Theory and research on the relationship between criminal violence and social structure and processes.
Athena Title
Violence and 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)
Student Learning Outcomes
This course draws on qualitative and quantitative materials to describe and evaluate sociological perspectives on violence in modern societies.
Students will learn basic concepts, principles, and theories of violence and apply those ideas to incidents of violence that may occur in their community or society.
Students will evaluate different research methods and approaches to assessing the validity of violence hypotheses and research findings.
Students will learn how violence differentially impacts demographic groups and what steps might reduce such impacts.
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
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
