Criminology

Name:
Criminology (CLCR260v)
Department:
College Preparation & Career
Credits:
0.5 (semester course)
Suggested Prerequisites:
None

Criminology

Description:

This course examines criminology, the study of crime. Students will investigate the following questions: Why do some individuals commit crimes and others do not? What aspects in our culture and society promote deviance? Why do punishments vary for the same crime? What factors, from arrest to punishment, shape the criminal case process?

FROM THE TEACHER

Understanding the criminal mind is not easy. Why do certain people commit horrible acts? Can we ever begin to understand their reasoning and motivation? Perhaps. In Criminology: Inside the Criminal Mind, you will be given the rare opportunity to climb inside the mind of a criminal and examine the ideas and motivations at work. The mental state of a criminal can be affected by many different aspects of life – psychological, biological, sociological – all of which have differing perspectives and influences. You will investigate, not only how these variables affect the criminal mind, but also how the criminal justice system remains committed to upholding the law, through diligence and uncompromising processes.

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Student Feedback

The set up in this course was very organized and easy to navigate!
Sophia

I loved the format!
Ashleigh

This has honestly been one of my favorite courses I have taken at NorthStar.
Haylee

Explore Criminology

Criminology is designed for students in grades 9–12 who are curious about psychology, true crime, law, or criminal justice careers. It is an especially good fit for students who enjoy analyzing human behavior and case studies, and for those considering careers in law enforcement, forensic psychology, law, social work, or criminal justice.

Students examine crime through the lenses of biology, psychology, and sociology. They explore why people offend, how the justice system responds, and what it takes to build a safer society. By following cases from arrest through courts and corrections, students strengthen their critical-thinking skills, learn practical strategies for personal safety, and develop a clear understanding of how the justice system works.

What Students Will Study

Unit 1: Introduction to Criminology
Students define crime and explore the research methods criminologists use to study criminal behavior.
Unit 2: Biological and Psychological Theories of Crime
Students examine biological and psychological explanations for criminal behavior.
Unit 3: Sociological Theories of Crime
Students consider how social structures, communities, and relationships can influence crime.
Unit 4: Crimes Against Persons and Property
Students analyze major categories of interpersonal and property crime.
Unit 5: White-Collar and Organized Crime
Students investigate financial, occupational, corporate, and organized criminal activity.
Unit 6: The Criminal Justice Process
Students follow a criminal case from investigation and arrest through trial.
Unit 7: Law Enforcement
Students examine the responsibilities, practices, and challenges of law enforcement.
Unit 8: Courts and Corrections
Students explore the court system, sentencing, incarceration, rehabilitation, and corrections.

Format and Materials

This self-paced Flex course includes 16 weeks of content, with up to 26 weeks to complete the semester.

Unit readings
Real-world case studies and examples
Unit discussions and projects
Unit quizzes
Midterm and final exams
A cumulative project

No textbook or special materials are required.

Support and Assessment

Students can get help through office hours, Microsoft Teams, and email. Learning is assessed through critical-thinking questions, discussion boards, quizzes, tests, and a cumulative research project. This course does not prepare students for an external certification exam.

For the cumulative project, students investigate factors behind a specific type of crime and propose a policy or intervention that could reduce the crime or its impact. The final product is a cited, evidence-based report or presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Criminology a hard class?
The course is designed to be approachable. Students apply theories to real cases, so it is best suited to learners who enjoy analyzing behavior and building arguments more than memorizing facts.
Does the course cover real cases, and is the content graphic?
Yes, students examine real criminal cases, but the material is presented thoughtfully rather than graphically. Difficult subjects are considered through a Christian lens, with space to recognize both hard realities and the hope and redemption found in Christ.
What careers or college paths does this course support?
The course is a strong introduction for students considering law, law enforcement, forensic psychology, social work, or criminal justice. It introduces the theories, research methods, and systems thinking used in those fields.
Is the course discussion-based or independent?
The course is primarily self-paced. Most work centers on readings, videos, critical-thinking questions, quizzes, tests, and the cumulative project. Students also participate in one or two discussion boards per unit.