Description

This course examines and analyzes the various means by which society attempts to control criminal conduct. Social control encompasses both formal and informal mechanisms and a variety of institutions and social processes to deter inappropriate conduct, if possible, and/or punish and reform such conduct. Social control has evolved considerably over time and various social control philosophies and techniques have been prevalent at one time but not in others. Because social control is a response to inappropriate conduct, the course will also provide a brief introduction to the concepts of deviance and crime and the differential social control needs and priorities posed by different kinds of inappropriate conduct.