CCJ 315 Crime Myths

Crime in various forms is a common topic of conversation among individuals at work, at home, at school and in a variety of other settings. Much of what people believe about crime, its perpetrators and its victims often does not fit very well with what we can learn from careful scientific study of crime. Misperceptions about crime and justice are commonly fostered by the media, political leaders, and from overgeneralizations of personal experience. This course will introduce students to the value of rigorous research evidence as the primary way to identify the existence of crime myths.