Sociology 372: Criminology

Spring 2002

Course Materials:

Beirne, Piers and James Messerschmidt. 2000. Criminology, 3^rd Edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. (B/M)

Messner, Steven F. and Richard Rosenfeld. 2001. Crime and the American Dream, 3^rdEdition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. (M/R)

Reiman, Jeffrey. 2001. The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Prison, 6^th Edition. Boston: Allyn & 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. Initially, the course will focus on the socially constructed nature of crime. Students will then review some recent critical works which have argued that efforts to respond to criminal behaviors have been political in nature. The conclusion of the class will focus 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:

The points for this course will be divided as follows:

Exams (3 @ 100 points) = 300 points

Debate = 75 points

Social Problem Research Paper = 75 points

Class writings = 50 points

TOTAL = 500 points

Exams: There will be three in-class exams. Each exam will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer and long answer essay questions. The exams will include material from in-class lectures, discussions, debates, and assigned readings. The final exam will not be comprehensive but it may contain concepts covered in earlier sections of the course.

Social Problem Research Paper: Students will be asked to choose a social problem related to crime (e.g. hate crimes, drug abuse, prostitution) and apply at least ONE criminological theory discussed in this class to explain it. The topic must be approved by the instructor. This explanation may involve a micro discussion of individual choices regarding involvement in the problem behavior, or it may involve a macro discussion of societal factors which lead to the social problem existing in our society. Neither a purely research paper on the social problem NOR a strictly theoretical argument is acceptable. The goal of this assignment is for students to practice applying criminological theory to crime problems in society. The paper will primarily be graded on the student's utilization of a theory to explain the selected social problem.

The paper should be at least 8 typed pages. Students will be expected to use (and cite) AT LEAST eight scholarly references (not including course texts) in their paper. Each paper must also have an attached bibliography and should use the correct citation style (see the journalCriminology for examples). Plagiarism is not acceptable! Late papers will lose 8 points per day.

Debate: There will be five organized debates on selected topics during the semester. Students will sign up to participate on one side of one debate, and will work in groups of 3-4 individuals to develop a 10-minute research-based presentation for the class. Following the presentations, each side will entertain debate from the floor and from each other. The content and style of each debate will be evaluated for clarity, thoroughness and organization. All group members will receive the same grade for the presentation unless there has been an uneven division of labor within the group. Each group must also hand in ONE detailed outline and a list of references for their presentation. These materials are due the day of the presentation. Late materials will lose 8 points per day.

Class Writings: Students will be required to complete short writing assignments on assigned topics at several points during the semester. Some of these assignments will be in-class; some will require library research. Each of these writing assignments will be worth 10 points. Information specific to each assignment will be given when it is assigned. These assignments can not be made up unless the absence has been verified by a qualified professional.

Class Participation: This course is set up to provide every student with many opportunities to discuss topics of their choosing. In addition, numerous in-class and out-of-class activities are incorporated into the class schedule to facilitate student learning. Participation during group activities, in-class assignments, discussions and debates shows a minimum level of support for your fellow students, and will be used to assess students' class participation grade. To reward those individuals who contribute in a consistent and cogent manner you may earn up to 20 bonus class participation points. This does not mean you should dominate every discussion to receive credit. Consistent and cogent participation is expected from all students. A significant number of class absences will count against class participation points.

Grading:

Final grades are determined by combining all points earned and referring to the following scale:

Final Grade Point Total

A = 447-500 points

B = 397-446 points

C = 347-396 points

D = 297-346 points

F = fewer than 297 points

Policies:

Incompletes/Make-ups: Grades of incomplete will be at the discretion of the instructor. Make-ups of discussions, exams and other assignments may be allowed if the student provides a written excuse from a qualified professional. The form of the make-up is at the instructor's discretion.

Cheating/Academic Dishonesty: COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS REGARDING PLAGIARISM AND OTHER FORMS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL BE UPHELD IN THIS COURSE. If you are not familiar with the definitions and consequences of cheating or with your rights, refer to your Student Conduct Code or see an academic advisor.

Course Schedule and Required Readings

January 15 Course Orientation; What Is Crime? Group Exercise

17 Crime definitions; Media Group Project B/M: Ch 1

22 Media & Crime

24 Measurement of crime B/M: Ch 2

29 Patterns of Crime: Age, Gender, Class B/M: Ch 15

31 Patterns of Crime: Race

Debate #1: Is the Criminal Justice System Racist?

February 5 Patterns of Crime: Violence B/M: Ch 9; M: Ch. 2

7 Patterns of Crime: Impersonal (?) Crime B/M: Ch 10

Patterns of Crime: "Victim"-less B/M: Ch 11

12 Elite Crime; Costs of Crime B/M: Ch 13,14

Debate #2: Is street crime is more serious than elite crime?

14 FIRST EXAM

19 Crime Through the Looking Glass R: pp. 1-57

21 Cont.

26 Maintaining the Status Quo R: Chaps. 2, 3

28 Cont.

March 5 Defining Justice R: Chaps. 4, Conc.

7 Criminological Theories- Historical

11-15 Spring Break

19 Criminological Theories -Classical B/M: Ch 3

Debate #3: Do individuals freely choose to commit crime?

21 Deterrence

March 26 Biocriminology B/M: Ch 4; M: Ch. 3

Contrasting early theories

28 SECOND EXAM

April 2 Anomie, Strain B/M: Ch 5.1, 5.3, 8.3

Debate #4: Does U.S. culture encourage criminality?

4 No class- Library Research

9 Anomie and the American Dream M: Ch 1, 4

11 Institutional Control and Anomie M: Ch 5

16 Social Disorganization B/M: Ch 5.2, 8.1

18 Social Control B/M: Ch 6, 8.2

23 Social Learning B/M: Ch 5.4, 7.1

PAPER DUE

25 Labeling B/M: Ch 7

Debate #5: Should the United States publicly punish offenders?

30 Critical/Radical Criminology B/M: 8.4; R: Appendix

May 2 Feminist Criminology

Course Synopsis and Review

8, 3:10-5:10 p.m. FINAL EXAM