CCJS 105 Introduction to Criminology is a University of Maryland Global Campus course exploring the nature and causes of crime and criminal behavior.
UMGC's description lists three topics: what we rationally know about crime, theoretical explanations of criminal behavior, and how to conduct research into the nature and extent of crime. The course fulfills the general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences.
Where CCJS 100 studies the system's response, CCJS 105 asks why crime happens. Students find the theory work hardest: naming a theory is easy, applying it precisely to a case is not.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | CCJS 105 |
| Credits | 3 |
| General education | Behavioral and social sciences |
| Subject area | Criminology |
| Typical work | Theory application papers, data interpretation, discussions |
What CCJS 105 Covers
| Topic | What it involves |
|---|---|
| What we know about crime | Patterns of crime by place, time, age and type, using data rather than assumptions |
| Theories of crime | Classical, biological, psychological and sociological explanations |
| Research methods | How criminologists measure crime and test theories |
Major Theories at a Glance
| Theory | Core idea |
|---|---|
| Rational choice | Offenders weigh costs and benefits |
| Routine activities (Cohen and Felson) | Crime needs a motivated offender, a suitable target and no capable guardian |
| Strain (Merton; Agnew) | Pressure from blocked goals or negative experiences leads some people to offend |
| Differential association (Sutherland) | Criminal behavior is learned through close relationships |
| Social control (Hirschi) | Strong bonds of attachment, commitment, involvement and belief prevent offending |
| Social disorganisation (Shaw and McKay) | Neighborhood instability weakens informal control |
| Labeling | Being labeled an offender can push people towards further offending |
Applying a theory: Car break-ins rise in a commuter car park. Routine activities theory explains it well: parked cars with visible bags are suitable targets, the car park is empty all day so there is no capable guardian, and motivated offenders pass nearby. The theory points to solutions such as patrols, cameras, lighting and signs reminding drivers to hide valuables. Rational choice adds that raising the risk of being caught changes offenders' calculations.
How Criminologists Study Crime
The course includes how to research the nature and extent of crime. Three main data sources each have strengths and blind spots:
- Official data: crimes known to police, collected by the FBI through NIBRS. Misses unreported crime.
- Victimization surveys: the National Crime Victimization Survey captures unreported crime, but not crimes without a direct victim.
- Self-report surveys: ask people about their own offending, useful for minor and hidden crime but affected by memory and honesty.
Remember that correlation is not causation. Two things rising together, such as ice cream sales and assaults in summer, may both be driven by a third factor like warm weather and more time outdoors.
Comparing Two Theories on One Case
A common task asks you to explain the same behavior with two theories. Doing this well shows you understand what each theory focuses on.
Example: A 15-year-old begins shoplifting with friends. Differential association focuses on learning: the friends supply the techniques, the excuses ("big stores can afford it") and the approval that make shoplifting seem acceptable. Social control asks why the teen was free to offend: weak attachment to parents, little commitment to school and lots of unstructured time mean few bonds hold the behavior back.
The two theories suggest different responses. Learning theory points to changing peer influences; control theory points to strengthening family and school bonds, for example through mentoring or after-school activities.
Close by judging which explanation fits the facts better, and why, rather than leaving both side by side.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Theory application | Using theory precisely | Define it, apply each element, note limits |
| Theory comparison | Critical thinking | Compare how two theories explain one case |
| Data interpretation | Research literacy | Name the source and its limitations |
| Discussion posts | Applying concepts | Use readings and a real example |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Naming without applying. Show how each element of the theory fits the facts.
- One-cause thinking. Most crime has several contributing factors; acknowledge limits.
- Weak sources. Use peer-reviewed criminology and official data, not news opinion.
- Confusing theories. Strain is about pressure; control is about bonds; learning is about association.
Study Tips for CCJS 105
- Make one-line summaries of each theory with a real-world example.
- Practice applying two different theories to the same case.
- Use the Bureau of Justice Statistics for victimization data.
- Note each theory's main criticism; strong papers mention it.
How We Help with CCJS 105
Send the assignment prompt, rubric, readings and any feedback. A criminology writer prepares a model theory paper, explains theories and data, or reviews your draft for accuracy, structure and APA formatting. Our criminal justice assignment help guide covers related courses.
GradeEssays is independent of University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid: submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Revisions within the scope of your original request are free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The nature and causes of crime: what we know about crime, theoretical explanations of criminal behavior and how crime is researched.
Yes. UMGC lists it as fulfilling the behavioral and social sciences requirement.
Crime occurs when a motivated offender and a suitable target meet without a capable guardian.
Criminology studies why crime happens; criminal justice studies how society responds through police, courts and corrections.
The one whose elements best fit the facts of your case. Comparing two theories often strengthens the analysis.
Three credits.