Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Criminology Spring 2026
Undergraduate
CRIM 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
Overview of the American system of criminal justice, covering theories of justice, criminal law, policing, courts and associated pre and post-trial legal processes, punishment and corrections, and juvenile justice. Required for all criminology majors and minors. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Social/Behavioral Sciences
Specialized Designation: Mason Impact.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
CRIM 210: Introduction to Criminology (3 Credits)
Explores and evaluates how crime is defined and measured, and examines crime patterns and trends. Provides an overview and critical assessment of the major theories of crime causation. Notes: CRIM majors who are concentrating in criminal justice are strongly encouraged to take this course before or during the first semester of taking upper-level courses in the concentration. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 210 - 001: Introduction to Criminology — Jin R. Lee — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM T - Innovation Hall 132
- CRIM 210 - DL1: Introduction to Criminology — Auzeen Shariati - Online
CRIM 220: Introduction to Law and Society (3 Credits)
Introduces the relationship between law and society. Discusses theoretical perspectives from a number of social science disciplines. Promotes a foundational understanding of the concept of law and the origins, development, and role of law in society, particularly outside of formal legal institutions. Topics covered may include legal mobilization, law and social change, social movements, law and inequality, and law's relationship to social control. Notes: CRIM majors who are concentrating in Law and Society are strongly encouraged to take this course before or during the first semester of taking upper-level courses in the concentration. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 220 - 001: Introduction Law and Society — John R Murphy — 09:00 AM to 10:15 AM MW
CRIM 302: Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System (3 Credits)
Presents theories of juvenile delinquency and societal reactions to it, gender differences in rates and types, historical overview, development of juvenile justice system, and critical assessment of juvenile justice and its alternative. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 302 - 001: Delinquency and Juv. Justice — Cesar J. Rebellon — 05:55 PM to 07:10 PM TR - Horizon Hall 3012
CRIM 306: Criminal Justice Ethics (3 Credits)
Analyzes ethical principles relevant for those working in criminal justice. Required for all criminology majors. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
CRIM 307: Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice (3 Credits)
Explores the significance of social inequality (especially race and gender inequality) for several crime and criminal justice issues. Examines variations in criminal offending and victimization, and explores disparities in criminal justice processing. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Mason Impact.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 307 - 001: Social Inequality/Crime/Justic — Marie Mele Thomas — 09:00 AM to 10:15 AM TR - Innovation Hall 223
- CRIM 307 - DL1: Social Inequality/Crime/Justic — Andrew Novak - Online
- CRIM 307 - DL2: Social Inequality/Crime/Justic — Andrew Novak - Online
CRIM 308: Human Rights and Justice (3 Credits)
Studies the norms, laws, and systems for the promotion and protection of human rights. Provides a foundation for understanding historical, legal, political, economic, and ethical aspects of human rights. Examines ideological and cultural perspectives, sources of violations, the United Nations, regional and national mechanisms, special issues (e.g., women, torture, children, minorities), and the role of nongovernmental organizations. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 308 - 001: Human Rights and Justice — Parwez Besmel — 09:00 AM to 10:15 AM M - Horizon Hall 3012 - Hybrid
- CRIM 308 - DL1: Human Rights and Justice — Andrew Novak - Online
CRIM 401: Policing in America (3 Credits)
Fundamental issues relevant to contemporary public policing in America: role and history of police; impact on crime, disorder, and other social problems; discretion and its control; moral hazards; police legitimacy and public support; police culture and the police organization; and community policing. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 401 - DL1: Policing in America — Will Jarvis — Stephen F Bamford - Online
CRIM 402: Punishment and Corrections (3 Credits)
Covers theories on forms of punishment systems; punishment and corrections as a product of historical, cultural, and political changes; differences by race and gender in punishment and corrections; problems of social control and violence in prisons; alternative rehabilitation; and community prevention strategies. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Mason Impact.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 402 - 001: Punishment and Corrections — Heather Toronjo — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM M - Horizon Hall 3012
- CRIM 402 - DL1: Punishment and Corrections — Janani Umamaheswar - Online
CRIM 423: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties (3 Credits)
Studies First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion; the right to privacy; and Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to GOVT 423.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
CRIM 490: Special Topics (1-3 Credits)
Recent developments in the field. Notes: Topics vary. May be used to fulfill requirements for different concentrations in the BS in criminology, law, and society depending on the topic. May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
- CRIM 490 - 001: Violence/Gender/Sexuality — David Powers Corwin — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R - Horizon Hall 1007
- CRIM 490 - 002: Advanced Intelligence Analysis — Terry Gudaitis — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM W - Peterson Hall 1106
- CRIM 490 - 003: Intel Brfng, Intrvwng &Intrgtn — Robert Grims — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 3012
- CRIM 490 - DL1: Gender and Crime — Janani Umamaheswar - Online
CRIM 490: Special Topics (1-3 Credits)
Recent developments in the field. Notes: Topics vary. May be used to fulfill requirements for different concentrations in the BS in criminology, law, and society depending on the topic. May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
- CRIM 490 - 001: Violence/Gender/Sexuality — David Powers Corwin — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R - Horizon Hall 1007
- CRIM 490 - 002: Advanced Intelligence Analysis — Terry Gudaitis — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM W - Peterson Hall 1106
- CRIM 490 - 003: Intel Brfng, Intrvwng &Intrgtn — Robert Grims — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 3012
- CRIM 490 - DL1: Gender and Crime — Janani Umamaheswar - Online
Graduate
CRIM 521: The Constitution, Criminal Procedure, and Security (3 Credits)
Focuses on understanding legal doctrines that form basis of U.S. constitutional criminal procedural rights and how doctrines develop, why courts rule as they do, and evaluating strengths, weaknesses of rights. For MS Students. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 521 - 001: Constitution/CrimProced/Securi — Marc Meyer — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 4001
CRIM 595: Special Topics (3 Credits)
Recent developments in the field or topics not covered by regularly listed courses. The course content varies. For MS sudents. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 595 - DL1: AI in Criminal Justice — Matthew D'Anna — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M - Online
CRIM 760: Evidence-Based Crime Policy (3 Credits)
Explores the theoretical and empirical support for crime and justice interventions and policies, and examines the translational link between research and criminal justice practices. Offered by Criminology, Law and Society. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CRIM 760 - 001: Evidence-Based Crime Policy — Cesar J. Rebellon — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Peterson Hall 2408