Criminological Theory (SOC*2700)

Code and section: SOC*2700*01

Term: Winter 2025

Instructor: Tandeep Sidhu

Details

SOC*2700 Criminological Theory
University of Guelph
College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Winter 2025

Land Acknowledgement
The University of Guelph resides on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. The institution’s campuses resided within the Dish with One Spoon Treaty. I recognize the land this institution is situated on is home to many past, present, and future First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Instructor Information
Name: Tandeep Sidhu
Email:
Office Location:
Office Hours:

Course Information
Course Location: Alexander Hall (ALEX) 200
Course Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:20 PM
Prerequisites: SOC*1500 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Teaching Assistant Information
Name:
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Course Description
This course provides students with an introduction to different theoretical perspectives, from the 18th century to our contemporary moment, that offer explanations for crime, deviance, the management of and response to crime, and society’s understanding of crime. In addition to exploring the policy and social implications of these perspectives, this course critically discusses how factors like racism, sexism, colonialism, and other structures of power influenced the development of many of these approaches. This course blends theory with multimedia components to discuss the ongoing relevance of criminological theory and its applicability to many issues in society and the justice system. The theoretical works explored in this class may conflict with one another and this provides students the opportunity to examine the merits and weaknesses of each theoretical work explored.

Learning Outcomes
1.Students will develop an understanding of the central tenets of several theoretical perspectives explored in the course.
     a.Understand the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of theoretical approaches explored in the course.
     b.Develop an understanding of the continuing evolution of criminological theory, and the influence of the perspectives explored in the course.
     c.Students will demonstrate the capacity to incorporate a number of different theoretical perspectives to explain concepts and phenomena in the social world; while contrasting the strengths       
        and limitations of each of these perspectives.
     d.Develop an understanding of how the theoretical perspectives in this course influenced public policy, within the criminal justice system and beyond.
     e.Understand how power (economic, political, and/or social) influenced the development and application of these theoretical perspectives.
     f.Engage with the limitations of these theoretical perspectives, critique their central assumptions, and outline the direction for future research.
2.Course deliverables seek to improve student skillset, particularly in the area of essay writing, critical thinking, and evidence synthesis.
     a.Demonstrate how to use the PEEL method to effectively articulate their main arguments in research essays, while incorporating existing research to support that argument.
     b.Engage in critical discussion with peers to highlight how theoretical concepts can be used to explain certain issues in the field of criminal justice.
     c.Understand how to effectively format their essays for writing at the university level.
     d.Demonstrate the capacity to communicate effectively through the incorporation of research evidence, professional and precise language, and the use of writing conventions expected of
         undergraduate students.
     e.Demonstrate the capacity to think critically, through the completion of writing assignments and deliverables.

Required Resources
1.Selected chapters and articles provided on CourseLink as PDF documents.
2.Adobe Acrobat or another software capable of opening PDFs.
3.There is no textbook for this course.

Syllabus