Subject: Elective: Secular

Criminology

Course Provider:

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Credits: 0.5

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Available via Excel High School

Course Description

Why do people commit crimes? In this course, students are introduced to the basic concepts of criminology, which is the study of criminal behavior. Students will learn about the different types of crime and why and who usually commits them. Whether you plan on pursuing a career in law or law enforcement, psychology, crime scene investigation, or just want to understand why some people behave the way they do, this course will provide a fascinating look at this growing field of study.

Textbook: Criminology - © Excel Education Systems, Inc. - 2020

Course Objectives

Define criminology and list the major classifications of criminal offenses.

Describe how neighborhoods become disorganized and how it affects crime rates.

Explain how learning theories explain crime.

List ways in which anomie and strain theories explain crime and its sources.

Describe control theories and ways in which they differ from strain and learning theories.

Differentiate between static and dynamic factors and discuss the traits of effective and ineffective rehabilitation programs.

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Course Contents

Modules
Module 1: Criminology Introduction
Module 2: Crime and Societies
Module 3: Crime and the Community
Module 4: Crime and Group Culture
Module 5: Control
Module 6: Labeling
Module 7: Crime Risk Factors
Module 8: Juvenile Crime
Module 9: How Crime Affects Society
Module 10: The Justice System

Recommended Prerequisites

Carnegie Credits Explained: Our Approach vs. Trimester Credits

Carnegie Credit System
Northgate Academy follows the Carnegie Credit system, a widely recognized method of measuring student progress based on instructional hours. A single Carnegie credit reflects approximately 120 hours of coursework, typically completed over a full academic year.

Carnegie Credit vs. Trimester Credit
While Carnegie credits are awarded based on total hours over a year, trimester credits divide the school year into three terms. In a trimester system, students complete courses in shorter, intensive sessions, often earning partial credits (e.g., 0.33 or 0.5 per term). In contrast, Northgate’s use of Carnegie credits ensures students have ample time to engage deeply with the material and develop a well-rounded understanding at a consistent pace.