1 JACKSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE @ VO-TECH Adrian, MI~LISD Campus COURSE SYLLABUS: CRIMINOLOGY Spring 2009 ~ 6:00pm-9:34pm, Tuesdays, May 19-August 4 COURSE TITLE: CRJ 117.71 Criminology PREREQUISITES: Eng 085 and Eng 090 INSTRUCTOR: Dan Verlin TELEPHONE: 517/262-2117 EMAIL: [email protected] OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment DUE DATES: July 14~Research Paper Topic & Synopsis August 14~Prison Paper & Research Paper COURSE DESCRIPTION The course provides an understanding of the cultural nature, origin, and development of criminal behavior with attention given to the psychological and sociological factors involved. The course offers a framework for studying criminology and provides a thorough introduction to criminological theory and major forms of criminal behavior. The course also provides an overview of the entire criminal justice system. COURSE OBJECTIVES At the completion of the course, the student should be able to: - Understand what criminology is and what criminologists do - Define crime - Recognize the concepts of crime, law, and criminology - Know what a theory of crime causation is, and be able to explain the role of theorizing in the study of criminal behavior - Distinguish between various crime typologies - Define and describe the major components of the criminal justice system2 ASSOCIATE DEGREE OUTCOMES (ADO’S) The course will stress the following essential skills, knowledge, and abilities of college educated individuals: ADO 2 Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and use information including written and oral forms. ADO 4 Demonstrate the ability to examine problems and issues related to the criminal justice system and criminal behavior in particular and employ appropriate critical thinking skills. ADO 5 Demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team to solve problems, complete tasks and evaluate roles of other team members. ADO 7 Demonstrate the ability to think critically. ADO 8 Demonstrate the ability to make responsible decisions in personal and professional contexts. ADO 9 Demonstrate the ability to work productively with others, recognizing individual contributions to group success. ADO 10 Demonstrate an understanding of at least 3 competing theories as applied to the causes, effects and continuation of criminal behavior. REQUIRED TEXT Siegel, Larry J., Criminology The Core, Third Edition METHOD OF INSTRUCTION - Lecture - Class Discussion - Individual Exercises & Group Activities - Textbook Material - Handout Material - Video Presentations - Prison Tour & Paper - Research Paper - Guest Speakers - Examinations3 ATTENDANCE It is expected that you attend class regularly. You will be responsible for what is assigned in the text and what is discussed or presented in class, as well as, completing the prison tour/paper and term paper. All 150 class attendance and participation points, shall be forfeited as a result of three (3), unexcused absences. An unexcused absence results when the student fails to obtain instructor approval for missing a class session, prior to the absence occurring. Contact the instructor by phone or email, to obtain approval for an absence. Instructor reserves the right to require the student to provide verification to excuse the absence. Three (3), late arrivals or early departures from class of more than 15 minutes, without notifying the instructor and obtaining approval, are the equivalent of one (1) unexcused absence. Punctuality is essential for the prison tour. If late for the prison tour, the student will forfeit all 100 points awarded for attending the tour & for the corresponding paper. If you are unable to be at an exam, discuss the reason with the instructor, prior to the exam date. Make-up exams are permitted in rare cases and are at the discretion of the instructor. GRADE POINTS & SCALE Students may accumulate 1000 points: - 500 points from 5 exams - 250 points for the research paper - 150 points for attendance & participation - 100 points for prison visit & paper - (Note: Instructor’s discretion to award “Extra Points” accordingly, as incentives for successful participation in designated classroom exercises.) o 900 plus 4.0 o 850~899 3.5 o 800~849 3.0 o 750~799 2.5 o 700~749 2.0 o 650~699 1.5 o 600~649 1.0 o Below 599 0.04 COURSE SCHEDULE MAY 19 Tuesday Introduction Victimization Key Terms Chapters 1, 2, 3 Extra Credit Exercises Assigned 26 Tuesday Chapter 1, Crime & Criminology Chapter 2, The Nature & Extent of Crime Chapter 3, Victims and Victimization Review for Exam Exercises Delivered & Assigned JUNE 2 Tuesday Exam Chapters 1, 2, 3 Key Terms Chapters 4, 5, 6 Exercises Delivered & Assigned 9 Tuesday Chapter 4, Choice Theory Chapter 5, Trait Theory Chapter 6, Social Structure Theory Review for Exam Exercises Delivered & Assigned 16 Tuesday Exam Chapters 4, 5, 6 Key Terms Chapters 7, 8, 9 Exercises Delivered & Assigned 23 Tuesday Chapter 7, Social Process Theory Chapter 8, Critical Criminology Chapter 9, Developmental Theories Review for Exam Exercises Delivered & Assigned5 30 Tuesday Exam Chapters 7, 8, 9 Key Terms Chapters 10, 11, 12 Exercises Delivered & Assigned JULY 7 Tuesday Chapter 10, Violent Crime Chapter 11, Property Crime Chapter 12, Enterprise Crime Review for Exam Exercises Delivered & Assigned 14 Tuesday Research Paper Topic & Synopsis Due Exam Chapters 10, 11, 12 Key Terms Chapters 13 & 14 Exercises Delivered & Assigned 21 Tuesday Prison Tour ~ RGC