CCJE Module for

CRIM 1 –
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY

Course Description:
 The course presents an overview of the different schools of thought in criminology; Basic
theories that explain criminal behavior; techniques for measuring the characteristics of criminals,
crime, and victims; the interrelatedness of theory, policy and practice in the criminal justice
system, and current issues and studies in criminology

Course Objectives:

Graduates of the College will be able to:

KNOWLEDGE - Show mastery on the important provisions of laws and its applications, the
procedures in the conduct of investigation and its application on the different nature of
crimes.

SKILLS - Exhibit abilities in the conduct of investigation, utilize state- of- the-art equipment,
and articulate in the preparation of different reports for court presentation and other
related fields.

ATTITUDES - Manifest a character worthy as a public servant and a protector.

GAD integration performs tasks in a gender responsive manner.

Learning Outcomes:

BS Criminology Program Outcomes (CMO 05 s of 2018)

After graduation, the BS Criminology graduates shall be able to:

1. Conduct Criminological Research on crimes, crime causation, victims and offenders, to

include deviant behavior.
2. Internalize the concepts of human rights and victim welfare.
3. Demonstrate competence and broad understanding in Law enforcement administration,
public safety and criminal justice.
4. Utilize criminalistics or forensic Science in the investigation and detection of crime.
5. Apply the principles and jurisprudence of criminal law, evidence, and criminal procedure
6. Ensure offender’s welfare and development for their re-integration to the community.

Topic 1.
Criminology and its very nature and scope and division in the study of criminology.

Objective/s:
 The objective is to have a strong enough understanding with regards to the importance,
purposes, nature & scope of criminology as a field of interest.

Lesson 1
 Definition of Criminology
Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon.

 Development of Criminology
The discipline of criminology has evolved in three phases, beginning in the 18th
century. Although crime and criminals have been around for as long as societies have
existed, the systematic study of these phenomena did not begin until the late 1700s.

 Importance and Purposes of Studying Criminology

Studying crime is very important, not only to criminologists. Criminologists and
non-criminologists study crime because of various reasons. If we generalize these, they
fall on any of these reasons:

1. Criminology can be a source of philosophy of life. The knowledge derived from

studying crime is a good foundation for an individual’s philosophy and lifestyle.
2. Criminology is a profession not only for social service but for legal practice as well.
3. People, study criminology because criminals are legitimate object of interest. They
should be understood in order to know how to control them.
4. Authorities should know a bit of criminology because crime is a very expensive
problem of the society. The value of property lost, medical expenses, insurances,
moving costs, and intangible costs of pain and suffering is too high as a result of
victimization.

Exercise / Activity 1

Directions: Answer briefly the following questions using a yellow pad paper (for handwritten
answers), legal size bond paper for typewritten answers and submit it on the schedule provided
by the instructor. Students who have internet access may submit it on the facebook class group
chat (gc) on the schedule provided by the instructor.

1. In your own understanding, what advantages could you draw from studying criminology?
2. What are the two composite words of criminology? Explain your answer.
3. What do we mean when we say, “crime as a social phenomenon”?
4. Discuss the three phases vis-à-vis the development of criminology.
5. What are the primary aims of studying criminology?
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Lesson 2

 Nature and Scope of Criminology

In 1889, an anthropologist named Paul Topinard, introduces the term criminology
in the English language. He derived the word from the Latin word “krimen”, which can
be translated to offense.

According to Prof. Cirilo Tradio, Criminology is a body of knowledge regarding

crime as a social phenomenon. The scope of Criminology covers:
1. the making of laws
2. the breaking of laws
3. the reaction towards the breaking of laws

 Principal division of criminology

In accordance with Sutherland’s discretion of the scope of criminology, we can
divide into departments:

a. Sociology of Law. In this we study the nature of crime from legalistic

point of view.

b. Criminal Etiology. In this department, a systematic investigation into the

various causes of crime is made.

c. Penology. This aspect is studied systematically and in a scientific manner

to achieve control over crime. The facts and theories in this regard the
scope of Penology, an important department of criminology.

d. Victimology. A branch of Criminology, which deals on the study on what

makes a person a victim of crime.

Exercise / Activity 2
Directions: Answer briefly the following questions using a yellow pad paper (for handwritten
answers), legal size bond paper for typewritten answers and submit it on the schedule provided
by the instructor. Students who have internet access may submit it on the facebook class group
chat (gc) on the schedule provided by the instructor.

1. Discuss the three scopes of criminology.

2. What are the various aspects of criminology?
3. What are the contributions of Edwin H. Sutherland and Donald R. Cressey in the field of
criminology?
4. Discuss the four Principal division of criminology.
5. Is criminology a science? Why?

Comments / Suggestions / Observations:

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Topic 2.
Legal and criminological classification of crimes and root causes of crimes.

Objective/s:
The student should be able to classify the different types of crimes; contrast the legal and
criminological classification of crimes and; evaluate the root causes of crimes.

Lesson 3
 Definition of crime
An act or omission in violation of public law forbidding or commanding it.

 Classifications of crime:
a. Offense – is an act or omission that is punishable by special laws.
b. Felony – is an act or omission that is punishable by the Revised Penal Code.
c. Misdemeanor/Delinquency – acts that are in violation of simple rules and regulations
usually referring to acts committed by minor offenders.
d. Mala Inse – the act is wrong from the very beginning
e. Mala Perse – the act is wrong because it is immoral
f. Mala Prohibita – the act is wrong because there is law punishing it.

 Elements of crime:
a. There must be an act or omission.
b. The act must be in violation of law.
c. Committed either by dolo (malice/deceit) or culpa (fault)
  Elements of crime by dolo:
a. Freedom – the ability to do whatever one wishes
b. Intelligence – the ability to know what is right or wrong
c. Intent –use a particular means to effect a particular result
d. Motive – feeling or moving power that impels one to do act.

 Elements of crime by culpa:

a. Freedom
b. Intelligence
c. Negligence/imprudence or lack of skill/ foresight

Exercise / Activity 3
Directions: Answer briefly the following questions using a yellow pad paper (for handwritten
answers), legal size bond paper for typewritten answers and submit it on the schedule provided
by the instructor. Students who have internet access may submit it on the facebook class group
chat (gc) on the schedule provided by the instructor.

1. What is the legal aspect of crime?

2. Compare and contrast felony and offense.
3. Enumerate and discuss the elements of crime by dolo.
4. Discuss the three stages in the commission of a crime.
5. Give at least one example each of the stages in the commission of a crime.

Comments / Suggestions / Observations:

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