SOCIOLOGY 372 : CRIMINOLOGY
FALL 2002
CLASS INFORMATION: INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Location- Quigley 306 Paul D. White
Day(s)/Time: T, TH 12:35-1:50 p.m. Office: Faner #3429
Office Hours: T: 11:00-12:00/2:00-5:00 Phone: (618) 453-7621
TH: 11:00-12:00/4:30-5:30
COURSE MATERIALS:
Siegal, Larry J. 2001. Criminology: Theories, Patterns and Typologies,
7th Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. (S)
Messner, Steven F. and Richard Rosenfeld. 2001. Crime and the American
Dream, 3rd Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. (M/R)
Reiman, Jeffrey. 2001. The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Prison,
6th Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (R)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the study of crime, criminals, and crime
theory. The course is divided into two substantive areas: (1) What is
crime? And (2) What causes crime? Students will formulate their own answers
to these questions based upon course discussion, lecture, and materials.
The course will focus on the socially constructed nature of crime. Students
will review recent critical works that have argued that efforts to respond
to criminal behaviors have been political in nature. The basis of the
class will be grounded on historical and contemporary biological, individual
and societal explanations for crime. The two major goals for this course
are for students to: 1) develop an understanding of the complex relationship
between crime and society; and 2) learn to identify the underlying assumptions
inherent in any societal approach to crime.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Exams: There will be a minimum of three in - class exams. The majority
of test items will be multiple choice with the additional possibility
of definition and essay questions. The exams will include material from
lectures, discussions and assigned readings. The final exam will be comprehensive.
Chapter Quizzes: At the discretion of the instructor, chapter quizzes
may be given after the material in each chapter has been covered.
Pop Quizzes: At the discretion of the instructor, pop quizzes may be given
at any time during the course.
Research Paper: A five page applied criminology/position research paper
will be required for the class. APA format, typed with 3-5 professional
scholarly references, i.e. Journal of Criminology. One internet source
may be used but must be cited, text sources do not count.
GRADING:
Letter grades will be assessed and assigned as follows:
A: 100/91%
B: 90/80%
C: 79/70%
D: 69/60%
F: 59% and below
Exam I - 100 points
Exam II- 100 points
Final- 200 points
Applied Criminology paper-75 points
In Class Assignments/Activities-25 points
Class Participation/Attendance – 10 points Bonus
POLICIES:
Make-ups/Incompletes: Make-ups of any exam and other assignments may be
allowed if the student provides written documentation from a qualified
professional for the excused absence. The form of the make-up is within
the discretion of the instructor. Grades of incomplete are only an option
in extreme circumstances and are also at the discretion of the instructor.
Academic Dishonesty: College and University policy regarding plagiarism,
cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty will be followed and enforced
within this course. If you are not familiar with your responsibilities
and rights, and the definitions of academic dishonesty and its consequences
refer to the Student Code of Conduct or see an academic advisor.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE AND REQUIRED READINGS:
AUGUST
20 Chap. 1 Crime and Criminology (S) Siegal
22 Chap. 1 (S) Cont. and Crime Control in America, Intro. and Chap. 1
(R) Reiman
27 Chap. 2 Criminal Law and Its Processes (S)
29 Chap. 2 (S) Cont. and A Crime by Any Other Name, Chap. 2 (R)
SEPTEMBER
3 Chap. 3 The Nature and Extent of Crime (S)
5 Chap. 3 (S) Cont. and The Poor Get Prison, Chap. 3 (R)
10 Chap. 4 Victims and Victimization (S)
12 Chap. 4 (S) Cont. and To the Vanquished Belong the Spoils, Chap. 4
(R) with conclusion/appendix
17 Exam I Chap. 5 Choice Theory (S)
19 Chap. 5 (S) Cont.
24 Chap. 6 Trait Theories (S)
26 Chap. 6 (S) Cont.
OCTOBER
1 Chap. 7 Social Structure Theories (S)
3 Chap. 7 (S) Cont.
8 Chap. 8 Social Process Theories (S)
10 Chap. 8 (S) Cont.
15 Chap. 9 Conflict Theory (S)
17 Chap. 9 (S) Cont.
22 Chap. 10 Integrated Theory (S)
24 Chap. 10 (S) Cont.
29 Exam II Chap. 11 Violent Crime (S)
31 Chap. 11 (S) Cont. and Chap.1 A Society Organized for Crime (M/R) Messner
and Rosenfeld
NOVEMBER
5 Chap. 12 Property Crime (S)
7 Chap. 12 (S) Cont. and Chap. 2 By Any Means Necessary (M/R)
12 Chap. 13 White-Collar and Organized Crime (S)
14 Chap. 13 Cont. and Chap. 3 Ships in the Night (M/R)
19 Chap. 14 Public Order Crime (S)
21 Chap. 14 Cont. and Chap. 4 Culture, Institutional Structure and Social
Control (M/R)
26 Thanksgiving
28 Break
DECEMBER
3 Chap. 5 Strengthening Social Institutions and Rethinking the American
Dream (M/R)
5 Course and Final Review Paper Due
9-13 Finals week/ Final Exam – Tue., Dec. 10th 12:50/2:50 p.m.
|