This course examines the nature, function, and causes of crime in society. The course will focus on various issues surrounding the study of crime. It examines how crime is defined, its distribution over different types of societies, the different methods of measuring the extent and nature of crime, theories of crime causation, characteristics of particular types of criminal conduct, and approaches to crime control. 

 At the end of this course students should be able to: 

• Discuss the component parts of the Jamaican Criminal Justice system.
• Research categories, features, and elements of the major crimes, and discuss criminal behaviour prison culture. philosophical underpinnings of parole and probation as well as determinate and indeterminate sentencing and the social implications of each.
• Evaluate the nature and purpose of law in our society.
• Understand major defenses to crimes.
• Discuss the role of the police in maintaining a safe, but free, society.
• Participate in Field visit to understand the criminal trial process, and the role of the main participants in a trial.