Crime in America Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Supplies

Ten (10) Scantrons with essay space booklets are required for quizzes and exams. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the Scantron portion.  

Student Performance

 Student Performance / Learning Objectives

1. Understand the distinction between crime and deviance and the various classifications and definitions of criminal offenses.
2. Discuss the different criminological theories and their function in the field of criminal justice.
3. Identify the role of punishment with regards to crime.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of sociological responses to crime control.

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

There are certain requirements that will be necessary for the successful completion of this class.  The requirements are mandatory and are explained fully in this syllabus.

1. Quizzes are given after every chapter
2. Read the chapters; take good notes
3. Be on time. If you need to leave early, sit in the back of the classroom.

You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings and being prepared for class discussions. The textbook readings are intended to provide background information to my lecture.  Because we will be having class discussions when I am lecturing, it is of utmost importance that you read the assigned reading for that particular lecture in the textbook. If for some reason, due to the class discussion, I am unable to lecture on a particular topic in the book you are still responsible for knowing that particular section of the assigned reading. So, please be aware that you will be tested on what the book covers as well as my lectures.  The readings will be from the textbook listed above, as well as any other material that I may handout during the semester. Bring you textbook to every lecture.  In order to be successful in this class you will need to devote equal study time to course lecture as well as the readings; therefore, class participation is expected.

PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 9:00 a.m. Repeated tardiness, cell phones making any type of noise at all, sleeping, talking, reading unrelated class material, distracting behavior, will not be tolerated and I will ask you to leave the classroom if you are engaging in this type of behavior.  DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE IN CLASS

Grading Criteria

Exams:
Each student will be required to take a midterm exam and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester.  
The midterm exam will consist of True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer.  
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of True/False and multiple choice  

Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once testing has begun.  If the student leaves the room, then their test will be taken up and graded based on the questions they have answered up to that point.

Participation:

• Attendance
• Completion of additional assignments: ex. Worksheets, short papers, etc…
• Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions.  You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

 

Quizzes:

There will be 10 chapter quizzes given throughout the year. You must be present at the beginning of class when the quiz is handed out, if you come into class after the quiz is handed out you will not be permitted to take the quiz.

Grading Scheme:
Exam’s                           40%
Participation                  25%
Quizzes                          35%
Total                              100%

A = 100%-89.5%

B = 89.4%-79.5%
C = 79.4%-69.5%
D = 69.4%-59.5%

F = 59.4% and below
 

Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS or QUIZZES CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. 

Extra Credit: All extra credit is due Monday May 2, 2016, NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Students have the opportunity to participate in two (2) extra credit assignments for a total of 15 points added to your final exam. Student’s participation is optional. Students are encouraged to complete the extra credit assignment to mitigate against lost points.

1. This assignment is worth a total of 5 points. Students may choose to keep a homework notebook. At the end of each chapter I will provide a homework assignment. If you choose to participate in this assignment, you must complete every chapter homework assignment to receive credit. I will not provide copies of homework that you miss because you did not attend class.  Each assignment will need to be typed and placed into a binder. You will turn in the binder on the day extra credit is due.
2. This assignment is worth a total of 10 points.  It is very important for people to know and understand the events that are happening locally, nationally and globally. This assignment consists of reading an article pertaining to a specific crime (the article can come from a newspaper, magazine, or internet source) and analyzing the article. The purpose of this assignment is to (1) increase your ability to research current events that pertain to Crime in America, (2) increase your understanding of a particular crime that has been committed; and (3) be able to critically evaluate news articles regarding crime. You are to include the following criteria in your assignment each paper must follow this format EXACTLY to receive credit:
3. Article title   
   1. What is the title of the article? Exact wording
4. Article source  
   1. Using the APA style of citation, where did you get the article?
   2. Cut out, photocopy or print the article and attach it with YOUR written thoughts.
5. Summary  
   1. Briefly and in your own words, summarize the content of the article.
   2. Three (3) sentence minimum.
6. Reaction  
   1. Take a position on the issue contained in the article.
   2. How do you feel about this event?
   3. How does this event affect you? Does it make you fear crime?
   4. Five (5) sentence minimum.
7. Impact on society  
   1. How does this event impact our Nation?
   2. Three (3) sentence minimum.

8. Write your paper in paragraph form, using good sentence structure with proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. Write the paper in your own words. If you need to use a short quote, cite properly. The paper should be one page in length, double-spaced, one inch margins and 12-point font. If you do not include the article, the assignment is worth half credit.

   This is not a critique of whether the article is good or bad. This assignment is a reasoned opinion of the issue presented and to get you to explore your attitudes/thoughts/beliefs on the various topics in the current world of Criminal Justice. Your opinion should be thought out, using the present information and your personal views. (Critical thinking)

   You will need to analyze 5 articles, each article is worth 2 points each.   

DO NOT CONTACT ME AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER REGARDING EXTRA CREDIT, THESE ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR EXTRA CREDIT. 

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required.  A roll sheet will be handed out at the beginning of class, you will sign acknowledging you are present.  If you come in after the sign in sheet has been passed around, you will not be allowed to sign in and will be counted absent for that day.  A student is allowed (2) two absences. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade. In addition, students who regularly attend class and frequently contribute to class discussions may receive an additional point or two if they are on the border of receiving a higher grade at the end of the term.

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”. The last day to drop is April 21, 2016, you must have my permission to drop.  You need to send me an email requesting to drop the class and the reason behind it.

Calendar

Additional Information

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! APA style Format: Use 8.5” x 11” paper Type double-spaced with 1” margins on all edges. Page number should be in the top right corner. Indent each new paragraph Use Times Roman 12 pt. font.   Every assignment you turn in must have the following cover page attached. If the cover page is missing 10 points will be deducted from your grade.   Title of paper Your name Introduction to Criminal Justice Instructor Haskins

Check Blackboard DAILY Examples of previous students work will be available for you to view. This will give you examples to reference. Outlines of my Power Point presentations will be made available. However, having access to them is not intended to replace attending class. Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.