COURSE TITLE/ CODE

THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION

Course Description:
This course describes the role of theory in crime scholarship. It surveys the major schools of thought related to crime causation (biological, psychological and sociological) and particular theories
in crime and delinquency, places these theories in its historical context and reviews the primary assumptions of the theories and conclusions reached from criminology research.
Units: 3 Contact Hours: 3 hours per week

Course Objectives:
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Remember and recall major concepts of the theories of crime causation.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the biological, psychological, sociological and integrated influences on criminal behavior by distinguishing them from a variety of theoretical elements.
3. Analyze offender case histories and correctly applies the theories thereto.
4. Articulate and defend a particular theory as best at explaining given offender case history.
5. Articulate the different applications of the theories of crime causation.
6. Discuss the practical applications of the theories of crime in shaping criminal justice policies and relate the same to the social problems in the community.
7. Formulate solutions to the crimes experienced in the community based on the analysis made using concepts on offender rehabilitation and based on the various theories of crime causation.

POs PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS (PI)
A  Discuss the theories
of crime causation.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME COURSE CONTENT TEACHING LEARNING OUTCOMES
ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT TASKS
 Identify the elements of a  Elements of a theory; empirical  Informal Lecture Quizzes
theory and its components to be basis for criminological theories  Brainstorming Recitations
valid and scientific.  Supernatural Explanations  Buzz Groups Case Analysis
 Discuss the different  Group Dynamics Case Summary
supernatural theories of crime  Learning Portfolio Case Presentations
Online Activities
A  Classify theories  Identify the theories of crime  Foundational Theories  Informal Lecture Quizzes
according to their according to their perspective - Classical, Positivist & Neo-  Brainstorming Recitations
underlying and philosophy Classical  Buzz Groups Case Analysis
perspective and  Discourse the historical context  Rational Choice Perspectives  Group Dynamics Case Summary
philosophy. of the different theories of - Routine Activities, Broken  Learning Portfolio Case Presentations
crime causation. Windows, Rational Choice Online Activities
 Articulate the applications of Theory, Situational Crime
the theory and its role in the Prevention, CPTED,
creation of criminal justice and Deterrence theory & Crime
social policies. Pattern Theory
 Biological/ Psychological
Perspectives
- Biological Determinism
Lombrosso, Somatotyping,
Biosocial, Biochemistry,
Neurological & Evolutionary
- Psychodynamic (Freudian)
- Mental Illness and crime
 Structural Perspectives
Concentric Zone Theory, Social
Structure Theory, Social
Disorganization Theory , Strain
Theory & Culture Deviance
Theory
 Process Perspective Differential
Association, Social Learning,
Neutralization Theory,
Differential Identification, Social
Control/ Bonding, Labeling
Theory
 Critical Perspective
Conflict Theory, Instrumental,
Structural, Left Realism, Critical
Theory, Feminist Theory, Power
Control Theory
 Developmental Perspective
Latent Theories & Life Course
Theories
 B  Formulate solutions  Distinguish similar theories and  Contrasting similar theories in  Informal Lecture Quizzes
to the crimes present their similarities and Crime causation  Brainstorming Recitations
experienced in the dissimilarities.  Theories that shaped correctional  Buzz Groups Case Analysis
community based  Identify and discuss theories policies i.e. classical, positivist,  Group Dynamics Case Summary
on the analysis that shaped correctional labeling etc.  Learning Portfolio Case Presentations
made using practices based on the various Online Activities
concepts on theories of crime causation.
offender  Prepare a case analysis on given
rehabilitation and case where the theory and
based on the policy of crime causation can be
various theories of applied.
crime causation.

References: