Executive Leadership MCJ
CJ5120: CRIME THEORIES & STRATEGIES
WINTER 2007
Instructor:Mary Dodge, Ph.D.
Office:1380 Lawrence Street Suite 500
Phone:(303)556-5987
Email:
Web Page:
Office Hours:by appointment
Class:1/05,1/06,1/12, 1/13,1/20
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course analyzes the social origins of criminal behavior and the impact of crime on society. Various categories of deviant, delinquent, and criminal behaviors are examined and attempts to control such behavior are assessed. Connections between social institutions, social problems, illegal activities, and the response of the public and the criminal justice system to the threat of crime are explored using an in-depth, applied approach to criminological theory.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of the following: (a) the nature and extent of crime in contemporary America; (b) the concepts and theories related to the causes of crime, including an examination of causal theories, extent, control, and prevention of crime; (c) the terminology, related concepts, and the nature of research and theory in criminology; and (d) an appreciation for the diverse values and viewpoints within the system.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Simpson, S. (2000.) Of Crime & Criminality: The Use of Theory in Everyday Life.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
REQUIRED ARTICLES:
Reisig, M.D., & R.B.Parks (2004). Can community policing help the truly disadvantaged? Crime & Delinquency, 50(2):139-167.
Weisburd, D., & L.G. Mazerolle (2000). Crime and disorder in drug hot spots: implications for theory and practice in policing. Police Quarterly, 3(3):
331-349.
Wang, J.Z. (2002). Bank robberies by an Asian gang: An assessment of the
routine activities theory. International Journal of Offender Therapy and
Comparative Criminology, 46(5): 555-568.
Dodge, M. (2006). Juvenile police informants: Friendship, persuasion, and
pretense. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice: An Interdisciplinary
Journal, 4(3): 234-246.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
PowerPoint Lectures: PowerPoint presentations are available for class lectures. I suggest printing the lectures as handouts before each class. They can be located and downloaded from my website: Go to “Nature & Causes of Crime CJ5120.”
Required Articles: The four research articles required for class readings and assignments will be emailed to you in a PDF format. Most of the articles also can be located using the Auraria Library’s Database Ebsco.
Attendance: Class attendance and participation is mandatory and is counted as part of your grade. Please note: You will not receive a passing grade unless you attend classes. A large percentage of the materials presented in class will not be available in the readings. Students who miss classes will find themselves at a disadvantage.
Academic honesty: Plagiarism of any kind will result in a failing grade (please see handout on specific policies and procedures for the University of Colorado and the Graduate School of Public Affairs).
Executive Leadership MCJ
CJ5120: Crime Theories and StrategiesCourse Schedule
Completed Readings
Simpson Text
1/05Topics:
FridayIntroduction to Theory Context and Consequences of Theory Prelude & Intro: Classical and Positivists Schools xiii-xxxiii
Individual Traits and Crime
Major Theorists:
Cesare Beccaria
Cesare Lombroso
Glueck and Glueck
PowerPoint Lectures:
Introduction Lecture
Biological Psychological Causes of Crime
1/06Topics:
SaturdaySocial Roots of CrimePart I Chapter I
ChicagoSchoolPart 2 Chapter 5
Social LearningPart 2 Chapter 6
Differential Association Subcultural
Anomie/Strain
Journal Article:
Community Policing Social EcologyReisig & Parks
Major Theorists:
Shaw and McKay
Sutherland and Cressey
Sykes and Matza
Akers
Wolfgang and Ferracuti
Anderson
Merton
Cohen
Cloward and Ohlin
Rosenfeld and Messner
Agnew
PowerPoint Lectures:
ChicagoSchool
Learning & Subcultural Theories
Anomie/Strain Theories
1/13Topics:
FridayControl Theory Deterrence Part 3 Chapter 9
Rational ChoicePart 3 Chapter 8
Routine ActivitiesPart 3 Chapter 11
PowerPoint Lectures:
Rational Choice & Routine Activities
Control Theories
Journal Article:
Bank Robberies Routine Activities TheoryWang
Major Theorists:
Reckless
Hirschi
Gottfredson and Hirschi
Stafford and Warr
Cornish and Clarke
Cohen and Felson
1/13Topics:
SaturdayLabelingPart 1 Chapter 2
Critical CriminologyPart 1 Chapter 3
Feminist PerspectivesPart 1 Chapter 4
Part 2 Chapter 7
PowerPoint Lectures:
Labeling Theory
Critical Criminology
Gender and Crime
Journal Article:
Crime, Disorder, & Hot SpotsWeisburd
Major Theorists:
Lemert
Braithwaite
Quinney
Adler
Daly and Chesney-Lind
Messerschmidt
1/20
SaturdayDevelopmentalPart 3 Chapter 10 Integrated Theories Conclusions
PowerPoint Lectures:
Integrated Theories
Journal Article:
Juvenile InformantsDodge
Major Theorists:
Moffitt
Sampson and Laub
Elliott et al.
Cullen
Please read the selected journal articles for class discussion on the dates indicated above. Otherwise, the readings are from the Simpson text.
1