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Syllabus Breakdown

M.A Criminology (with specialization in Forensic Psychology)

Criminology

Criminology is the study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. Here are some key subtopics:

Theories of Crime:

Classical and Neo-Classical Theories

Biological Theories (e.g., Lombroso's theory)

Psychological Theories (e.g., Eysenck’s theory, psychopathy)

Sociological Theories (e.g., Strain Theory, Social Learning Theory, Labeling Theory)

Integrated Theories (e.g., Life Course Theory)

Types of Crime:

Violent Crimes (e.g., homicide, assault)

Property Crimes (e.g., burglary, theft)

White-Collar Crimes (e.g., fraud, embezzlement)

Cyber Crimes

Organized Crime

Crime Statistics and Trends:

Sources of Crime Data (e.g., Uniform Crime Reports, National Crime Victimization Survey)

Crime Trends and Patterns

Dark Figure of Crime

Criminal Justice System:

Role and Function of Law Enforcement

Role of Courts and Judiciary

Correctional Institutions and Rehabilitation

Police

The police are a crucial component of the criminal justice system. Key subtopics include:

History and Evolution of Policing:

Early Forms of Policing

Development of Modern Policing

Roles and Responsibilities:

Crime Prevention and Investigation

Public Order Maintenance

Community Policing

Policing Strategies:

Reactive vs. Proactive Policing

Zero Tolerance Policing

Problem-Oriented Policing

Intelligence-Led Policing

Challenges in Policing:

Police Corruption and Misconduct

Use of Force and Accountability

Police-Community Relations

Technological Advancements in Policing

Prisons

Prisons are institutions designed to house individuals convicted of crimes. Key subtopics include:

History and Purpose of Prisons:

Evolution of Prisons

Objectives of Imprisonment (Punishment, Deterrence, Rehabilitation)

Types of Prisons:

Maximum Security

Medium Security

Minimum Security

Juvenile Detention Centers

Prison Management and Operations:

Prison Administration

Inmate Classification and Management

Prison Labor and Programs

Issues in Prisons:

Overcrowding

Prison Violence and Gangs

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment

Recidivism and Reintegration

Court Systems

The court system is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. Key subtopics include:

Structure of the Court System:

Hierarchical Structure (Lower Courts, Appellate Courts, Supreme Court)

Specialized Courts (e.g., Family Court, Drug Court)

Roles within the Court System:

Judges

Prosecutors

Defense Attorneys

Jury

Court Processes and Procedures:

Pre-Trial Procedures (Arraignment, Bail)

Trial Process (Jury Selection, Evidence Presentation)

Sentencing and Appeals

Issues in the Court System:

Access to Justice

Legal Representation and Public Defenders

Sentencing Disparities

Judicial Independence and Accountability

Child Protection

Child protection involves safeguarding children from abuse and neglect. Key subtopics include:

Types of Child Abuse and Neglect:

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Neglect

Child Protection Laws and Policies:

Mandatory Reporting Laws

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Family Preservation and Reunification

Investigative and Intervention Procedures:

Risk Assessment

Forensic Interviews

Emergency Removal and Placement

Impact of Abuse and Neglect:

Psychological and Emotional Impact

Long-Term Consequences

Treatment and Support Services

Major Laws Dealing with Crimes

Understanding key laws that address various crimes is essential. Key subtopics include:

Criminal Law Fundamentals:

Elements of a Crime (Actus Reus, Mens Rea)

Types of Offenses (Felonies, Misdemeanors)

Specific Major Laws:

Criminal Procedure Laws (e.g., Fourth Amendment rights, Miranda Rights)

Anti-Terrorism Laws

Drug Laws (Controlled Substances Act)

Cybercrime Laws

Anti-Money Laundering Laws

Landmark Cases:

Important Supreme Court Decisions (e.g., Miranda v. Arizona, Mapp v. Ohio)

International Criminal Law:

International Treaties and Conventions (e.g., Geneva Conventions)

War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

Sociology

General Awareness on Social Issues

Understanding current and historical social issues is crucial. Key subtopics include:

Poverty and Inequality:

Causes of Poverty

Economic Inequality

Social Stratification

Impact on Health and Education

Discrimination and Racism:

Types of Discrimination (e.g., Racial, Gender, Age)

Systemic Racism

Civil Rights Movements

Health and Healthcare:

Access to Healthcare

Public Health Issues

Mental Health Awareness

Education:

Educational Inequality

Role of Education in Society

Education Reforms

Environmental Issues:

Climate Change

Pollution and Waste Management

Sustainable Development

Society

Society encompasses the organized patterns of relationships and institutions. Key subtopics include:

Social Structure:

Elements of Social Structure (Status, Roles, Institutions)

Social Institutions (Family, Education, Religion, Economy, Government)

Culture:

Components of Culture (Norms, Values, Beliefs, Symbols)

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism

Subcultures and Countercultures

Socialization:

Agents of Socialization (Family, Peers, Media, Education)

Theories of Socialization (Mead’s Theory of the Self, Cooley’s Looking Glass Self)

Social Change:

Factors Driving Social Change (Technology, Social Movements, Policy)

Theories of Social Change (Evolutionary, Conflict, Cyclical)

Gender

Gender studies examine the social and cultural constructions of gender. Key subtopics include:

Gender Roles and Stereotypes:

Traditional Gender Roles

Gender Socialization

Impact of Stereotypes

Gender Inequality:

Wage Gap

Gender Discrimination

Representation in Politics and Business

Feminism and Gender Theories:

Waves of Feminism

Intersectionality

Masculinity Studies

LGBTQ+ Issues:

Rights and Recognition

Social Acceptance

Impact of Policies

Social Movements

Social movements are collective actions aimed at social change. Key subtopics include:

Types of Social Movements:

Reform Movements

Revolutionary Movements

Resistance Movements

New Social Movements (e.g., Environmental, Digital)

Stages of Social Movements:

Emergence

Coalescence

Bureaucratization

Decline

Theories of Social Movements:

Resource Mobilization Theory

Political Process Theory

New Social Movement Theory

Impact of Social Movements:

Policy Changes

Social and Cultural Changes

Case Studies (e.g., Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage Movement)

Family

The family is a primary social institution. Key subtopics include:

Family Structures:

Nuclear Family

Extended Family

Single-Parent Families

Blended Families

Marriage and Divorce:

Patterns of Marriage

Factors Influencing Divorce

Effects on Children

Parenting:

Parenting Styles

Role of Fathers and Mothers

Child Development

Changing Family Dynamics:

Impact of Modernization

Role of Technology

Work-Family Balance

Government

The government plays a central role in society. Key subtopics include:

Forms of Government:

Democracy

Authoritarianism

Monarchy

Totalitarianism

Political Systems:

Federalism

Unitarism

Electoral Systems

Public Policy:

Policy Making Process

Types of Public Policies (Social, Economic, Foreign)

Role of Bureaucracy

Citizenship and Civil Rights:

Rights and Responsibilities

Political Participation

Civil Liberties and Freedoms

Deviance

Deviance refers to behaviors that violate social norms. Key subtopics include:

Theories of Deviance:

Structural Strain Theory (Merton)

Labeling Theory (Becker)

Differential Association Theory (Sutherland)

Control Theory (Hirschi)

Types of Deviance:

Crime

Juvenile Delinquency

White-Collar Crime

Cyber Deviance

Social Control:

Formal and Informal Social Control

Role of Law Enforcement

Community-Based Approaches

Consequences of Deviance:

Stigma and Labeling

Impact on Communities

Rehabilitation and Punishment

Religion

Religion is a major social institution. Key subtopics include:

Sociological Theories of Religion:

Functionalism (Durkheim)

Conflict Theory (Marx)

Symbolic Interactionism (Weber)

Forms of Religious Organization:

Churches

Sects

Cults

Denominations

Religion and Society:

Secularization

Religious Pluralism

Fundamentalism

Religion and Social Change:

Role in Social Movements

Impact on Moral and Ethical Issues

Interfaith Dialogue

Social Psychology

Social Perception

Social perception involves how we form impressions and make inferences about other people. Key subtopics include:

Impression Formation:

Primacy Effect

Recency Effect

Halo Effect

Attribution Theory:

Internal vs. External Attributions

Fundamental Attribution Error

Actor-Observer Bias

Self-Serving Bias

Nonverbal Communication:

Facial Expressions

Body Language

Eye Contact

Impression Management:

Self-Presentation Tactics

Social Identity Theory

Social Cognition

Social cognition focuses on how people process, store, and apply information about others and social situations. Key subtopics include:

Schemas:

Types of Schemas (Person, Role, Event)

Effects of Schemas on Perception and Memory

Heuristics:

Availability Heuristic

Representativeness Heuristic

Anchoring and Adjustment Heuristic

Social Categorization:

Ingroup vs. Outgroup

Stereotype Activation

Cognitive Dissonance:

Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance

Methods of Reducing Dissonance

Stereotyping and Discrimination

Stereotyping and discrimination refer to the overgeneralized beliefs about a group of people and the unjust treatment based on those beliefs. Key subtopics include:

Stereotypes:

Definition and Examples

Formation and Maintenance

Stereotype Threat

Prejudice:

Affective Component (Emotions)

Causes of Prejudice (Social, Cognitive, Motivational)

Discrimination:

Types of Discrimination (Racial, Gender, Age, etc.)

Impact on Individuals and Society

Reducing Stereotyping and Discrimination:

Intergroup Contact Theory (Allport)

Education and Awareness

Institutional Changes

Aggressive Behavior

Aggressive behavior encompasses actions intended to harm or injure others. Key subtopics include:

Theories of Aggression:

Biological Theories (Genetics, Neurotransmitters)

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

General Aggression Model

Types of Aggression:

Physical vs. Verbal Aggression

Direct vs. Indirect Aggression

Reactive vs. Proactive Aggression

Factors Influencing Aggression:

Situational Factors (Heat, Crowding)

Media Influence (Violent Video Games, Movies)

Alcohol and Drugs

Reducing Aggression:

Anger Management Programs

Conflict Resolution Techniques

Role of Social and Cultural Norms

Group Behavior

Group behavior examines how individuals behave, think, and feel in group settings. Key subtopics include:

Group Dynamics:

Group Formation and Structure

Roles and Norms

Cohesion and Conformity

Group Decision Making:

Groupthink

Polarization

Minority Influence

Social Influence:

Types of Social Influence (Normative, Informational)

Conformity (Asch’s Experiments)

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