Teaching
My teaching focuses on helping students develop a thorough understanding of theories and their applications, so that students leave the courses I teach with a better understanding of the world around them and the knowledge and skills they need to solve problems in their daily and professional lives. Criminal justice courses are particularly ripe for application focused teaching. For example, in my methods and statistics course I help students develop a conceptual understanding of research design while at the same time learn the foundation that underlies the principles of statistical tests and research methodologies. The goal of this course is to ensure students can critically interpret the statistical evidence they come across daily in newspapers, professional media, and social media. I currently teach statistics (CRIM 352), criminological theory (CRIM 371), criminal law (CRIM 302), criminal procedure (CRIM 411), and criminal courts and law courses.
Below are descriptions for the courses I teach.
CRIM 352 - Statistics
Introductory course to statistical reasoning and social science statistics commonly used in criminal justice research. Students will learn how to analyze and interpret quantitative data. Includes introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisites: CRIM 351, Core Math.
CRIM 371 - Criminological Theory
Social context has given rise to various theoretical developments in the explanation of criminal behavior. Throughout this course, you will examine the evolution and empirical status of traditional to contemporary theories of criminal behavior, with a focus on the historical context of each theory. In addition, you will understand the impact of theory on prevailing crime control policies in different historical eras. The major emphases of the course will be the evaluation, assessment and critical analysis of criminological theory in general and the use of such theories in criminal justice policies. Prerequisites: CRIM 224 Criminology
CRIM 302 - Criminal Law
This class is a course on substantive criminal law and its fundamentals. During this course, students will learn what is considered a criminal act, the general principles of criminal liability, how specific crimes are defined and classified, how to identify responsible parties, constitutional limits on criminal law, and legal excuses and justifications for criminal behavior that negate responsibility. More specifically, crimes against persons, crimes against property, crimes against public order and morals, and crimes against the state will be covered throughout the course. Students will examine cases that emphasize some of the more complicated questions involved in applying the criminal law to the facts of a case. By the end of the course, students will be able to brief court cases, read and interpret laws, and determine appropriate charges and legal defenses in different scenarios.