Course Description
Cross-national variation in definitions, incidence, and prevalence of crime; the role of culture, structure, and globalization on crime and crime control.
Athena Title
Crime in Global Context
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course has three objectives. First, students will understand how the definitions of crime, incidence/prevalence of crime, and crime trends vary cross-nationally. Second, students will understand how cultural and structural forces shape definitions of crime, incidence/prevalence of crime, and crime trends. In doing so, students will recognize that successful crime control strategies must take cultural and structural context into account. Third, students will understand the role of globalization in the commission of and reaction to international crimes (such human trafficking and drug smuggling). Students will demonstrate their mastery of course content through class discussion, written assignments, and exams.
Topical Outline
I. Overview of Global Crime A. International Crime Statistics B. Cross-national Comparison of Crime C. Property Crime D. Violent Crime E. Global Crime Trends II. Structure, Culture, and Crime A. Crime and Society: Anomie B. Structure and Crime C. Culture and Crime D. Solving the Crime Problem III. Global Human Trafficking A. Introduction to Human Smuggling B. Human Smuggling and Immigration Law C. Illegal Channels of Human Smuggling D. The Organization of Human Smuggling E. Human Slavery and the Sex Trade