Criminal Justice (CRJS) 360
The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

This version of CRJS 360 closed October 5, 2005. To current version.

Delivery mode: Individualized study or Grouped study
Credits: 3 - Applied Studies
Prerequisite: None (prior course in psychology is recommended)
Centre: Centre for State and Legal Studies
Challenge for Credit: CRJS 360 has a Challenge for Credit option. Students challenging CRJS 360 will be required to complete two online written assignments (the password needed to access the assignments is in the course package) in addition to writing a challenge examination. Challenge students are subject to the same student evaluation weighting requirements as individualized study students.
Learn more online: CRJS 360 home page

>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Course Fees| Course Availability


Overview

CRJS 360: The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour introduces a psychological perspective on crime, including the application of psychological methods to understanding, predicting, and treating criminal behaviour. Accordingly, each aspect of the course focuses on the individual (i.e., biological and psychological) factors in human behaviour and disorders associated with them (e.g., sexual deviance, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, psychopathy). CRJS 360 examines and evaluates the role of these and other psychological factors in understanding the motives behind antisocial acts, such as persistent violence, multiple murders, and sexual offenses. Throughout the course, students will acquire knowledge and practice in the application of psychological methods to understanding criminal behaviour.

Outline

CRJS 360 comprises fifteen units that are grouped into four major parts as follows:

  • Part 1: Background to the Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
    • Unit 1: Psychology and Criminology
    • Unit 2: Developmental Factors
  • Part 2: Biological Factors in Criminal Behaviour
    • Unit 3: Constitutional Factors
    • Unit 4: Genetic Factors
    • Unit 5: Temperament
    • Unit 6: Psychopathy
  • Part 3: Learning Factors in Criminal Behaviour
    • Unit 7: Conditioning
    • Unit 8: Social Learning
    • Unit 9: Situational Factors
    • Unit 10: Drugs and Crime
  • Part 4: Psychological Disorders and Criminal Behaviour
    • Unit 11: Mentally Ill Offenders
    • Unit 12: Aggression and Violence
    • Unit 13: Violent Offenders
    • Unit 14: Multiple Murderers
    • Unit 15: Sex Offenders

    • Evaluation

    To receive credit for CRJS 360, students must achieve a grade of at least "D" 50 per cent on the course assignments and a grade of at least 50 per cent on the final exam. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

    Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Final ExamTotal
    20%30%50%100%

    Course Materials

    Textbook

    Bartol, C. R. (2002). Criminal behavior: A psychosocial approach (6th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Other Material

    The course materials include a print Study Guide and Student Manual. The online course components are accessible to students through any Internet browser (preferably Internet Explorer) at: www.athabascau.ca/courses/crjs/360/.

    These components include the course Web site, with links to online learning materials and assignments, unit self-tests, and a Digital Reading Room containing reading assignments that are in addition to the textbook.
    Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
    Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

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    Opened in Revision 1, July 16, 2004
    This page was created by G. Zahara