Crime in America Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Course Information

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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, Larry J. Siegel 11th Edition

Supplies

Four (4) scan-trons with essay space booklets are required for exams. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the scan-tron portion. Five (5) scan-trons are required for quizzes.

Student Performance

\ By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all of the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the course examinations and assignments.

\
\ 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 understand 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.

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

\ 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

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. You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

Quizzes:
Each student is responsible for reading and keeping up with the material. To insure students are reading, 5 quizzes will be given at random during the semester. Each quiz will be worth 20 points. There will be no make up quizzes.

Homework:
Students are expected to read the chapters ahead of class time and be prepared to discuss the issues covered.

Grading Scheme:
All test grades including the final will be averaged for your grade.  The lowest test grade will be dropped, but the final will not be dropped.  Participation in class will earn a point to the final grade at my discretion. 

Makeup Policy:
No  EXAMS or QUIZZES 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 unexcused absence. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available