The Sociology Of Crime And Delinquency
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 142 pages
- 19 units
This course introduces students to the sociology of crime and delinquency. It explores the social origins of crime, criminal law, and the processes through which individuals learn and commit crimes. The course highlights the nature and extent of delinquency, examines key theoretical explanations, and reviews the legal framework surrounding crime and delinquency within the Nigerian legal system. Students will also learn about community reactions to crime and the administration of criminal justice.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 195 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CSS211, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CSS211 · UNIT 2: ADOLESCENCE, PEER, AND DELINQUENCY
The puritans viewed juvenile delinquency as being born in sin and on the other hand, they believed that special legal provisions, for the juveniles should be different from that of the adults. For the puritans, delinquency and sin were not distinguishable. The misbehaviors of the children were viewed as an offence against God and God’s law.
What you should be able to do
- Define crime and delinquency
- Explain sources of crime
- Distinguish between crime and delinquency
- Evaluate community reaction to crime
- Examine key theories of crime and delinquency
What it prepares you for
- Police Officer
- Security Analyst
- Criminologist
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections
- Social Services
- Security
- Legal
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Explanations of Crime and Delinquency
Unit 2: Psychoanalysis Theory
Understanding the complex interplay between individual psychology and societal factors requires critical thinking.
- Module 3: Explanations of Crime and Delinquency
Unit 4: Functionalist View: Anomie Theory
Requires understanding of abstract concepts and their application to real-world scenarios.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 90 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Extent and Nature of Delinquency
Unit 1: The Concept of Delinquency · 5 hours
Define delinquency. Explain various views about delinquency. Discuss early prohibitions of juvenile behavior.
- Week 2Module 1: The Extent and Nature of Delinquency
Unit 2: Adolescence, Peer, and Delinquency · 5 hours
Recognize concepts of adolescence and peer groups. Explain biological and psychological perspectives. Discuss physiological and social characteristics.
- Week 3Module 1: The Extent and Nature of Delinquency
Unit 3: Family and Delinquency · 5 hours
Recognize the concept of family as related to delinquency. Explain alarmist and reassuring views. Discuss sociological explanations influencing delinquency.
- Week 4Module 1: The Extent and Nature of Delinquency
Unit 4: Drug, Youth and Delinquency · 5 hours
Identify classes of drugs abused by youth. Explain drug use and its effects. Explore how youths learn to commit crime.
- Week 5Module 1: The Extent and Nature of Delinquency
Unit 5: Family Court (Juvenile Court) · 5 hours
Discuss the concept of the family court. Explain the concept of Parens Patriae. Recognize the juvenile justice system and its origins.
- Week 6Module 2: The Extent and Nature of Crime
Unit 1: The Social Concept of Crime · 5 hours
Define the social concept of crime. Discuss different views of scholars on crime. Explain the nature of crime.
- Week 7Module 2: The Extent and Nature of Crime
Unit 2: The Measurement of Crime and its Impact · 5 hours
Identify and measure crimes. Explain official and unofficial crime statistics. Discuss the measurement of crime and its impact.
- Week 8Module 2: The Extent and Nature of Crime
Unit 3: Sources of Learning to Commit Crime · 5 hours
State the sources of learning to commit crime. Explore the social structure of the community and delinquent behavior. Highlight motives and skills from general culture.
Unit 4: Community Reaction to Crime · 5 hours
Explain community reactions to crime. Analyse the concept of social control. Differentiate between formal and informal social control.
- Week 9Module 2: The Extent and Nature of Crime
Unit 5: Understanding Deviance · 5 hours
Write the meaning of deviance. Explain Durkheim's view toward deviance. Discuss segments of formal norms and sanctions.
- Week 10Module 3: Explanations of Crime and Delinquency
Unit 1: Different Association Theory · 5 hours
Recognize differential association theory. Recall the nine principles of Edwin Sutherland. Compare professional theft and differential association theory.
Unit 2: Psychoanalysis Theory · 5 hours
Distinguish Sigmund Freud and August Aichhorn psychoanalytical approaches. Recall the relationship between psychoanalytic theory and delinquent behavior. Explain psychopathetic personalities.
Unit 3: The Conflict Theory · 5 hours
Analyse the meaning of conflict. Write the background of modern conflict theory. Review social structure as a causative element.
- Week 11Module 3: Explanations of Crime and Delinquency
Unit 4: Functionalist View: Anomie Theory · 5 hours
Define anomie. Recall Merton's works and modes of adaptation. Discuss views of Cloward, Ohlin, Durkheim, and Cohen.
- Week 12Module 4: Law, Crime and Delinquency
Unit 5: Interactionist Perspective: Labeling Theory · 5 hours
Define labeling. List aspects of labeling. Identify Mead's interactionalism, Becker's outsider concept, and Braithwaite's shaming.
Unit 1: Legal Definitions of Crime · 5 hours
Analyse the concept of law. Explain schools of thought in law. List classifications of law.
- Week 13Module 4: Law, Crime and Delinquency
Unit 2: Meaning of Criminal Law · 5 hours
Explain the meaning of criminal law. Identify the purpose of criminal law. Describe the sources of criminal law.
Unit 3: Nigerian Criminal/Penal Code · 5 hours
Identify international standards and continental instruments of children's rights. Explain offenses and treatment of offenders under Nigerian codes.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-3 theoretical explanations of crime
- Review key definitions from Units 1-5 weekly
- Practice applying theories to case studies
- Focus on Nigerian legal system specifics in Module 4
- Review all TMAs and self-assessment exercises thoroughly
Questions students ask about this course
What is CSS211 about?
This course introduces students to the sociology of crime and delinquency. It explores the social origins of crime, criminal law, and the processes through which individuals learn and commit crimes. The course highlights the nature and extent of delinquency, examines key theoretical explanations, and reviews the legal framework surrounding crime and delinquency within the Nigerian legal system. Students will also learn about community reactions to crime and the administration of criminal justice.
How many units does CSS211 have?
CSS211, The Sociology Of Crime And Delinquency, has 19 units across 4 modules, over 142 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CSS211?
CSS211 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is CSS211 hard?
CSS211 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does CSS211 take to study?
About 195 hours of study, spread across its 19 units.
How is CSS211 assessed?
CSS211 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CSS211?
Police Officer, Security Analyst, Criminologist, Probation Officer and Social Worker.