Certificate in Critical Criminology

The Critical Criminology certificate provides students with the fundamentals of theory and praxis that extend beyond mainstream criminological thought and that, instead, are grounded in a critical understanding of crime and delinquency that examines social harm broadly and state-sanctioned violence specifically. This program is designed to teach students how crime and delinquency are defined by those with power in society and shaped by social, political, and economic systems. The classes cover conflict perspectives at the micro- and macro-levels; this knowledge prepares the student to discern the role that the criminal legal system, system professionals, and the members of a democratized society have in creating andor decreasing motivations for criminal engagement. This curriculum is applicable to all responsible thinkers who will eventually become decision-makers in the system. PROGRAM OUTCOMES: By the end of this program, students will be able to: Apply theory, methods, and empirical findings related to issues of police, correction, and courts. Analyze a substantial body of literature related to police, corrections, or courts. Integrate criminal justice concepts orally and in writing. Evaluate ethical and moral issues in a professionaldisciplinary setting. Critique power differentials and social harms across micro and macro environments. This certificate program requires the completion of 15 credits.