CRM 187 A-Z - (IS) Special Topics in Criminology

Semester Hours: 3

Current Special Topics

CRM 187A - (IS) Wrongful Convictions

Wrongful Convictions classes within Criminology programs transcend the one-dimensional approach of law schools with their singular focus on the law by recognizing and exploring this topic as a socio-legal phenomenon grounded in social science analysis, Sociological/Criminological theory, and within the wider social context.

A tentative topics list includes history, causes, consequences, legal procedures, public policy, system reforms, and the innocence movement with more to be added.

CRM 187G - International Human Rights Law

The course is designed to provide students with an overview of international human rights law. The course will focus on the core international human rights instruments and mechanisms that support the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. Current States’ reports under examination by key United Nations human rights treaty bodies as well as country-specific situations under consideration of the UN Human Rights System, will be showcased during the course to contextualize the subject matter and how international human rights standards can further social justice efforts.

CRM 187Z - Violence and Society

Even though the study of violence is an important part of sociology, its study has been pushed to the margins of our discipline. We rarely take the time to reflect on this prevalent social fact. And when we do it, it is to morally judge the agents of violence. But what is violence? Is it only a physical phenomenon? Do we only experience violence individually, or is it also a collective experience? What are the sources of organized violence? Do social structures and institutions produce violence? Do power and domination relate to violence? Is the use of violence a rational enterprise? Violence and Society explores these and other important social inquiries. To do so, it takes a marked structural approach to the examination of violence. The readings selected focus - not exclusively but mainly- on how the State produces violence and how non-state organizations implement violence to match, respond to, and/or contest what they perceive as State, economic, and/or cultural violence.

Crosslisted as SOC 187Z  

Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
May be repeated for credit when topics vary. As individual subjects are offered, each is assigned a letter (A-Z) which is affixed to the course number. Students may take up to two (6 s.h.) of these courses in fulfillment of the electives requirement for their Criminology major or minor, so long as each special topics course has a different letter designation. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule.

View Course Offering(s):

Fall 2025

January 2026

Spring 2026