Course Description
Theory and research on the relationship between criminal violence and social structure and processes.
Athena Title
VIOLENCE & SOCIETY
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course introduces a sociological and social psychological perspective on violence in modern societies. On completion of this course, students should: 1) be familiar with basic concepts, principles, and theories; (2) be able to apply those ideas to incidents of violence that may occur in their community or society; (3) be familiar with several different research methods and approaches to assessing the validity of violence hypotheses; and (4) be familiar with some important studies and findings.
Topical Outline
The following topics may be covered in this course: 1. Violence and the Law 2. Measures of Violence 3. Violence in Other Times and Places 4. Theories of Violence 5. Homicides and Assaults 6. Intimate Partner and Family Violence 7. Robbery and Other Instrumental Aggression 8. Rape and Sexual Assault 9. Mass Murder and Serial Murder 10. Hate Crimes 11. The Role of Guns, Drugs, and Alcohol 12. Prevention and Intervention Strategies 13. Riots and Other Violent Collective Behavior 14. Terrorism and Violent Social Movements
Syllabus