What This Document Is
This is a study guide designed to help students prepare for the midterm exam in SOCS 2300, Criminology, at the Community College of Rhode Island. It outlines key concepts and definitions that are likely to be covered on the exam, serving as a focused review resource. It is intended for individual or small group study.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is essential for students enrolled in SOCS 2300 who want to assess their understanding of the foundational material covered in the first half of the course. It’s most useful when used *in conjunction with* course lectures, readings, and notes, not as a replacement for them. The guide helps students prioritize their studying by highlighting the topics the instructor considers most important for the midterm.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide is explicitly *not* exhaustive. It doesn’t guarantee that only these topics will appear on the exam, and specific items listed may or may not be tested. It’s a guide to likely content, not a comprehensive list of everything you need to know. Students will still need to engage with all course materials to be fully prepared.
What This Document Provides
This study guide includes definitions for core sociological and criminological terms, such as sociology, society, criminology, and victimology. It also outlines the three types of norms – folkways, mores, and taboos – with examples. Furthermore, it covers key concepts like deviance (formal, informal, high-consensus, and low-consensus) and the goals of criminal law. It also introduces legal terms like common law, precedent, felony, and misdemeanor.
This preview does *not* include detailed explanations of each concept, practice questions, or a complete listing of all possible exam topics. It only provides a high-level overview of the content covered within the full study guide.
