PSCI218
PUNISHMENT & CRIME
- Department
- Political Science
- Terms offered
- 3
- Data refreshed
- Jun 27, 2026
Description
Section information text: This class examines theories that seek to justify criminal punishment and then analyzes those theories in a series of case studies. We will explore retributive theory (punishment because it is "deserved"), utilitarian theory (punishment because of the consequences that it will produce), and expressive theory (punishment that expresses social values). Thereafter we will take up a number of specific case studies: homicide, conspiracy, attempt, the law of self-defense, hate crimes, and the death penalty. Our goal throughout the course will be to consider the ways in which criminal law enforcement allows us to better understand our society and its values.
Syllabi
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Offerings and forecast 2015–2019
2015 2019
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer | Intersession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2030 Fall: 10% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 9 fall terms since 2018. | 2030 Spring: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 spring terms since 2018. | 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. | 2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2029 | 2029 Fall: 12% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2029 Spring: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 spring terms since 2017. | 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. | 2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2028 | 2028 Fall: 12% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2028 Spring: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 spring terms since 2016. | 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. | 2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2027 | 2027 Fall: 11% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2027 Spring: 6% chance, high confidence. Offered in 1 of 12 spring terms since 2015. | 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. | 2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2019 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2018 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2017 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2016 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2015 | Not offered | 1 section | Not offered | No data |
Forecast Under 15% 15–39% 40–69% 70–89% 90%+ Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sections Not offered No data
Meeting times
Recent first- Tue, Fri, 2:50 PM–4:05 PM JC120 2015
| Term | Professor | Type | Credits | Enrollment | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2019 | Robert G. Boatright | Lecture | 1 | 29 of 30 enrolled | 27264 |
| Fall 2017 | Ross A. Dardani | Lecture | 1 | 25 of 30 enrolled | 26016 |
| Spring 2015 | Paul E. Herron | Lecture | 1 | 33 of 20 enrolled | 34166 |