LAWF 2513 Criminology Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
45.0401
Course Meeting Time

Monday/Wednesday 9:30a-10:45a

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the multi-disciplinary study and analysis of the nature, causes, and control of crime; measurement of crime; the interactive roles of the system, victim, and offender.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
CRJ 912
IAI Title
Criminology, Introduction
Explanation of Course Alignment

This course provides an introduction to the field of criminology, providing an overview of the issues involved in defining, measuring, and explaining crime. Students will learn about the field of criminology, examine general characteristics of crime and criminals, review early and contemporary theories which attempt to explain criminal behavior, and discuss crime in the modern world.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Dr. Melvina Calvin-Edwards
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
8158028834
Faculty Office Number
L340
Faculty Student Support Hours

M-TH 12:30-2:00pm

Faculty Information

Dr. Melvina Calvin-Edwards

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain each of the major areas of criminological theory including biological, sociological, psychological, and economic.
  2. Explain the various methods by which crime data are gathered and interpreted.
  3. Explain the influence of social and economic conditions upon delinquent and criminal behavior.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of the criminal justice system on crime, individuals, groups, and society.
  5. Describe the relationship among criminal justice agencies, victims, and offenders in response to crime.
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Criminology Today. 10th ed. Frank Schmalleger.

Methods of Evaluation

100-90= A

89-80= B

79-70= C

69-60= D

59-0= F


 

Attendance (5 pts/week) Image removed.

Writing Assignment #1- Image removed.

Writing Assignment #2- Image removed.

Writing Assignment #3- Image removed.

Quiz (4) 50 pts each Image removed.

Weekly notes or movie submission

 Final Exam Image removed.

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Extra Credit Option:

Up to 26.5 points (5%)

***Papers will be submitted through Canvas

***FINAL EXAMS may require students to write essay responses
 


Assignment 1: In-Dept Analysis of Classical Criminology

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By completing this assignment, students will be able to:

  1. Image removed. – Explain the main principles of Classical and Neoclassical Schools of Criminology and the contributions of Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke.
  2. Image removed. – Connect Classical Criminology principles to modern criminal justice policies and practices.
  3. Image removed. – Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of Classical Criminology as a theoretical framework.


 

  1. Image removed. – Locate, read, and summarize an academic journal article related to Classical Criminology.
  2. Image removed. – Compare ideas from the textbook and scholarly sources, identifying similarities, differences, and their impact on contemporary criminological thought.
  3. Image removed.

    Image removed. – Present ideas in a clear, organized, and academically professional manner using MLA or APA style
  4. Image removed. – Review chapter 3 on Classical and Neoclassical thought in Criminology Today.
  5. Image removed. – Identify and read Image removed. related to Classical school of Criminology. Complete the journal article review sheet and turn it in during class after submitting your essay. Sheets can be found in the classroom on top of the cabinet.
  6. Image removed. – Write a Image removed.(Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced) that: Image removed. Explains the Image removed..

Image removed. Discusses Image removed. (Beccaria, Bentham, Hobbes, Locke).

Image removed. Evaluates the Image removed..

Image removed. Critiques the Image removed. of the theory.

  1. Image removed. – Submit via Canvas in Image removed., with in-text citations and a reference page.


 
     
 Thorough, accurateMostly accurate explanation with some detail on principles and figures.  
 explanation ofLimitedor 
 principles andvague 
 

contributions of

Beccaria, Bentham,

explanation;

missing key

/10
(10 pts)Hobbes, and Locke;figuresor 
 demonstrates deepideas. 
 understanding.  
pts)(10Strong, well-supported connections between Classical Criminology and current policies/practices; insightful analysis.Some connections made to modern systems but lacking depth or support.Few or no connections; superficial or inaccurate analysis./10
(10 pts)Provides balanced, thoughtful critique of Classical Criminology with clear reasoning and examples.Provides some critique but lacks balance or depth.Minimal or no critique; relies on description only./10
 Journal article is clearlyJournal article is included but connections to essay are weak or underdeveloped.Journal article is missing, incomplete, or unrelated to assignment. 
 summarized and 
 

integrated into the

essay; connections to

/10
(10 pts)textbook content are 
 strong. 
      


 

     
 Essay is well-organized, Essay is poorly organized; frequent grammar errors; formatting incorrect or missing. 
 logically structured, andEssay is generally 
 

polished;

grammar/mechanics

organized; some

grammar/APA/MLA

/10
(10 pts)are strong; correcterrors. 
 MLA/APA style.  

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Strain Theory and Youth Crime

Image removed. Analyze the relationship between Strain Theory and youth crime.

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  1. Image removed. Review the chapter on Strain Theory in Criminology Today.
  2. Image removed. Select a case study of a youth involved in criminal activity. This can be from a book, documentary, news story, or news article.
  3. Image removed. Write a 2-page essay analyzing the case study through the lens of Strain Theory. Discuss how the individual's experiences of strain contributed to their criminal behavior and suggest potential policy or social interventions.

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Labeling Theory and Recidivism

Image removed. Investigate the impact of labeling on recidivism rates.

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  1. Image removed. Review the section on Labeling Theory in Criminology Today.
  2. Image removed. Find and summarize at least two academic journal articles that discuss the relationship between labeling and recidivism.
  3. Image removed.Image removed.Image removed.Image removed.Image removed. Write a 2-page response on how being labeled as a criminal affects an individual's likelihood of reoffending. Include real-life examples and discuss potential strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of labeling.

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 Demonstrates a thoroughShows a good understanding of Strain Theory; applies it to youth crime, though connections to the case study may lack depth.Shows limitedor 
and accurateunclear understanding
understanding of Strainof StrainTheory;
Theory; effectively relatesminimal or inaccurate
it to youth crimewithapplication to youth
insightful connections tocrime and the selected
the case study.case study.


 

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Provides a comprehensive analysis of the case study, with clear, relevant examples that illustrate how strain led to criminal behavior.Analyzes the case study with relevant examples, but connections between strain and criminal behavior could be stronger or more detailed.Provides a limited analysis of the case study; lacks relevant examples, or the connection between strain and behavior is weak or unsupported. 

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Offers insightful, realistic interventions or policies to address strain in youth, well-supported by theory and case study analysis.Suggests relevant interventions or policies to address strain; suggestions are appropriate but maylack strong connection to the analysis or case study.Provides minimal or unclear suggestions for interventions or policies; lacks relevance or support from the analysis or Strain Theory principles. 

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Essay is logically organized with clear, well- structured paragraphs that flow naturally; transitions enhance readability.Essay is mostly organized withgenerally clear paragraphs; transitions are mostly effective butmay not be as seamless or well- placed.Essay lacks clear organization; paragraphs and transitions are unclear or confusing, detracting from readability. 

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Writing is clear, concise, and free of errors; follows academic tone with accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.Writing is mostly clear, with few errors; toneis mostly academic, and minor issues with grammar, spelling, or punctuation do not detract significantly.Writing is unclear, with frequent errors that interfere with readability; tone may be too informal, or mechanics need significant improvement. 

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 Demonstrates a deep understanding of Labeling Theory; clearly explains its impact on recidivism, using terminology accurately.Shows a good understanding of Labeling Theory; explanation of its impact on recidivism is mostly accurate, though may lack detail.Shows limited or unclear understanding of Labeling Theory; explanation of its impacton recidivism is inaccurate or lacks depth. 
 Integrates at least two relevant and credible journal articles effectively; usesthem to support key pointswith specific examples and data.Includes two relevant journal articles but may lack effective integration or detailed support from examples/data.Provides minimal or weakly relevant journal articles, or lacks specific examples or data to support points. 
 Insightfully analyzes real-life examples of labeling and recidivism,Provides relevant examples of labeling and recidivism; connectionsExamples are minimal, unclear, or lack relevance to labeling 


 

            
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making strong connections between theory and examples.

to theory are clear but could be moreinsightful or detailed.and recidivism, with weak or no connection to theory. 
 Proposes thoughtful and realistic strategies to reduce negative impacts of labeling; suggestions are well-supported by research and analysis.Proposes relevant strategies, but some may lack depth or clear connection to research and analysis on labeling and recidivism.Offers few or unrealistic strategies to reduce labeling effects, with minimal or no support from research or analysis. 
 Report is well-organized with smooth transitions; writing is clear,concise, and free of errors, with an academic tone throughout.Report is organized and mostly clear, withminor issues in transitions, tone, or grammar that don’t detract significantly.Report lacks organization and clarity; writing maybe unclear or informal, with frequent errors that hinderreadability. 


 

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By completing this assignment, students will be able to:

  1. Image removed. – Define and differentiate between crimes against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, robbery) and crimes against property (e.g., burglary, theft, arson).
  2. Image removed. – Apply textbook concepts to real-world examples of criminal cases.
  3. Image removed. – Evaluate the similarities and differences in how society and the justice system respond to different categories of crimes.
  4. Image removed. – Assess the effectiveness of these responses and suggest improvements or alternative approaches.
  5. Image removed.

    Image removed. – Develop academic writing skills, including organization, proper grammar, and APA citation.

Write a Image removed. (Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced) that:

Image removed. Explains the differences between crimes against persons and crimes against property.

Image removed. Provides Image removed. (news reports, court cases, or local incidents). Image removed. Analyzes how the justice system responded to those cases.


Image removed. Evaluates whether those responses were effective, fair, and consistent with criminological principles. Image removed. Follows Image removed. for citations and references
     
  Provides aProvides a mostlyProvides limited or/10
  thorough, accurateaccuratevague explanation; 
  explanation ofexplanation withmissing examples 
 (10multiple crimessome examples:or showsweak 
pts) against personsdemonstratesunderstanding. 
  with examples;   


 

Image removed.Image removed.Image removed.Image removed.Image removed.
 demonstratesgood  
strongunderstanding.
understanding of 
textbook material. 
  Provides a   
  thorough, accurate   

pts)

(10

explanation of multiple crimes against property with examples; clearly

distinguishes from

Provides a mostly accurate explanation with some distinctions and examples.Provides limited or unclear explanation; fails to distinguish categories effectively./10
  crimes against   
  persons.   
  At least 2 well-At least 2 examples included with some analysis; connections to criminology may be limited.Fewer than 2 examples OR examples lack depth/connection to criminology. 
  developed, relevant 
Image removed. case examples are 
  

included analysis is

strong and

/15

Analysis (15 pts)

 connects clearly to 
  criminological 
  concepts. 
  Critically evaluates   
  how the justice   
 (10pts)

system responded to cases; provides thoughtful reasoning about effectiveness and

fairness; may

Provides some evaluation of justice system responses with moderate

reasoning.

Minimal or no evaluation; responses listed without analysis./10
  includealternative   
  perspectives.   
 Essay is well-   
 organized, logical,   
 and flowssmoothly;Essay isEssay is poorly 
 grammar andorganized butorganized; frequent 
 mechanics aremay have minorgrammarerrors;/5
(5 pts)strong;APAgrammar/APAAPA formatting 
 formatting anderrors.incorrect or missing. 
 citations are   
 correct.   

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Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650

Course Policies

Course Policies

Covid-19: KCC continues to comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health as we teach and learn in the COVID-19 era. Masks are optional. Time Commitment Expectation: At a minimum, the average person can expect to spend one to two additional hours outside of class. This time will be dedicated to reading the textbook chapter(s), answering study questions, studying for quizzes and tests.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Class Attendance: Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected. There are NO excused absences. To receive full class attendance points, you must not be late or leave early. Reading assignments are indicated on the schedule and should be finished before the topic is covered in class. Some important information provided during the lecture does not appear in your textbook, but you will find it useful for completing your labs, quizzes or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain handouts and information presented for any class for which he/she is absent. If a student misses four or more classes in one semester, he/she will receive an automatic “F”. Classroom Code of Conduct: Use of cell phones during class is not permitted. Use of tablets or laptops during class is not permitted. No texting, Twitter, Facebook, Internet surfing not related to Law Enforcement, No playing or watching video games. No sleeping. Please turn off or set cell phones to vibrate. If a call must be answered, please leave the classroom quietly. No disruptive side conversations while the instructor is teaching. If you violate any of these policies, you will lose that day’s attendance points and be asked to leave the class. Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog. FATS Simulator Lab, Apartment and CJ patrol vehicle Safety: Students will be allowed to learn through simulations in the simulated apartment and FATS simulator. Students will not be allowed to work in the simulated apartment Lab and FATS simulator outside of enrolled class times without prior approval or consent of instructor or program coordinator and direct supervision of tutor, instructor or program coordinator. Students must sign the college safety contract to participate in this course. There is also a safety contract students must sign in order to participate with the Criminal Justice FATS simulator and drive the Criminal Justice patrol vehicle for students with a valid driver’s license. Study Questions: Policy Study Questions can NOT be made up. Study Questions must be submitted by the date/time due. Any student failing to submit Study Questions by the date/time due will receive a zero. Quiz/test Policy: Quizzes and test can be made up. Any student arriving late for the quiz will not be given extra time to complete the quiz. Quizzes/tests may not be taken online outside of class. It is the responsibility of the student to request to make up the quiz or test within a week. After a week and the student fails to take a quiz or test, the student will receive a zero. Extra Credit Policy: Students may earn extra credit by participating in approved activities outside of regular class time. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, attending Teen Court sessions, volunteering at police agency events, or other community-based criminal justice activities as announced by the instructor.

-Extra credit will be awarded in the form of points added to course assignments or overall grade at the instructor’s discretion.

-Students must provide verification of attendance or participation (e.g., signed documentation, supervisor confirmation, or a brief reflection paper) within one week of the event to receive credit.

-Extra credit is intended to enhance learning and cannot replace required coursework. Points earned through extra credit are limited to a maximum of 5% of the final grade.

-Extra credit points are added on top of the 530 required course points. However, they are capped at a maximum of 26.5 points (5%), depending on the instructor’s chosen limit. Extra credit cannot replace required assignments.

All extra credit opportunities must be pre-approved by the instructor to ensure fairness and relevance to course objectives.

KCC Student Athletes Policy: All student athletes will be granted attendance points while participating in KCC sporting events, not practices. All missed labs, quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be completed within one week of the scheduled quiz or test. All missed quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be rescheduled during posted office hours. Incomplete Grade Policy: All course requirements must be completed by the end date of the course. An incomplete grade will NOT be granted regardless of the extenuating circumstances. Plagiarism: KCC defines plagiarism: Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Plagiarism includes claiming credit for assignments completed by someone else. In all academic work, the ideas and contributions of others must be appropriately acknowledged and work that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. Using an AI-content generator (such as CHATGPT) to complete coursework without proper attribution or authorization is a form of academic dishonesty. Students who use ChatGPT and other AI writing assistance should use it as a tool (generate ideas for writing) and not use it to complete a writing assignment. If you are unsure about whether something may be plagiarism or academic dishonesty, please contact your instructor to discuss the issue. First violation will result in a zero for the assignment. The second violation will result in “F” failing of the course.

Course Calendar

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LEARNING OBJECTIVE & ACTIVITY
1What isRead Chapters 1-2Introduction to course,
 Criminology? /WhereCourse outcome #1 & 2 metreviewcourse policies
 Do Theories Come and syllabus
 From? What is crime?What is
   the definition of crime
   that the authorof this
   text has chosen to
   use? What is deviance?
   How are crime and
   deviance similar? How
   do they differ?Who
   decideswhat should
   be criminal? How are
   such decisions made?
   What is criminology?
   What is therole of
   social scientific
   research methods in
   the development of
   criminological
   theories? How does
   the meaning of the
   word evidence in
   evidence-based
   criminology differs from
   the evidence foundat
   a crimescene or the


 

   evidence used in criminal trials? Whatis a theory? What purposes do theories serve? What role do research and experimentation play in theory building in criminology?

2

Classical andChapter3What is therole of
 Neoclassical ThoughtCourse outcome #1 & 2 metsocial scientific
   research methods in
   the development of
   criminological
   theories? How does
   the meaning of the
   word evidence in
   evidence-based
   criminology differ from
   the evidence foundat
   a crimescene or the
   evidence used in
   criminal trials? What is
   a theory? What
   purposes do theories
   serve?What role do
   research and
   experimentation play
   in theory building in
   criminology?

3

EarlyBiologicalChapter4Whatare the
 Perspectives onCourse outcome #1 metdifferences between
 Criminal Behavior historical biological
   and contemporary
   biosocial theories of
   crime?What are the
   basicprinciples of
   biological theories of
   crime?
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4

Biosocial and OtherChapter5Whatrole do genetics
 ContemporaryCourse outcome #1 & 3 metand heritability play in
 Perspectives contemporary
   explanations for
   crime? How does brain
   dysfunction relate to


 

   criminality? How do body chemistry theories – including those involving diet, blood sugar levels, environmental contaminants, and hormones – explain crime? What are biosocial theories, and what role does the gender ratio problem play in contemporary criminology?

5

Image removed.Coversmaterial in chapters1-5 

6

Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior

Chapter6

Course outcome #1 & 4 met

What are the major principles of psychological and psychiatric perspectives of criminal behavior? What two major ideas characterized early psychological theories, and what was the difference between them? How do personality disturbances explain criminality?

What are cognitive

theories, and what two types of cognitive theories does this chapter discuss?

7

Social Structure Theories

Chapter7

Course outcome #1, 3 & 4 met

What is the nature of sociological theorizing, and what are the assumptions upon which sociological perspectives on crime causation rest? What do sociologists mean by the term social structure, and how might the organization


 

   and structure of a society contribute to criminality? What are the three types of social structure theories of crime that are discussed in this chapter, and whatare the characteristics of each?

8

Theories of Social Process and Social Development

Chapter8

Course outcome #1, 3, 4, & 5 met

How does the perspective of social interaction contribute to understandings of criminal behavior?

What are the various social process approaches discussed in this chapter? What kinds of social policy initiatives might be based on social process theories of crime causation?

9

Social Conflict Theories

Chapter9

Course outcome #1, 3, 4, & 5 met

What three analytical perspectives on law and social order are described in this chapter? What are the central tenants of radical criminology? What eight emerging conflict theories discussed in this chapter purport to explain crime and criminality? What are the crime-control implications of social andemergent conflict theories?

10

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11

Criminal Victimization

Chapter10

Course outcome #4 &5 met

What is victimology, and what are the


 

   

various types of victims? What do official statistics tell us about crime trends in the United States?

Explain demographics. What kind of demographic features correlate withcriminal victimization? What are the personal impacts of criminal victimization? What theories of victimization does this chapter discuss?

Describe the development of victims’ rights in the United States, and explain how such rights are recognized. Describe restorative justice, and what it means to “make a victim whole again.” Explain victim compensation and victim restitution.

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12Crimes against Persons

Chapter11

Course outcome #4 & 5 met

What is criminal homicide, and whatare the key issues involved in explaining patterns of homicide? How is the crime of rape defined, and what are the key issues involved in explaining the crime of rape? What does the term child sexual abuse encompass?

What are the various

types of child sexual abusers? How is the crime of robbery defined, and what are the different kinds of


 

   

robbery? How is the crime of assault defined, and what are the various kinds of assault?

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13

Crimes againstChapter12Whatare the major
 Property forms of property
 Image removed.Course outcome # 4 & 5 metcrime discussed in this
   chapter? What
   constitutes the crime
   of burglary? What are
   some of its
   characteristics? What
   constitutes the crime
   of larceny-theft? What
   forms doesit take?
   What is motor vehicle
   theft?How prevalent is
   it? What constitutes
   the crime of arson?
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14

White-Collar andChapters 13-14Whatis the historyof
 Organized Crime/DrugCourse outcome #4 & 5 metwhite-collar crime in
 and Sex Crimes this country?
   What is white-collar
   crime?What are the
   various kindsof white
   collarcrimes? What is
   corporate crime?
   Political corruption?
   How do they differ
   from more traditional
   formsof white-collar
   crime?What are the
   causes of white-collar
   crime? Howdo the
   motivations of white-
   collarcriminal differ
   from thoseof other
   criminals? How can
   white-collar and
   corporate crime be
   controlled? What is
   organized crime and
   how does it differ from
   white-collar crime?


 

   

Identify some international criminal organizations.

What is the history of white-collar crime in this country?

What is white-collar crime? What are the various kinds of white collar crimes? What is corporate crime?

Political corruption? How do they differ from more traditional forms of white-collar crime? What are the causes of white-collar crime? How do the motivations of white- collar criminal differ from those of other criminals? How can white-collar and corporate crime be controlled? What is organized crime and how does it differfrom white-collar crime?

Identify some

international criminal organizations.

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15

Technology and Crime/Globalization and Terrorism

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Chapters 15-16

Course outcome #4 & 5 met

How does advancing technology produce new forms of crime? How does high technology provide new criminal opportunities? What is the extent of cybercrime today?

How does advancing technology produce new forms of crime? How does high technology provide new criminal

opportunities? What is


 

   the extent of cybercrime today?
16Image removed.Cover material in chapters 10-16 

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.