Criminology 1301(CE): Index Page (Many of these lessons and exercises refer to our course as Soc 1301 rather than Crim 1301; the Soc designator was used for years and although I support the change, I hope it won't confuse you if I don't eradicate all the Soc 1301 signifiers from your lessons and exercises this semester. Just mentally replace Soc 1101 with Crim 1101 wherever it occurs. Thanks.

This course provides a broad introduction to criminology, which includes the causes and consequences of crime, as well as the major features of the criminal justice system--not just how they're supposed to function but the way they actually work. It meets the requirements for Liberal Education Category 8, Contemporary Social Issues and Analysis. It is also one of three lower-division courses that must be taken by majors in criminology (and completed with an overall GPA of 2.5 or above, and no grade below a C).

This course is structured as an independent study, with the lessons, exercises, and tests available only through the internet. There are also videos to watch via streaming video from the Frontline web site(and in one case, to watch in the UMD library... Successful completion of the course requires the ability to organize and prioritize your time and to work independently. Unless you are willing and able to set aside regularly weekly time, comparable to the time you would invest in a regular course, you are likely to be throwing away your money.

This course will be structured such that you will need to complete one exercise or exam each week. The maximum you can score for a late exercise is 5 out of 10; the maximum for a late exam is 50/100. You are also welcome to work ahead. Unless you are a late registrant, the course begins the first week of each term (for summer, that means the first week of the May term).