CSS 101: Introduction to Criminology and Security Studies

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. discuss the culture, value and norms as foundation of society and social order;
2. describe the problem posed to social order by deviance, crime and conflict;
3. identify traditional and informal mechanisms for preventing, controlling and resolving deviance and conflict;
4. identify the evolution of the discipline;
5. discuss the philosophical foundations of positivism and subjectivist approaches;
6. analyse basic concepts and perspectives in the discipline; and
7. compare the programme with others in the social sciences.

Course Contents

Definitions of the concepts that constitute the normative foundation of society and social order – (culture, values, norms, socialisation and many others). Definitions and comparison of the concepts of deviance and conformity. Crime and insecurity; significance of social control and social solidarity. Traditional and informal mechanisms for preventing, controlling and resolving deviance and conflicts.   Evolution of criminology and penology. Development of security studies. Pioneers in the fields. Positivism and non-positivism models. Major perspectives in criminology and security studies. Relationship of criminology and security studies to other social sciences, including law. Development of criminology and security studies in Nigeria. Careers in the fields.