SOAN 356 - Crime and Deviance

This course examines how crime and deviance are socially defined. Special attention on policing, courts, and criminal law, including race, class, and gender inequalities within the criminal justice system. Topics will include the public myths of crime, death penalty, the roles of social stigma and mental illness, and specific crimes such as murder, white collar crimes, money laundering, cyber bullying, and sexual assault (and its survivors). Through class discussion, we will examine trends over time, contemporary views of crime and deviance, and the possibilities of restorative justice. The course offers opportunities to observe, interview, and hear from guest speakers who work in the system, offenders, and survivors. Where possible, class field trips to courts, prisons, or individual projects on policing where the student participates in a “ride along” program with local law enforcement are encouraged.

Policy will also be considered, including the consequences of criminal convictions and the movement towards community civilian review boards overseeing certain policing behaviors. No prerequisite. (Group I)