Spring 2025 - CRIM 402 OL01

Biological Explanations of Crime (3)

Class Number: 3161

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines possible biological factors that could result in a predisposition towards criminal behavior. These include not only the genetic factors that affect behavior and therefore could potentially predispose towards crime, but also biochemical, neurological, nutritive and accidental effects such as head injuries. This course will look critically at all evidence both for and against any possible biological predispositions for criminogenic behaviors, together with the interaction with the environment. In particular, moral and ethical issues will be considered and debated. Students with credit for CRIM 416 in the summer 2000 or 2001 term may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Courses frequently consider the sociological, psychological, or environmental aspects of crime, but rarely are the equally important possible biological aspects of crime considered. Behaviour is a complex mixture of biology (the genotype), and the environment. Many other biological factors may also affect behaviour including diet, head trauma, etc. There is no single “gene for crime,” and none will ever be found, any more than there can be a single environmental or social reason for crime, but the fear that such a gene could be discovered has prevented discussions of the biology of crime. There is, however, considerable evidence that biological factors can have a strong impact on criminogenic behaviour. Biological factors that could predispose a person to criminogenic behaviour will be critically considered, including the empirical evidence and the ethical issues involved. Understanding the biological factors that can predispose an individual to certain undesirable behaviours offers us perhaps the greatest hope for successful treatment.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Identify key biological factors used to explain predisposition to criminal behaviour (i.e., genetic, biochemical, neurological, nutritive, and accidental).
  2. Critically evaluate evidence for and against biological factors that serve as predispositions for criminogenic behaviours.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between predisposing biological factors and environmental factors in explaining criminal behaviour.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of moral and ethical issues inherent in biological explanations of crime

Grading

  • Quizzes (11 x 4%) * 40%
  • Critical Assignments (4 over semester) 20%
  • Summary (1 over semester) 10%
  • Participation over semester 10%
  • Final Exam 20%

NOTES:

* Lowest quiz grade dropped

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior. 2020. Anderson, G.S. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group. SFU Publications. Electronic or paper edition. Note this is the 2nd edition


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

If you have any Criminology course enrollment requests (course adds, course swaps), please contact a Criminology advisor. Please do not contact instructors for enrollment assistance as they will ultimately refer you to a Criminology advisor.

Criminology course enrollment requests should be sent to a Criminology advisor no later than the last day of the Second week of classes. Late enrollment requests are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. 

Enrollment requests for non-Crim courses should be directed to the advisor for the program offering the course. 



ATTENTION: STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY: Please contact the Center for Accessible Learning, (MBC 1250 or Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.  

  • N.B.: Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is important. However, there are no tutorials in the first week.
  • ON CAMPUS COURSES ONLY: Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A. during class/office hours must be placed in the security box behind the General Office (SWH 10156), or submitted as per Professor’s instructions for courses taking place at Surrey Campus. The assignment drop box is emptied Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. only, with the contents date stamped accordingly. No other department’s date stamp will be accepted (e.g. Library/Campus Security).  For the Surrey Campus, assignments must be hand delivered to the General Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, located at SUR 5180, on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30p.m., or placed in the assignment drop box located at the southwest corner of Galleria 5.  The Surrey assignment drop box is emptied Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the contents date stamped accordingly.  The School of Criminology is not responsible for assignments submitted in any other manner (e.g., slid under office doors).  The University does NOT accept assignments by fax or email.
  • A student must complete ALL aspects of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education courses and other), otherwise they will receive a grade of N. 
  • The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology.
  • Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of this institution.  Members of this community have an affirmative obligation to safeguard the human rights of others.

UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.