Criminal Justice (CRJS) 360

Overview

CRJS 360: The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour introduces a psychological perspective on crime, including the application of psychological methods to understand, predict, and treat criminal behaviour. Accordingly, each aspect of the course focuses on the individual factors (i.e., biological and psychological) that shape human behaviour and the disorders associated with them (e.g., sexual deviance, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), psychopathy). Criminal Justice 360 examines and evaluates the role of these and other psychological factors to understand the motives behind antisocial acts such as persistent violence, multiple murders, and sexual offenses. Throughout the course, you will acquire knowledge and practice in the application of psychological methods to understand criminal behaviour.

Outline

There are 19 units divided into 5 parts:

Part 1: Introduction and Background of the Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

• Unit 1: Psychology and Criminology
• Unit 2: Developmental Factors
• Unit 3: Genetic Factors
• Unit 4: Constitutional Factors
• Unit 5: Temperament

Part 2: Environmental Factors in Criminal Behaviour and Aggression

• Unit 6: Conditioning
• Unit 7: Social Learning
• Unit 8: Situational Factors
• Unit 9: Aggression and Violence
• Unit 10: Violent Offenders

Part 3: Violent Criminal Behaviour and Drug-Related Crime

• Unit 11: Drugs and Crime
• Unit 12: Terrorism
• Unit 13: Crimes Against Public Order

Part 4: Psychological Disorders and Criminal Behaviour

• Unit 14: Psychopathy
• Unit 15: Mentally Ill Offenders
• Unit 16: Multiple Murderers
• Unit 17: Sex Offenders

Part 5: The Role of Psychology in Preventing, Assessing, and Treating Criminal Behaviour

• Unit 18: Mental Health and the Law
• Unit 19: Treating Juvenile Offenders

Evaluation

Your final grade in Criminal Justice 360: The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour will be based on the grades you achieve on two written assignments and the final exam. Please note that the passing grade for the final exam is 50 percent. To receive credit for the course, you must achieve an overall course grade of 50 percent or better. The following chart summarizes the assignments for credit, their weighting toward your final grade, and the week each assignment is due according to the suggested study schedule:

Assignment for Credit	Weighting	Assignment due
Assignment 1	30% of final grade	Following completion of Parts 1 and 2; due by the end of Week 6 of the suggested study schedule.
Assignment 2	40% of final grade	Following completion of Parts 3 and 4; due by the end of Week 15 of the suggested study schedule.
Final Exam	30% of final grade	Following completion of all units and course assignments.
Total	100%

The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

The course materials for Criminal Justice 360: Psychology of Criminal Behaviour are mostly found on the Moodle course site. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the various course components. The time you take to get acquainted with the materials will help you to begin your studies with confidence. If you have any problems or questions, contact your tutor for assistance.

Textbook

Readings

All readings for this course are available in the Digital Reading Room (DRR). You will be directed to the appropriate readings throughout the course.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the CRJS 360 challenge registration, you must complete and submit two online written assignments and achieve a grade of at least “D” 50 per cent on the examination.

Assignment 1	Assignment 2	Exam	Total
30%	40%	30%	100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form