This asynchronous online course is designed to introduce community college students to the study of criminology. It examines the social problem of crime. Topics include the process of making and breaking laws and society's reaction to the phenomenon. It offers a multidisciplinary study of the causes of crime, including its distribution across social strata and demographics. Students focus on theories of criminal behavior and specific types of crime. Â
Included in this course are a course map and instructor guide, discussion forum prompts, and assignments. The course readings include an open textbook for each topic.
Accessibility Statement: Some videos may lack accurate media captions and transcripts.
Attribution and Licensing:
Creator: Curated and Designed by Joanna Crawford (Clackamas Community College)
Published: 10/20/2025
Relevance: Course based on CCJ 101 Clackamas Community College
Level: Undergraduate
License: CC BY 4.0Â
Explain the field of criminology and what makes a criminological theory.
Identify how crime is measured and what challenges occur with various data sources.Â
Describe early criminological theories that sought to predict and prevent crime.
Evaluate theories connecting crime causation to societal conditions.
Analyze psychological criminological theories and individual responsibility.
Review theories of methods for stopping crime.
Identify crime typologies and categories of crimes.
Explain victimology and the victim’s experience in the criminal justice system.
Describe various types of criminology research.