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Crime and Criminology
Crime and Criminology
January 9, 2025

This resource collection includes syllabi and assignments for criminology and criminal justice courses. There are syllabi for courses on green criminology, sociology of murder, and mass shootings. Activities involve introducing students to content analysis, understanding crime data, doing book reviews, and more. 

Hands in handcuffs
Jerrod Yarosh
The Fishing Net of Deviance: Catching Ideas and Not Criminals
May 16, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Criminal Justice, Criminology/Delinquency, Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100, High School
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

This resource focuses on introducing students to various concepts and ideas related to the sociological understanding of deviance and is based around the ideas of Richard Quinney (1970). This learning experience utilizes an analogy of a fishing net with different...

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The shores of a waterway full of trash
Michael Briscoe
Green Criminology
April 29, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Criminal Justice, Criminology/Delinquency, Environmental Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 300, College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This syllabus provides readings and paper assignments for a class on Green Criminology. The class is designed at the 300 or 400 level but can be adapted for a lower level course by choosing selected readings for each week. It covers topics including criminological...

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Prison bars
Cody Warner
Understanding labeling and collateral consequences through a cooperative learning activity
April 19, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Criminal Justice, Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

A criminal record or period of incarceration can result in social exclusion and diminished citizenship. In this small-group activity, students in criminology or criminal justice courses use the jigsaw method learn about labeling theory and the consequences of a...

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A chalkboard with the word theory written on it
Cody Warner
From Theory to Practice: Can our theories combat crime?
April 5, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

A range of theoretical perspectives in criminology seek to account for why some individuals engage in criminal behaviors and others do not. In this small-group activity, students in criminology or criminal justice courses use a modified DENT framework to translate...

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Crime scene tape
Cody Warner
Understanding crime data through a cooperative learning activity
April 5, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Criminal Justice, Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The amount of crime in our society, if that amount is going up or down, and what that all means has become a contested and contentious issue. In this small-group activity, students in criminology or criminal justice courses use the jigsaw method to learn about...

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A pile of guns and ammunition.
Karen Gordon
Mass Shootings Syllabus
November 19, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 400
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

While the public is captivated and horrified by mass shootings, there is disagreement among academics and criminal justice practitioners about how best to define mass shootings. This course begins by examining definitional issues and why these issues matter to our...

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Black square with white lettering saying "Representations of crime victims: A content analysis activity." image, black background.
Rena Zito
Representations of Crime Victims: A Content Analysis Activity
May 13, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This collaborative content analysis activity requires students to analyze the representation of crime victims in stock photos using Google image search. Students will identify patterns in victim characteristics (e.g., gender, race, age) in the images. They will...
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Stephanie Medley-Rath
In-Class Collaborative Book Reviews for Punished, The Tender Cut, and Hunger: Used in Juvenile Delinquency and Deviant Behavior
January 8, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Small
Abstract:
Tying an assignment to course reading encourages reading compliance. However, more assignments lead to more time needed for grading. Group projects are often used to reduce grading volume. Students often resist group projects because they have trouble finding time...
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Restaurant worker wiping down table with a black and white striped rag.
Jennifer Stevens
Stigma and Reentry: Hiring Restaurant Staff
January 8, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This exercise aims to demonstrate the power of stigma, as defined by Goffman (1963), on the lives of those who have been convicted of felonies in the United States. Inspired by the work of Pager (2003; 2007), students complete an in-class exercise to demonstrate the...
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TRAILS Logo
Scott T Grether
Analyzing Crime Data
November 20, 2020
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
This is an inquiry-guided learning activity (Atkinson and Hunt 2008) where students analyze longitudinal crime and imprisonment data and public opinion about crime. Specifically, students will analyze the violent crime, homicide, property crime, and imprisonment...
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