CJ 480, Criminological Theories Syllabus, Spring 2011

Transcription

1 CJ 480, Criminological Theories Syllabus, Spring 2011 Subject to change with notice. Tuesday 7:00-9:45 p.m.; Room TBA W. T. Jordan, Instructor Office: 133N Academic Bldg. Phone: (I answer 2-3 times each week on a triage basis -- i.e. emergencies first.) Fax: URL: On-campus office hours: tba LINKS Lecture Outline ASSIGNMENTS GRADES Graduate Students Graduate Research Paper Course Description: This course describes the role of theory in crime scholarship. It surveys the major schools of thought related to crime causation (sociological, psychological, and biological) and particular theories about crime and delinquency, places these theories in historical context, and reviews some of the primary assumptions of the theories and conclusions reached from criminology research. Purpose: Understand the fundamental elements of the major explanations of criminal behavior. Student Learner Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to Remember and recall major concepts from theories. Demonstrate understanding of biological, psychological, and social influences on criminal behavior by distinguishing between a variety of

2 theoretical elements. Analyze offender case histories and correctly apply theoretical concepts. Identify and defend a particular theory as best at explaining given offender case histories. Course Materials: Required: Miller, Schreck, & Tewksbury Criminological Theory: A Brief Introduction, 3rd ed. o ISBN: Capote, Truman, In Cold Blood. o ISBN: Books and articles as needed by individual students or as assigned in class. Computer and internet access. MS- Word, software, internet browser, that is compatible with Blackboard/Web-CT. All written work must be turned in as a MS-Word document. Graduate Students -- Additional requirements apply -- see instructor prior to registering for the course. Grading Policy: Letter Grades are based on exams, written assignments, quizzes, participation, etc. You must participate substantially and collegially in the course. Each of these components will contribute proportionally to the final grade as indicated in the table below. Planned Activities: % POINTS Term Paper -- Theory Application to In Cold Blood 40% Exams 60% Optional Extra Credit: Additional Book Review (5%) Subject to change with notice (Lack of substantive discussion will result in the addition of participation grades and graded pop-quizzes to maximize "student engagement") Final course grades will be determined according to the proportion of total points available. If for any reason some activities are added, canceled, or modified, the total proportion available will be adjusted to reflect this. The following scale provides the absolute floor for assigning letter grades. However, to more closely align class grades with A&M-Texarkana management and student expectations, if necessary, adjustments will be made to insure that at least two-thirds of the class receives A's and B's and all students substantially completing the course receive passing grades.

3 Theoretical Grading Scale: 90% - 100% = A 80% - 89% = B 70% - 79% = C 60% - 69% = D 0 59% = F Every out-of-class assignment includes the requirement to make and keep a copy of your written work in case the original is lost or misplaced. Students are encouraged to make an appointment to review and discuss graded material and their progress in the course. No Grade of "incomplete" will be given except in the most unusual circumstances that reasonably preclude completion of the course (e.g. you are in a coma) -- poor grades is not an acceptable reason. No additional extra credit assignments will be given; please do not ask. Notice must be given, and arrangements made prior to an excused absence or late assignment. You are strongly encouraged to complete your written assignments early when possible to avoid missed deadlines due to technology or other circumstances. If the final exam is missed due to legitimate absence, a grade of "I" will be given until the makeup is taken. Makeup exams may be a different format and different questions from the regular exams. Late work will be reduced in grade by 10% every day that it is late, beginning immediately after the deadline. Late work at the end of the semester may result in a zero or an "X" (incomplete). Note that you are responsible to be in class every day that the class meets. Exam and activity dates are tentative and may be moved. If you are absent, you are responsible to get from other students the notes, syllabus changes, assignments, instructions, or other announcements that are given in class. Absence can negatively affect your grade. Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling Academic Dishonesty: "Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and copying or undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty, and may be grounds for a grade of "F" in the course and/or disciplinary action. The student is responsible for reading and understanding the University Policy on Academic Integrity" (Faculty Senate Statement on Academic Honesty). Please review the Student Code of Conduct and the statement on Academic Dishonesty in the Catalog, then read the explanation of plagiarism supplied by TurnItIn at Any act of academic dishonesty will normally result in an "F" in the course and referral to the university judicial system. At this level of scholarship, students should understand the severity of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation of another's work. The instructor encourages questions regarding citations, references, cheating, improper behavior, and academic ethics. You should review this page within the first two weeks of class. When in doubt, ASK the instructor! A&M-Texarkana Address: Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an A&M-Texarkana account. This account will be used

4 to deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via the university account and is expected to check the official A&M- Texarkana account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required to utilize the university account when communicating about coursework. Classroom Courtesy: Cell phone and beepers: Students are required to turn off cell phones and beepers while in the classroom. If an emergency situation exists (or on-call law enforcement officers) which requires you to be contacted immediately, you are expected to discuss the situation with the professor prior to the beginning of class. Students are expected to refrain from talking to each other while formal instruction is being presented. This applies to the professor's and students' presentations (Amended from the College of Health and Behavioral Science statement on classroom courtesy). Online students can disregard. Course Schedule WEEK/DATES TOPIC/AGENDA READING/OTHER Week 1 Week 2 Week 2 Week 3 Week 3 Introduction to course Supernatural Explanations Introduction to Criminology and Theory Intro to Theory, Cont'd. Measuring Crime; Correlates, and Patterns Classical and Choice Theory Pre-Test; Personal Theory Exercise; Blackboard familiarization. Ch. 1 Week 4 Cont'd. Ch. 2; and pp Week 4 Exam 1 Week 5 Week 5 Intro. Positivism Biological Theory Bio. Cont'd. Ch. 3 Week 6 Psychological Theory (Freudian) Ch. 4

5 Week 6 Week 7 Cont'd. (Behaviorism) Cont'd. (Neuro-psych) Week 7 Exam 2 Week 8 Intro. Social Structural Theories Ch. 5 Week 8 Week 9 Social Structural Theories Durkheim Social Disorganization Social Disorganization, Cont'd. Ch. 5 Week 9 Strain Theories & Subcultural Theories Ch. 7 Week 10 Cont'd. pp Week 10 Subcultural, Cont'd Week 11 Exam 3 Week 11 Week 12 Social Process Theories Learning Theories Control Theories pp Ch. 8 Week 12 Control Cont'd. Optional Extra Credit Book Review Due. Submit in MS-Word format to turnitin.com Week 13 Process Cont'd. Week 13 Labeling Theories pp Week 14 Conflict Theories Ch. 9 Week 14 Conflict/Radical Cont'd. Term Papers and Book Indexes due submit in MS-Word format to turnitin.com. Week 15 Integrated Theories Ch. 10 Week 15 Exam 4 Week 16 Discussion of Papers

6 copyright: W. T. Jordan Revised,