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Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study.
Credits: 3 - Applied Studies.
Prerequisite: None (prior course in psychology is recommended)
Centre: Centre for State and Legal Studies
CRJS 360 has a Challenge for Credit option. Students challenging CRJS 360 will be required to complete and submit two online written assignments (the password needed to access the assignments is in the course package) in addition to writing a challenge examination. Challenge students are subject to the same student evaluation weighting requirements as individualized study students.
CRJS 360: The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour introduces a psychological perspective on crime, including the application of psychological methods to understanding, predicting, and treating criminal behaviour. Accordingly, each aspect of the course focuses on the individual (i.e., biological and psychological) factors in human behaviour and disorders associated with them (e.g., sexual deviance, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, psychopathy). CRJS 360 examines and evaluates the role of these and other psychological factors in understanding the motives behind antisocial acts, such as persistent violence, multiple murders, and sexual offenses. Throughout the course, students will acquire knowledge and practice in the application of psychological methods to understanding criminal behaviour.
CRJS 360 comprises fifteen units that are grouped into four major parts as follows:
Part 1: Background to the Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
Part 2: Biological Factors in Criminal Behaviour
Part 3: Learning Factors in Criminal Behaviour
Part 4: Psychological Disorders and Criminal Behaviour
To receive credit for CRJS 360, you must achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and obtain a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 per cent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|
30% | 40% | 30% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2005). Criminal behaviour: A psychosocial approach (7th ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
The course materials include a print Study Guide and Student Manual. The online course components are accessible to students through any Internet browser (preferably Internet Explorer) at: www.athabascau.ca/courses/crjs/360/.
These components include the course Web site, with links to online learning materials and assignments, unit self-tests, and a Digital Reading Room containing reading assignments that are in addition to the textbook.