Crime in America Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

CRIJ-1307-001 Crime in America

Prerequisites

Course Description

American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crime; impact and crime trends; social characteristics of specific crimes; prevention of crime.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 Criminology, Larry J. Siegel 11th Edition

Supplies

Four (4) mini-blue books and four (4) scan-trons are required. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment. 

Student Performance

1. Be familiar with the sociological perspective and understand the mutual relevance of sociology and criminology.
2. Understand the relationship between crime, deviance and criminal law.
3. Be familiar with the various types of research methods in criminology.
4. Understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy.
5. Be able to evaluate the accuracy of news media coverage of crime and criminal justice.
6. Be acquainted with recent trends in U.S. crime rates.
7. Be familiar with the major social patterns of criminal behavior: gender, race, immigrant status, class and age.
8. Understand how victims are defined and be familiar with the study and analysis of victimization.
9. Be aware of the historical development of explanations of crime and deviance, from theology to science.
10. Be familiar with various criminological theories including, but not limited to rational choice, deterrence, routine activities, containment and social control theories.
11. Appreciate Emile Durkheim's contributions toward understanding deviance as a normal phenomenon and the influence of structural forces on individual behavior.
12. Be able to define specific types of violent crime and be familiar with their patterning and social dynamics and recent U.S. trends.
13. Be able to define specific types of property crime and be familiar with their patterning and social dynamics and recent U.S. trends.
14. Be able to define rape and battering and undertand the social patterning of both, including the implications of social class and race.
15. Be acquainted with the various types of fraud and understand the costs therein.
16. Be able to define white-collar crime, including the conceptual problems involved.
17. Be able to define political crime and be familiar with the major categories involved.
18. Understand the issues surrounding the consensual crime debate.
19. Understand the history of drug use and the prevalence of legal and illegal drug use.
20. Understand the sociological prescription for crime reduction, including the components of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies.

This course will be guided by meeting the above referenced Student Performance objectives. At the end of the semester, students are expected to have a basic understanding of the field of criminology and the essential elements therein.
 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1. Cell phones, pagers, or any electronic devices must be turned off during the class hours.

2. Students caught cheating will have their examinations confiscated and, at a minimum, 
receive a grade of F for that examination. Additionally, such students may receive a grade of F 
in the course.
 

Grading Criteria

Grading: 
Exams:
Each student will be required to take four (4) exams over the semester. 

• The exam will consist of 50True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. Each question will be worth 1 point for a total of 50 points. In addition to the True/False, multiple choice and/or matching question there will be an essay/short answer section worth 50 points. 
• The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. Each question will be worth 2 points for a total of 200 points. There will be no essay/short answer section on the final exam.

Term Paper:
Each student will turn in a 3 -5 page term paper comparing and contrasting two theories that the student will sign up for on the first night of class. If the student is not present the first night of class two theories will be chosen at random for the student. An outline of the paper will be due October 27th, 2011. The outline, which will be a percentage of the final term paper grade, will give an overview of the paper. The final paper is due November 8th, 2011. See attached guidelines for outline and term paper requirements. 

Participation: 
Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions. A grade of up to 100 points will be accessed based on the student’s participation which includes attendance during the semester.

Homework:
Each student will turn in 4 homework assignments throughout the semester. Each homework assignment will be worth 50 points. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class on the day it is assigned.

Grading Scheme:
Exam 1 100 Points 
Exam 2 100 Points
Exam 3 100 Points 
Final Exam 200 Points 
Term Paper 150 Points 
Term Paper Outline 50 Points
Participation 100 Points 
Homework 200 Points 
Total Points Available 1000 Points

A = Point range between 900 and 1000
B = Point range between 800 and 899
C = Point range between 700 and 799
D = Point range between 600 and 699
F = Point range below 599 

Makeup Policy: 
No EXAMS CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. 
Extra Credit may be given, if a student’s missed exam warrants the option. 
 

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required. A student is allowed one absence. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

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