American Society of Criminology
Introduction to Criminology Syllabi Collection
Co-editors: Denise Paquette Boots (University of Texas at Dallas) &William Reese (Augusta State University)
Table of Contents
Alan Bruce (Crime & Society)…………………………………………………..page 3
Steven Barkan (Crime & Criminal Justice)……………………………………...page 9
Denise Paquette Boots (Introduction to Crime & Criminology)………………...page 13
Christine Gardiner (Introduction to Criminology, Law & Society)……………..page 21
Christine Gardiner (Crime & Delinquency)…...... page 27
Heath Hoffman (Criminology)…………………………………………………..page 38
Jon Shane (Criminology)………………………………………………………...page 43
Josh Klein (Criminology)………………………………………………………..page 49
Marian Mosser (Criminology)……………………………………………… …..page 57
Mark Warr (Criminology)…...... page 69
Travis Pratt (Nature of Crime)……………………………………… … …….page 72
Susan Smith-Cunnien (Criminology)……………………………… … … …..page 79
Tim Berard………………………………………………………………………page 87
Instructor
Dr. Alan S. BruceOffice: 336 CLA-1
Office hours: See Blackboard
Phone: Extension 8458
Email: / Course
CJ/SO 283 A - Crime and Society
Fall Semester, 2006
MWF 9-9:50 am
Room TH 318
Introduction
This course provides an introduction to the study of crime, commonly known as criminology. Criminology is primarily concerned with understanding the causes of crime, and so we will examine some of the most influential explanations for criminal behavior. As social context shapes general beliefs, however, it also shapes beliefs about crime; we will consider how different explanations have emerged at different times and understand how social context contributes to explanations of crime. To develop credible explanations for crime we must understand the nature of crime, and we will examine a range of criminal activity.
General Approach to Teaching Crime and Society
My approach to the study of crime and society is guided by the Quality Standards for the Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice developed by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). ACJS standards for criminal justice education state in part;
The purpose of undergraduate programs in criminal justice is to educate students to be critical thinkers who can communicate their thoughts effectively in oral and written form. Programs should familiarize students with facts and concepts and teach students to apply this knowledge to related problems and changing situations. (From Quality Standards for the Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice published by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, http://www.acjs.org/pubs/167_667_12021.cfm)
ACJS standards are reflected in the course objectives and assessment criteria.
Course Objectives and Assessment
Upon successful completion of this course students will:
q Understand the major criminological explanations of crime.
q Be able to utilize criminological theory to explain crime.
q Understand the nature of a variety of criminal activities.
q Be able to effectively communicate about criminological theory.
q Understand how social context impacts thought concerning crime and its causes.
q Be able to critically assess explanations of crime.
Progress towards meeting these objectives will be determined by performance on exams and quizzes, and quality of course participation and writing assignments.
Required Reading
The following texts are available in the university bookstore:
Adler, F., Mueller, G. O., & Laufer, W. S. (2007). Criminology (6th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Reiman, J. (2007). The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison: Ideology, Class, and Criminal Justice (8th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon.
Additional required reading will be distributed in class or placed in Blackboard; you are responsible for these regardless of your attendance.
Course Expectations
You can expect me to be respectful at all times, be in class on time, hold regular office hours as posted in blackboard, quickly respond to your questions, assist you with class assignments, return all written work within two weeks, provide clear guidelines on expectations for all assignments, and provide you with meaningful feedback on your work.
In class we will use a lecture - discussion format and failure to adequately prepare for class will prevent effective participation. I expect you to come to class having read the assigned material, completed assignments, and prepared to discuss the relevant material. You are expected to hand in assignments on time and take exams at the scheduled times.
There will be no opportunity for extra-credit assignments so it is important that you satisfy stated requirements. PLEASE Do not approach me requesting extra-credit assignments.
You are expected to alert me if you are having any trouble with the course material. I am unable to provide help if you do not seek it! When reading the material you should ask yourself:
- Do I understand the vocabulary?
- Do I understand the concepts the words are meant to convey?
- Can I explain the material in my own words?
If you cannot answer “yes” to each of these let me know as soon as possible.
This course will rely heavily on the Blackboard system available through the Quinnipiac University website. You must familiarize yourself with Blackboard as soon as possible.
To give your inquiries the attention they deserve and allow me to begin class on time you are expected to bring your questions to me during my office hours rather than immediately before or after class.
Academic Honesty
You must follow the university’s Academic Integrity policy. The current Academic Integrity Policy can be accessed at http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x847.xml. Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy will result in report to the university academic integrity board, an F grade for the course, and possibly a judicial hearing. Familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity Policy and contact me if you have any questions about it.
Attendance
Full attendance is expected. You are responsible for all material and assignments whether you attend class or not, and it is in your best interest to attend all class meetings. There will be information presented in class that is not in the required readings and you are responsible for this whether or not you are in class. There may also be changes in the schedule or assignments that are announced in class, and again you are responsible for these regardless of attendance. Irregular attendance will result in poor performance on all assignments and a low grade for the course. Finally, a record of attendance will be kept and considered in determining class participation grades.
It is my strong preference that you do not bring laptop computers to class. Should you choose to bring a laptop to class it must only be used for course activities; email, instant messaging, online poker/gambling, checking sports scores, or showing-your-buddy-something-really-cool/funny/weird/gross are not course activities. Using a laptop for non-course activities will seriously reduce your course participation grade.
When in class please do not sleep, write notes to each other, read newspapers, do homework for any class, listen to music, or engage in activity that may disturb others. Turn off your phone!!
Students With Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability I am happy to make the necessary accommodations BUT it is your responsibility to submit the relevant paperwork to me. I cannot make accommodations based on disability until I have received the relevant paperwork.
Know your neighbor! It is a good idea to get the contact information for those sitting around you – this can help you get notes/announcements should you miss class, and get assistance with preparation for exams and quizzes. Say hello and write down their contact information!
Exams, Quizzes, Class Participation, and Assignments
Your final grade for the course will be determined by performance on exams, quizzes and/or in-class assignments, written assignments, and class participation.
n There will be two exams in this course, one during week 8, and a final exam given during finals week. The final exam covers material from the entire semester. Exams comprise 50% of your final course grade.
n There will be 4 quizzes given in class that comprise 15% of your overall grade. Only three quizzes count towards your final grade therefore you drop your lowest quiz grade. No make-up quizzes will be given.
n Writing assignments will be distributed at appropriate points in the semester. Writing assignments comprise 25% of your overall course grade. Late assignments will be penalized 5% of the earned score for each day past the deadline.
n While course participation is graded subjectively the following are taken into consideration; attendance, preparation for class, contribution to class and blackboard discussion, and demonstrated level of enthusiasm for course material. Note that contribution to class discussion does not simply involve talking but should demonstrate that you have read and understood the assigned material. Course participation comprises 10% of your overall course grade.
n Should you have questions about earned grades you must make an appointment to come and meet with me; please do not attempt to discuss assignment grades with me immediately before or after class. A 48 hour “reflection” period must occur before I will discuss earned grades.
Each assignment is worth a certain number of points and comprises a proportion of your final course grade. The maximum number of points available for this course is 300. The number of points and proportion of the final course grade for assignments is as follows:
Exam 1 / 65 points = 22% of your final course grade.Exam 2 / 85 points = 28% of your final course grade.
Quizzes / 45 points total = 15% of your final course grade.
Written assignments. / 75 points = 25% of your final course grade.
Participation / 30 points = 10% of your final course grade.
Total / 300 points = 100%
Final grades will be determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of possible points, with the resulting percentage converted into a letter grade using the following scale:
A = 93-100% / B+ = 87-89% / C+ = 77-79% / D = 60-69%A- = 90-92% / B = 83-86% / C = 73-76% / F = 0-59%
B- = 80-82% / C- = 70-72%
You can calculate your current course grade at any time. Divide the number of points you have earned by the total number of points available to that point, multiply the total by 100 to calculate your percentage, and use the above scale to determine your grade.
Tentative Schedule
Week 1 / August 28: Course overview and introductions.August 30: So what is “criminology”? Adler et al. chapter 1.
September 1: So what is “criminology”? Adler et al. chapter 1, Reiman Introduction.
Week 2 / September 4: University holiday-no class.
September 6: How do we know about crime? Adler et al. chapter 2.
September 8: How do we know about crime? Adler et al. chapter 2.
Week 3 / September 11: How do we know about crime? Adler et al. chapter 2, Reiman chapter 1.
September 13: QUIZ 1.
Why’d they do it? Witches, criminaloids and the feebleminded. Adler et al. chapter 3.
September 15: Why’d they do it? Witches, criminaloids and the feebleminded. Adler et al. chapter 3.
Week 4 / September 18: Why’d they do it? Modern biological and psychological explanations. Adler et al. chapter 4.
September 20: Why’d they do it? Modern biological and psychological explanations. Adler et al. chapter 4.
September 22: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - strain. Adler et al. chapter 5.
Week 5 / September 25: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - strain. Adler et al. chapter 5.
September 27: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - strain. Adler et al. chapter 5.
September 29: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - strain. Adler et al. chapter 5.
Week 6 / October 2: Yom Kippur - university holiday.
October 4: QUIZ 2.
Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - subcultures. Adler et al. chapter 6.
October 6: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - subcultures. Adler et al. chapter 6.
Week 7 / October 9: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - control. Adler et al. chapter 7.
October 11: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - control. Adler et al. chapter 7.
October 13: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - control. Adler et al. chapter 7.
Week 8 / October 16: MID-TERM EXAM.
October 18: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime. Adler et al. chapter 8, Reiman chapter 2.
October 20: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime. Adler et al. chapter 8, Reiman chapter 2.
Week 9 / October 23: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime. Adler et al. chapter 8, Reiman chapter 2.
October 25: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - environment. Adler et al. chapter 9.
October 27: Why’d they do it? Social explanations of crime - environment. Adler et al. chapter 9.
Week 10 / October 30: QUIZ 3.
What do they do and how do they do it? Violence and hate. Adler et al. chapter 10.
November 1: What do they do and how do they do it? Violence and hate. Adler et al. chapter 10.
November 3: What do they do and how do they do it? Violence and hate. Adler et al. chapter 10.
Week 11 / November 6: What do they do and how do they do it? Violence and hate. Adler et al. chapter 10.
What do they do and how do they do it? Property crime. Adler et al. chapter 11.
November 8: What do they do and how do they do it? White-collar and organized crime. Adler et al. chapter 12.
November 10: What do they do and how do they do it? White-collar and organized crime. Adler et al. chapter 12, Reiman chapter 3.
Week 12 / November 13: What do they do and how do they do it? White-collar and organized crime. Adler et al. chapter 12, Reiman chapter 4.
November 15: QUIZ 4.
What do they do and how do they do it? White-collar and organized crime. Adler et al. chapter 12, Reiman chapter 4.
November 17: What do they do and how do they do it? White-collar and organized crime. Adler et al. chapter 12.
Week 13 / November 20: University holiday, no class.
November 22: Thanksgiving break, no class.
November 24: Thanksgiving break, no class.
Week 14 / November 27: But why is it wrong? Because we say it is! Adler et al. chapter 13.
November 29: But why is it wrong? Because we say it is! Adler et al. chapter 13.
December 1: But why is it wrong? Because we say it is! Adler et al. chapter 13.
Week 15 / December 4: What can we do about crime? Reiman conclusion.
December 6: Is ours’ the only way? Comparative Criminology. Adler et al. chapter 14.
December 8: Last day of class.
Week 16 / Beginning December 11: Final exam given ONLY at time scheduled by the university.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change at any time and without notice.
SOC 214 - Crime and Criminal Justice Office: 201 Fernald Hall