Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CRIM 101 D900

Introduction to Criminology (3)

Class Number: 1073

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics will include: examination of different terms and concepts commonly used in criminology, such as crime, delinquency, deviance, criminal, victim, rehabilitation and treatment. Criminology as a body of knowledge and as a profession. Position and subject matter of criminology. Relationship between criminology and other academic disciplines. Specificity of criminology. Relationship between theory and practice. History and evolution of criminological thought. Elements of continuity and discontinuity between classical and modern theories of criminality. Levels of explanations in criminology. Practical applications of criminology. The foundations of a modern criminal policy. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Why do people commit crimes? How should society respond to crime? What is “crime”? Criminology is a broad academic field helping us answer these questions. While the discipline has its own distinct theories, it also borrows from diverse academic traditions including psychology, sociology, and political science. This course introduces students to the discipline of criminology, focusing on Canada. Students will engage with core concepts—such as crime, deviance, delinquency, victimization, and rehabilitation. We will analyze how these terms are defined, contested, and operationalized across academic and real-world settings. We will also trace the evolution of criminological thought, from classical to modern theories of criminality, as well as individual-level and society-level explanations. Other topics include cybercrime, violent crime, drug use, inequality and crime, criminology as science, race and crime, corporate crime, organized crime, Indigenous justice, policing, terrorism and political violence, and the practical applications of criminology.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Understand what criminology is and how it helps us understand crime, justice, and society.
  • Explain the main theories of crime and how our understandings of crime have changed throughout history.
  • Connect academic theories to real-world issues concerning crime, law, and policy.
  • Explain how social factors like race, gender, class, and colonialism shape crime and justice.
  • Describe how the criminal justice system works—from policing to prisons—and think critically about its goals and limits.
  • Explain the mass incarceration of Indigenous peoples and how Indigenous nations are responding.
  • Use scientific reasoning to question statistics, media stories, and “common sense” ideas about crime and punishment.

 

Grading

  • Tutorial Performance / Participation 20%
  • Project Preparation 10%
  • Final Project 20%
  • Midterm Examination 25%
  • Final Examination 25%

NOTES:

COURSE STRUCTURE

 This class is made up of weekly in-person lectures by the professor (2 hours) and tutorial sessions, run by the teaching assistant(s) (TA) (1 hour). The date and time of your tutorial will differ depending what tutorial group you’re assigned to. Students can find tutorial information on the goSFU website (go.SFU.ca). Tutorials will have testable material and will include small quizzes, assignments, and group discussions.

NOTE: Lecture and tutorial attendance are required. Lectures will cover major topics from the textbook but will also discuss many topics not in the book. You will not do well if you skip lectures and rely only on the textbook or PowerPoint slides.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The required textbook for this course is: Adler, F., Mueller, G.O.W., Laufer, W.S., Grekul, J., & Sandhu, A. (2025). Criminology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.

 

Make sure you have the latest fourth edition. Older editions are missing new information that will be testable. A more affordable e-book version is available here:

https://www.vitalsource.com/en-ca/products/criminology-adler-v9781264389131?srsltid=AfmBOopHqqdUvStUq2xTshtUmg0l7m2JX6mYyqM6ipkrOxmuo22GZvoZ


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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.