Revised 8/2018

ADJ 247 - Criminal Behavior (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces and evaluates the concepts of normal and abnormal behavior. Focuses on the psychological and sociological aspects of criminal and other deviant behavior patterns. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an insight into the thinking and action patterns of various types of human behavior, including criminal behavior.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• define and explore antisocial behavior, deviant behavior, and criminal behavior.
• identify at-risk behavior, aggressive behavior, and abnormal behavior.
• explain the relationship between patterns of thoughts and behavior.
• describe the legal requirements for competency.
• explore various forms of mental illness.

Major Topics to Be Included

• discuss personality and the impact on behavior
• assess managing abnormal behavior
• explain suicidal tendencies
• discuss the legal requirements for competency to stand trial
• discuss the issues around mental illness
• explore criminal deviance
• discuss patterns of criminal behavior
• define psychopathy and sociopathy and their relation to criminal behavior

Optional Topics

Related topics at the discretion of the instructor