Crime in America Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

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-1307-001 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, Steven E. Barkan 6^th Edition, ISBN# 978-0-13-345899-2

Supplies

Four (4) Scantrons 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 Scantron portion. Five (5) Scantrons are required for quizzes. 

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives
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

Student 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

Behavioral Expectations (Rules of the Classroom)

1.       Be in class on time, stay until the class is over.

2.       All cell phones, or other electronic communications devices, except laptops used solely for class note taking/presentations, are to be turned off.

4.       Sleeping in class is unacceptable and will result in loss of participation points.

5.       Come to class prepared.

6.       Common respect and courtesy toward the instructor and fellow students is required. You are not required to agree with the ideas or opinions of others but you are required to show respect to any person voicing them.

7.       Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero, removal from class and referral to the college administration.

8.       Most importantly, come prepared to ask questions and offer ideas.

9.       Any problems with the material or class should be brought to the instructor’s attention as soon as possible.

Grading Criteria

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three (3) major exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester.  
The exam will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. In addition to the True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, there will be an essay/short answer section.   
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. There will be no essay/short answer section on the final exam.

Homework:

About Me Paper:

Each student will turn in a 1-2 page paper giving a brief overview of their life and what they hope to accomplish with their degree. The paper is due September 3, 2014. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.

Each student will turn in 3 homework assignments throughout the semester. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class. You must be in class to turn in your homework. I will not accept homework via email unless I have approved before the day the homework is due.

Quizzes:
Each student is responsible for reading and keeping up with the material. To ensure students are reading, 5 quizzes will be given at random during the semester. 

Participation:
Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions.  You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

Grading Scheme:
Exams                         40%
Participation                 10%
Quizzes                       20%
Homework                    30%
Total                            100%

A = 100%-90%

B = 89%-80%
C = 79%-70%
D = 69%-60%

F = 59% and below

Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS or QUIZZES CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. If an exam is missed, the grade will be replaced with the score you make on the final exam. This policy applies to one exam only. If you miss more than one exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the other missed exams. If you do not miss any exam during the semester, the grade on the mandatory final exam, will replace the lowest major exam grade. 

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.

If you arrive to class late, it is your responsibility to make sure I’ve marked you present, otherwise the absence will stand. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Homework Assignments:

September 3^rd  – Due at the Beginning of Class
All About Me Paper guidelines

Purpose- To introduce yourself to the instructor.

Topics-

The paper needs to include information about your background, experiences, career goals, and anything in your life that may affect your performance in this class. 

Length –

• Minimum 1 Page
• Maximum 2 Pages

Specifics –

• APA format

• Times New Roman and 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header

Grading –

• Organization – 50%
• Following the assignment – 50%
• TOTAL = 100%

 

September 15th – Due at the Beginning of Class
After reading What Would You Do? Scenarios #2 on page 63 of the textbook, write a one to two page typed summary answering the questions. Additional research may be necessary to answer the questions. Be sure to site all sources including your textbook, and include a bibliography.

November 12^th  – Due at the Beginning of Class

After Reading the Review and Discuss questions on pages 94, 118, 125, 140, 145, 154, 162, 163, 168, 176, 188 write one typed paragraph answering each question. Be sure to site all sources including your text book, and include a bibliography.