TEXT, REFERENCES AND SUPPLIES:

TEXT - REQUIRED: Siegel, L.J. (2005). Criminology: the core (2nd. ed.). Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth (ISBN: 0-534-62937-7)

REFERENCE MATERIALS USED BY INSTRUCTOR:
Brown, S.E., Esbensen, F., & Geis, G. (1991). Criminology: Explaining Crime and Its Context. Cincinnati: Anderson.

Siegel, L.J. (2000). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Siegel, L.J. (1998). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: West/Wadsworth.

United States Government. Department of Justice. Uniform Crime Reports - various editions. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

Vetter, H.J. & Silverman, I.J. (1986). Crime and Criminology: An Introduction. New York: Harper Row.

Yablonsky, L. (1990). Criminology: Crime and Criminality (4th ed.). New York: Harper Row.

Additionally: A number of handouts are provided during the semester, which you are expected to read, and may be included on examinations.

SUPPLIES: Students will bring notebooks or paper for taking notes, pens, pencils, and other materials as required by the instructor to class. It is suggested that you always have both pencils and pens available, in the event an unannounced quiz is given.

COURSE GOALS/ OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Define criminology, law, crime, tort, organized crime, various sex offenses, and other terms relevant to this course

(Being able to define and use terms applicable to one’s profession is essential to becoming a professional)

Explain the Uniform Crime Report and identify the eight index crimes in the United States

(Index crimes are used as barometer of crime rates; used for staffing, budgeting, distribution of personnel)

Relate the importance of studying crime to understanding police work and reducing and controlling crime

(Understanding the nature of the work is essential to preventing, reducing and solving crime)

Explain crime as human behavior

(People and their behavior are our business)

Discuss the relationship between crime and the economy

(Crime trends are important to preventing or reducing crime)

Discuss the effect of reinforcements on criminal behavior

(Understanding behavior is key to dealing with abnormal or unacceptable behavior)

Explain various theories of crime, including labeling and secondary deviance, differential association, victim precipitation, conflict theories, and others addressed in class

(Understanding what motivates criminals is essential to solving crimes and reducing recidivism)

ACTIVITIES: Write at least two papers addressing theories of crime
Identify, discuss and explain certain predictors of future criminal behavior

(Identifying predictors plays a big part in preventing crime)

Explain the relationships between density, air pollution, and temperature and crime and aggression

(Understanding what affects behavior helps one understand why people misbehave)

Explain concept of being victim-prone

(Preventing victimization reduces crime)

Explain factors associated with violent crime

(Violent crime harms all of society; dealing with it is the job of the police; preventing it is essential to a peaceful community)

Discuss family violence as a law enforcement problem

(Family violence pulls at the very threads of society and presents some of the most dangerous situations to officers; dealing with it effectively is a societal and safety issue)

Explain the concept of dehumanization

(Knowing how criminals view victims helps solve cases, assists in interrogations, and helps explain motivations for crime)

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLASS POLICIES:

Students must dedicate themselves to learning while in college. You should read each chapter before it is discussed in class, and use the study questions at the end of the syllabus to your advantage, completing the answers as they are addressed in class. Additional time is required for preparing for examinations. Attendance is important in this class.

Portable cellular phones, beepers, and similar paging devices are disruptive to the class, and you are encouraged NOT to bring them into the classroom. If you do bring them to class, please make sure they are turned off. Should they become a nuisance, you will be asked to remove them from the classroom.

If you are absent when a major examination is given, you are expected to make up the work as soon as possible after the absence. It is preferable that the missed work be made up the next day the student returns to class. A failure to make up the examination within a week of returning to class will result in a grade of zero for the missed examination. Make-up examinations may be the same as, or different from, the examination given in class.

The instructor reserves the right to give quizzes, announced or unannounced, at any time. If you miss a quiz, you will by given an alternative assignment to make up the grade.


WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: Specific instructions for preparing and submitting required assignments are found in this syllabus. Writing papers is an integral part of your learning and preparation for a career in criminal justice. Follow these instructions carefully. If you are unsure of yourself, and have questions, make an appointment to see your instructor.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS:

This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

Major examinations: (4 major exams including the final) 100 points each exam. One exam is in 1st six-week period; one is in the 2nd six-week period; one is in the 3rd six-week period, plus the final examination.
Papers: (See instructions) Two papers, each counting 200 points. Both papers will be included in the 3rd six-week period. Some research and preparation will be done during class time.

An attendance and participation grade will be awarded at the end of each six-week period. Grading will be determined by attendance, participation in class discussion, and preparation for class. 100 points.

Chapter assignments: Assignments will be made for each chapter. These will be short assignments; the value of each will be determined when assigned, based on individual assignments.

Examinations are primarily by multiple choice questions. Occasionally, essay questions are used, offering the student the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in specific areas, and explain their thoughts, beliefs, understandings and perceptions.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

The class meets for three lecture hours per week.
An outline of the course is included in this syllabus. This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

SCANS INFORMATION:

The following SCANS* skills are taught and/or reinforced in this course:
Information: Acquires and uses information. Students will: learn various theories on criminal behavior and apply them to classroom discussion and scenarios.
Technology: Works with a variety of technologies. Students will learn concepts of profiling offenders, computers as tools of crime, and research methods used to study criminal behavior.
Reading: Locates, understands and interprets written information. Students will: demonstrate the ability to read and interpret data provided in class handouts; students will research and read information on crime and socioeconomics, and discuss it in class.
Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Students will: prepare a term paper on assigned topic; students may be required to submit additional written reports or papers.
Listening/Speaking: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages in ways appropriate to the purpose; organizes ideas and communicates appropriate messages. Students will: participate in class discussion, answer questions directed at them, participate in reviews and ask questions as necessary to clarify material.
Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, decision making, and problem solving. Students will: relate human behavior to theories on criminal behavior.
*SCANS are workplace competencies established by the federal government; documentation of them is required in each program.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Office Hours: Subject to change each semester, office hours are posted and announced in class.

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION

Two principles should guide you through your education. First, from your education you should learn "how to think, not what to think." The second is from Dr. Gennaro Vito (1999), and has 10 parts:

1. Work is good. Hard work is even better.
2. Preparation is the key to success.
3. Quality and presentation count.
4. Revision improves all things.
5. Learn to use all the tools available to you.
6. Work must be completed on time.
7. Time is more valuable than money.
8. Do not become an educated fool.
9. Nothing stays the same. Either you get better or your get worse.
10. The classroom is no place for democracy.

COURSE OUTLINE CRIJ 1307 Fall 2006:
This course is offered on-line (BlackBoard) in the Fall 2007 semester.

This course outline is for Siegel’s Criminology: The Core (2nd ed).

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

This course, Crime in America, has, as a requirement for successful completion, two writing assignments. You will select two theories of crime and write a paper on each selected theory. Effective coverage of your selected theories will necessarily require some research of the material. You may select a theory in the text, or one that you learn about from another source. More specific information on assignments/theories will be given in class.
There is no “minimum length” for these papers, but they must include a title page and reference page, and must be double spaced. The grade will be determined by the quality of the paper, including grammar, composition, and adequacy of coverage of the selected theory. Do not include an abstract with these papers.
Grading will be based upon the content, the apparent effort put forth, the data reported, the accuracy of information, the composition, style and grammar used. Special attention should be given to sentence structure and vocabulary. You must use at least three sources for each paper, one of which may be the textbook.
In the social sciences (sociology, criminology, psychology, etc) the preferred style of writing papers is the American Psychological Association (APA) Style. For students interested in learning this style, a manual for writing in the APA style is available. If you have questions about the APA style, contact your instructor. You are not required to write in this style. You must, however, cite all references and use an accepted citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, Terabian, etc.). It is suggested that you start with a style with which you are familiar, and progress to new styles.

THE DUE DATES OF THE PAPERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.
PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE FOR ANY REASON.
The papers count 200 points each, a significant part of your grade.

Only original copies of the paper will be graded. Carbon/Xerox copies are not acceptable. Papers must be stapled in the upper left corner, and not be enclosed in any type of plastic or paper folder.
MAKE A COPY OF YOUR PAPER BEFORE SUBMITTING IT.

WARNING
In the past, students have procrastinated on writing assignments. Students have had such problems as typing papers on the night before they are due, and having the electricity go out, losing not only the computer, but the whole report; or having relied on another student to type a paper on the day it is due, the typist arrived at school late, and the paper was not ready on time. You are responsible for your work, and excuses such as these will not cause a paper to be accepted late!

REVIEW FOR EXAMINATION 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3)

1. Be able to define all key words in the text.
2. Explain what is meant by the statement, “Criminology is an interdisciplinary science.”
3. Discuss the history of criminology as outlined in the text, including the contributions of Beccaria, studies by Gall and Spurzheim, Lombroso, Comte, and Durkheim, as well as the Chicago School and conflict criminology.
4. Explain what criminologists do and how that helps criminal justice professionals prevent, reduce and solve crimes.
5. Discuss the historical development of crime, including the importance of mores and folkways, the Code of Hammurabi, the Roman Twelve Tables and the Norman Conquest of 1066.
6. Explain the differences between instrumental and expressive crime.
7. Discuss the differences between and similarities among crimes and torts, felonies and misdemeanors, mala in se and mala prohibita acts, actus reus and mens reus.
8. Explain the concept of criminal defenses, as given in the text.
9. Explain the reporting of crime in terms of what we call the crime rate.
10. Discuss problems associated with the Uniform Crime Report.
11. Discuss the relationships between age, gender, race and social class and crime, as discussed in class and in the text.
12. Discuss the effects of crime on victims, such as direct and indirect loss, cost, suffering and other problems as discussed in the text.
13. Discuss the characteristics of victims, as given in the text.
14. Explain the theories of victimization, especially victim precipitation, lifestyle, and routine activities.

REVIEW FOR EXAMINATION 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6)

1. Be able to define all key words in the text.
2. Differentiate between general and specific deterrence.
3. Explain the effect of capital punishment on recidivism rates.
4. Discuss the effect of arrest on domestic violence.
5. Explain incapacitation as a means of preventing or controlling crime.
6. Explain the relationship between crime and MBD, PMS, IQ, & ADHD.
7. Discuss the effects of learning potential, chemical influences, hypoglycemia, hormones, and allergens on crime.
8. Discuss the question, “Are criminals made or born?”
9. Explain the effect of reduced social mobility on the occurrence of crime.
10. What are the characteristics of lower-class crime?
11. Explain the following: strain theories, social disorganization, & cultural deviance.
12. What are the objectives of punishment, as given in class.
13. For society to have a strong connection between crime and a lack of money, what conditions must exist?
14. What are transitional neighborhoods and what is their relationship to crime?
15. How does Cohen describe the delinquent subculture?

REVIEW FOR EXAMINATION 3 (Chapters 7, 8, 9)

1. Be able to define all key words in the text.
2. Explain Sutherland’s theory of Differential Association.
3. Discuss the phenomenon of crimes of obedience.
4. Discuss the phenomenon that occurs when an individual loses his identity through group association.
5. Discuss the concept of labeling as it relates to criminal behavior.
6. Discuss the theory of Radical Criminology.
7. The Marxist theory identifies how many classes of people in society?
8. Discuss identified indicators of future career criminal behavior.
9. Describe the pathways to crime as explained in the text.
10. Explain how some criminals attempt to justify their behavior by denying responsibility or condemning others.
11. Discuss the relationships between crime and family relations, education and peer relations.
12. Explain the various roles identified in the text as being associated with Social Conflict Theories.
13. Explain the Latent Trait Theory.
14. Discuss what, according to the text, makes people crime prone.
15. Explain the General Theory of Crime (GTC).

REVIEW FOR EXAMINATION 4 (COMPREHENSIVE)

(Chapters 10, 11, 13 and material from entire course)

1. Be able to define all key words in the text.
2. Explain why certain sex offenses receive less attention from the police than others, according to the text and lecture.
3. Explain the causes of rape, as discussed in the text.
4. Explain hate crimes.
5. Explain the various degrees of murder, as explained in the text.
6. Identify those offenses included in the UCR’s Index Crimes.
7. Discuss political violence as discussed in the text.
8. Discuss causes and motives for arson.
9. Explain the typology of burglars, robbers and thieves.
10. Of the various human emotions, which is most disorganizing?
11. Explain murder statistics, including who is killed, who kills, what is used, when and where they occur in the United States.
12. Explain instrumental aggression.
13. Discuss the relationships between frustration, overcrowding, population density, temperature and violent crime.
14. Discuss the crime of burglary, including statistics.
15. Discuss the crime of shoplifting.