major social science theories of law and society, research in law and society, the structure of the legal profession, and vital contemporary issues involving the role of law in society. CRIM/CRIMJ 113 and CRIM/CRIMJ 250W are prerequisites. The evaluations methods will include written assignments on course readings, and essay-style exams. Law and Society may be counted toward the credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Crime, Law and Justice. It would fulfill one of the 400-level requirements in the 'Law' component of the major. The course may also be counted toward credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Sociology for students with the Deviance and Criminology specialization. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CRIM 12 or CRIMJ 12 or CRIMJ 100 or permission of program Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 467, SOC 467 Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
/Maximum of 7 The focus of this seminar is the law such as the laws of sentencing, appellate course decisions and their impact. CRIM 469 Seminar in Law (3-4 per semester/maximum of 7) This seminar explores topics related to the law and will vary from semester to semester depending on current events, faculty research and other areas of study related to the criminal law. Evaluation methods will vary depending on the focus of the seminar, however, student evaluations will rely on techniques such as writing and presentations to enhance student presentation skills as well as evaluate their understanding of the course material. Students may take this course twice. This course serves as one of the supporting courses from which students must select 6 credits at the 400-level. It also serves as one of the additional courses from which students must select 18 credits under the Legal Studies Option.
CRIM 480HHonors Research Topics in Crime, Law, and Justice1
Supervised experience in planning the honors thesis and a criminological career. In this 1 credit Honors course, criminology students who are in the Schreyer Honors College, who are Criminology majors, and who are in the fall of their Junior year will begin the thesis research process with faculty supervision. The course focuses on a variety of activities and assignments that help students learn about criminological research, become acquainted with Criminology faculty research projects, develop their own research interests, identify potential faculty thesis supervisors, and develop a concrete idea for their Honors thesis research project in cooperation with a faculty thesis supervisor.
CRIM 481HHonors Information Literacy in Crime, Law, and Justice1
This one-credit seminar is intended for Scholars in the spring semester of their third year who intend to complete their honors thesis in Crime, Law, and Justice. This course surveys the structures of information, patterns of information retrieval, and the resources and technologies used to research topics related to crime, law, and justice. Students complete a series of assignments involving information retrieval and the effective use of information technologies. This includes working with their faculty supervisor and collecting information on the topic they have selected for their honors thesis. At the conclusion of the class, students present a research proposal for their honors thesis, including a review of the relevant literature and a schedule for completing the thesis during their fourth year.
Relates organizational and public policy management approaches to police, courts, and correctional institutions. CRIM (CRIMJ) 482 Seminar, Criminal Justice Agency Administration (3) In this course, you will learn about the nature of criminal justice organizations, individual and group behavior within the system, and the issues involved in reforming the system. This course will NOT teach you how to become an administrator in the criminal justice system, but hopefully will teach you about the issues and theories surrounding organizations and reform- and most importantly, teach you to think and communicate (in both written and verbal form). After taking this course, you should have a more accurate perception of criminal justice organizations and have a better understanding of the complexity surrounding the administration and management of these organizations. Criminal Justice Agency Administration may be counted toward the credits required for the B.A. and B.S. in Crime, Law, and Justice. Cross-listed with: CRIMJ 482
Select 6 credits from non-core CRIM/CRIMJ courses at the 400 level (including no more than 3 credits of LA 495, CRIM 494, or CRIM 499) Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1309 3 Requirements for the Option Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better Select an option 21-23 Requirements for the Option Business/Public Administration Option (21 credits) Code Title Credits
The internship in criminology (CRIM) provides students with structured work experience related to crime and the Criminology major. To complete the internship, students fulfill a time commitment in a work setting, compile field notes recording their experiences, and complete several brief writing assignments in which they systematically analyze that setting and their experience. Thus, the internship provides students the opportunity to integrate the knowledge they gain in their course work with the realities of the world of work. Most students find this experience invaluable for testing (and sometimes revising) their career goals and for establishing credentials and contacts that aid in finding a permanent position after graduation. The internship is highly recommended for all Criminology majors, regardless of their long-term career goals.
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
EDUC 399 - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3435 The Death Penalty 3 Crime, Justice, and Society in England, 1750-1914 3 Foreign Studies 6 Introduction to Communication Sciences and 3
CRIM 500Overview of Graduate Studies in Criminology1
An overview of professional activities of scholars of criminology and Penn State's program in this field. CRIM 500 Overview of Graduate Studies in Criminology (1) This course is intended for new students in the Criminology graduate program. Its purpose is to speed their transition to graduate study and to provide a good start for their professional socialization. The course offers an overview of many of the professional activities of scholars of criminology and of Penn State's program in this field. This includes writing, publishing, teaching, and seeking funding. A major goal of the course is to help students see beyond the immediate priority of success at course work to the longer term priorities of success in these other arenas. The course is organized around a series of guest speakers from the program faculty who will discuss a range of activities that are a part of the professional life of research scholars. It also provides a forum for graduate students to get to know the faculty. The tone of the discussion is conversational. Speakers welcome questions both about the particular topic of the week and about the speaker's professional/research activities.
CRIM 501Criminal Justice Organizations and Institutions3
Organizations and institutions involved in the formulation and implementation of criminal justice policy in complex social and organizational environments. CRIM 501 Criminal Justice Organizations and Institutions (3) Organizations and institutions involved in the formulation and implementation of criminal justice policy in complex social and organizational environments.
Survey of theoretical and substantive issues in deviance and criminology, with emphasis on critical review of theories. SOC (CRIM) 512 Criminological Theories (3) This graduate course in Criminological Theories is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the major theories that have animated the field of criminology since its inception. The course traces the development of criminological theories from the early 20th century to the present and provides students with a targeted exposure to empirical studies that have tested these theories. Cross-listed with: SOC 512
CRIM 513Theory Testing and Manuscript Writing in Criminology3
This course critically examines innovative strategies criminological researchers take to test theory, evaluate policy, and contribute to the field. With recent scholarly examples, the course overviews the feasibility and relevance of the various approaches for graduate research, culminating in the opportunity to apply a strategy to individual research and peer review of final course papers.
"Moral Criminology" provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of moral ideas, beliefs, and intuitions in the occurrence of crime and analogous behavior and in the application of punishment. How do we decide if a behavior is morally right or wrong, or if someone deserves praise or punishment? Under what conditions do our moral principles, intuitions, and emotions influence whether we follow or break rules or laws? Under what conditions do they influence our attitudes towards such behavior in others? This course integrates perspectives from criminology, sociology, psychology, and philosophy and prepares students to interpret and conduct research on the relationship between morality and crime. Part One of the course examines a variety of approaches for conceptualizing morality. Part Two reviews existing research on morality and crime. Part Three reviews existing research on morality and punishment.
This seminar involves application of the life course paradigm to the study of crime and deviance. This involves reading articles and books that address the temporal dimension of human lives within context. The first section of the course will review the principles of life course research and consider how this theoretical orientation has been applied to explanations of criminal and deviant behavior. The second section of the course focuses on some of the key concepts in life course studies: stages, transitions, trajectories, pathways, turning points, and linked lives, and then address how these concepts are used in criminology. The final section of the course identifies historical, inter- and intra-societal variation in life course experiences, as well as the macro and micro forces that structure movement through the life course.
This course is an in-depth, advanced examination of sociological and criminological theory, research, and methodological issues in the empirical study of the social and organizational environment of criminal courts and their sentencing decisions. The course discusses sentencing decisions as a function of the complex interplay between formal legal norms, the social organization and culture of local courts, the social environment surrounding courts, the interactions between court participants, and the social psychology of court actors. In addition, the course considers the pros and cons of various empirical research strategies in studying sentencing decisions.
Social inequality plays a prominent role in the explanation of crime and delinquency, despite considerable debate over the nature of this relationship. Some theories and research suggest that inequality causes crime; others argue that criminal behavior perpetuates social stratification, and yet others predict no meaningful relationship. This course will explore the relationship between social inequality and law violation by focusing on three questions: First, what are the major segments of inequality in the United States and how does criminal behavior vary across these strata? Second, does social inequality cause criminal behavior or does law violation generate social stratification? And Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1049 third, what are the roles of social processes and state policies focused on criminal behavior in maintaining and reinforcing inequality?
Through course materials, assignments, and class discussion, this course aims to provide a critical understanding of a variety of types of crime victimization-personal victimization, property victimization, child and elder abuse, intimate partner violence, and victimization in specific domains, such as schools, campuses, and the internet. We will explore the trends associated with these various experiences and potential explanations for why risk of experiencing victimization varies across individuals and communities. The course also aims to provide an understanding of the consequences for those experiencing victimization and the policies or programs aimed at preventing victimization.
Crime has been shown to differ significantly across neighborhoods of different racial composition and of different socioeconomic characteristics. Specifically, neighborhoods characterized by high poverty and high segregation are more likely to exhibit higher violence, higher homicide rates, and higher disorder. Moreover, growing up in a highly disadvantaged neighborhood predicts whether youth will be involved in delinquency, risky behavior, and violent crime. In this course, students will learn about the major debates and arguments in the field on how such differences can come about and what may be their consequences. Students will learn to recognize, identify, and apply criminological and sociological theories and thinking on the effects of neighborhoods' social structures on crime. In particular, we will focus on classic and contemporary cutting edge thinking on poverty, social isolation, disorder, collective efficacy, institutional (dis)trust, demographic v. cultural heterogeneity, segregation, immigration, and the physical environment. We will address the theories, methods, and policies related to understanding key features of places such as social (dis)organization, social capital, spatial embeddeness, opportunity infrastructure, and cultural capital. Cross-listed with: SOC 559
Preparation for teaching sociology and/or criminology at the college level. CRIM (SOC) 591 Teaching Sociology/Criminology (1) Preparation for teaching sociology and/or criminology at the college level. Cross-listed with: SOC 591
/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Students must sequence their courses so all undergraduate degree requirements are fulfilled before taking courses to count solely towards the graduate degree. Students are expected to complete the undergraduate degree requirements within the typical time to degree for the undergraduate major. In the semester in which the undergraduate degree requirements will be completed, IUG students must apply to graduate, and the undergraduate degree should be conferred at the next appropriate Commencement. If students accepted into the IUG program are unable to complete the M.P.P. degree, they are still eligible to receive their undergraduate degree if all the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfied. Integrated B.S. in Health Policy and Administration and M.P.P. in Public Policy This Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) degree program combines the B.S. in Health Policy and Administration with the M.P.P. in Public Policy offered at the following campuses:
Topics include overlapping theories in criminology and epidemiology, bio-social explanations of crime/deviance, and collateral health consequences of crime and punishment.
