Crime in America Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

CRIJ-1307-003 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 A Sociological Understanding, 5th edition. (2012) by Steven E. Barkan.  ISBN-13: 9780135109793

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Supplies

All students enrolling in this class must have the assigned text and access to a working computer, active internet service, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.

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. Be able to define specific types of violent crime and be familiar with their patterning and social dynamics and recent U.S. trends.
12. Be able to define specific types of property crime and be familiar with their patterning and social dynamics and recent U.S. trends.
13. Be able to define rape and battering and undertand the social patterning of both, including the implications of social class and race.
14. Be acquainted with the various types of fraud and understand the costs therein.
15. Be able to define white-collar crime, including the conceptual problems involved.
16. Be able to define political crime and be familiar with the major categories involved.
17. Understand the issues surrounding the consensual crime debate.
18. Understand the history of drug use and the prevalence of legal and illegal drug use.
19. 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

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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

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1. \ The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part.
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2. \ Log into the class on a daily basis to check for class announcements & emails and ensure understanding of all applicable due dates.
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3. \ Complete all assigned reading. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
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4. \ At times, the discussion board topics will address sensitive subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions.and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate manner.
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5. \ Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions or within email content.
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6. \ Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course.
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7. \ Cheating will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will generally result in a grade of zero or removal from the course.
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Grading Criteria

\ Homework  [30% of cumulative grade]

\ Quizzes [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Discussion Assignments [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Exams [30% of cumulative grade]
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\ Students will  be required to turn in assignments on the specified dates, as referenced on the class calendar. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Attendance

\ REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS.

\ It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

\ Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact the instructor via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
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Calendar

Additional Information

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