Course Name: CRIM 37095 Born Criminal? The Italian Origins of Criminology & Forensics
Description: This course will examine the history and legacy of criminological theory, the foundation of which was developed in Italy across the 1700s and 1800s. In this course, we will explore the work of classical philosophers such as Beccaria and Lombroso, examining how crime is defined, what makes a criminal, and how society should punish people who engage in crime. Then, students will investigate the legacy of these Italian criminological theories in criminology and forensics today. The course will explore how these theories influenced the development of the justice system and forensics across Europe and in the United States, and the implications of this work within the context of social justice. Students will be directed to critically evaluate how the justice system today serves as an institution responsible for protecting society and the “social contract”.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None