Crime in America Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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-1307-002 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introduction to Criminology, 9th Edition, 2017 by Frank E. Hagan

ISBN: 9781483389172 (REQUIRED TEXTBOOK)

 

Textbooks may be purchased via the following methods:

  

• In person at the Amarillo College bookstore in the College Union Building (CUB) on the Washington Street Campus at 24th and Jackson.   Students can contact the bookstore at 806-¬371¬-5304 or via email at bookstore@actx.edu. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and in addition to these regularly scheduled hours, extended hours are announced for the beginning and ending of each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer).

• Online through the Amarillo College bookstore or another online vendor. Access the bookstore's home page at https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/.  The correct ISBN is cited above. Students ordering their book online through the Amarillo College bookstore or through another vendor should ensure they order the correct edition of the textbook and allow enough time for delivery so as to have the book the first day of class.

Additional information is also available within the course on the “Student Resources” page.

Supplies

Students are required to bring a #2 pencil to complete the Scantron portion of exams. 

Student Performance

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.

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

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

Be in class on time, stay until the class is over. Role will be taken at the beginning and ending of each class.

All cell phones, or other electronic communications devices, except laptops used solely for class note taking/presentations, are to be turned to silent, unless directed by instructor for classroom participation. Any exceptions for emergencies should be communicated to the instructor.

Texting and web browsing in class is unacceptable and will result in loss of participation points.

Come to class prepared.

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.  It is also important to not dominate class discussions, but allow fellow classmates to have input and share.

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.

Most importantly, come prepared to pay attention, PARTICIPATE, ask questions and offer ideas.

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

Prohibited behavior

1. Sleeping
2. Speaking rudely to the instructor or other classmates
3. Carrying on side conversations with classmates
4. Talking or texting on cell phones
5. Doing other coursework or reading other materials (newspapers, books, web browsing)

Grading Criteria

 Exams: 

Each student will be required to take three (3) major exams. 

Each exam will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer.

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.

Cell Phones, Computers, or Tablets must be turned off and stored in a backpack or left outside the classroom on the day of exams.  If a student has one of these devices in view on the day of the test, the student will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to take the test.

 

Attendance/Participation: 

Attendance and participation during class is critical to your success and passing of this course.  Each student may earn up to 10 points for each class (5 points for attendance, 5 points for participation) for a total of 160 points. 

Attendance and participation are required and one of the largest portions of your grade. A student is allowed two absences. Each additional absence will result in 10 points being taken off of the participation grade.

A student is allowed to be late to class three (3) times. After the third time, any additional late entries to class will be counted as an absence. Late to class means entering class 10 minutes after class has started.

Participation is counted as engaging in group discussion, contributing to classroom discussion and asking questions related to material. 

                        

Homework: 

Each student will turn in 5 homework assignments over chapters or readings as assigned. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class, NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. You must be in class to turn in your homework.  Each homework assignment is worth 20 points for a maximum of 100 points.

NOTE: Material in homework will have a strong likelihood of being on exams.

 

Written Assignments:

There will be three written assignments for this course, due dates and instructions are included later in this syllabus. 

 

FINAL COURSE GRADE ASSIGNMENT (Grading Schema):

Exam’s 30%                                                                                          A = 100% - 90%

Participation/Attendance 20%                                                         B =   89% - 80%

Written Assignments/Capstone 30%                                              C =  79% - 70%

Homework 20%                                                                                  D =  69% - 60%

Total 100%                                                                                          F =   59% and below

 

Instructor reserves the right to make exceptions to this schema when circumstances warrant.

 

Makeup Policy:

NO EXAMS CAN BE MADE UP or RE¬TAKEN. If you miss an exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the missed exams. If you do not miss any exam during the semester, the highest grade made on an exam will replace the lowest grade on any exam.

 

Extra Credit:

Extra credit is not mandatory and will only be given at the discretion of the instructor.

Attendance

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

 

Information Regarding Withdrawals

It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college.  Per Amarillo College guidelines, students must receive approval from the instructor to withdraw from the course. The last day to withdraw from a class is listed on the course calendar (on the class site) and on Amarillo College’s master calendar on AC Connect.

 

If a student wishes to withdraw from the course they must complete the following steps:

 

• Contact the instructor PRIOR TO 12:00 PM NOON on the last day to withdraw.

• The instructor will advise a time and date where the student can call or schedule an appointment to discuss the withdrawal. Withdrawal requests will NOT be approved by this instructor without either a face to face visit or a telephone conversation.
• Do not assume that because you have sent an email to the instructor that you will be withdrawn from the course. Once the instructor has made a decision on the withdrawal, the student will be advised and the instructor will initiate the process therein.

• Every effort will be made to ensure student success is a priority before withdrawals are approved.

 

Failure to drop or withdraw the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

Calendar

Additional Information

Blackboard – use your blackboard

•             Outlines of my Power Point presentations will be made available on Blackboard.  However, having access to them is not intended to replace attending class.

•             Additional resources and helps for completing your assignments will also be posted on blackboard.

•             Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard

•             When Extra Credit Assignments are offered they will be posted on Blackboard

 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS (Homework and Written Assignments) MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure will count for a portion of your grade for all written assignments. 

 

Use the following APA Style Format

•             Print on  8 ½ x 11 white paper

•             Type double spaced with 1” margins on all edges

•             Page number should be in the top right corner (written assignments only)

•             Indent each new paragraph

•             Use Times New Roman 12 pt. font

 

Every assignment must have the following cover page attached. (10 points will be deducted for missing cover pages)

 

            Title of paper

            Your name

            Crime in America

            Instructor Leming

 

Resource: Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) APA Style 

                   https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Students will complete five (5) homework assignments over required reading for this course which will be due at the beginning of class on the assigned due dates.  The first assignment over Chapter 1 is due on Tuesday beginning March 28th. 

 

Each assignment will consist of a vocabulary section and a question and answer section. Homework assignments will be given at the end of the class period.

 

The following format is required when completing homework assignments.

             

•             Cover page (as described above)

 

•             Following page or pages (no page numbers necessary)

              Vocabulary (heading):  Definitions should be double spaced.

               1.  Word – definition.

               2.  Word – definition

               3.  Word – definition, etc.

             Questions (heading):  Answers should be double spaced.

              1. Answer only, written in sentence format

              2. Answer only, written in sentence format

 

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS PRESENTATIONS

There will be three written assignments for this course. 

 

Written Assignment #1 – Personal Impact of Crime – Due April 6th

Each student will turn in a 500 word essay using APA format providing an example of how crime has personally impacted their lives.

Crime is a social phenomenon that leaves few of us untouched.  We have either been a victim of a crime ourselves, know someone who has been victimized or see continuous coverage of crime in the media.   Describe a specific situation that has affected either yourself or someone you know.  What are the lasting effects of this victimization?  How did you or the person you know deal with being victimized? How did this event change the way you perceive crime and/or the way you look at others and your environment?

Written Presentation # 1 is due and should be submitted with a cover sheet on April 6th.  Prior to turning in the assignment each student will have 3 minutes to share with the class a summary of their experience and the impact.  References or outside sources other than your own experience are not required but if used should be cited according to APA format, and listed at the end of the paper.

               

Written Assignment #2 – Serial Offenders and Criminological Theory- Due April 20^th

Each student will turn in a 500 word essay using APA format choosing a serial offender and a criminological theory to explain the offender’s behavior or offenses.

1)            Conduct some literary or internet research and find a serial offender (killer, rapist, arsonist, burglar, etc) that you find to be interesting. (If at all possible, try to avoid choosing the same offender as another classmate.  The more choices – the more interesting).   NOTE: Suggestions for websites will be listed on Blackboard

2)            Review the criminological theories you were assigned to read about and choose one of those theories to explain the individual’s behavior, patterns and/or offending.

3)            The paper should include the name of the offender you chose, a brief description of his/her life history and offenses, the premise of the theory you feel best explains the above and your explanation as to why you chose that theory.   You must explain how the theory relates to this individual’s behavior and why. 

 

Written Presentation # 2 is due and should be submitted with a cover sheet on April 20th.  Prior to turning in the assignment each student will have 3 minutes to share with the class a summary of the offender they chose and the theory of crime relating to the offender.  References SHOULD be included for this assignment, including the sources you used to learn about the offender and reference the textbook or other sources used to describe the theory.  WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A CREDIBLE ACADEMIC SOURCE.   You should also use your own words to summarize your sources.  Material copied from sources is considered plagiarism and will result in a “0” for the written portion of the assignment.  Use APA format to cite resources within the essay and at the end.  The Reference section does not count towards your word count.

 

CAPSTONE ASSIGNMENT – CASE STUDY – DUE MAY 9^th

OVERVIEW – Each student will turn in a 500 word essay using APA format answering questions regarding a case study which will posted on blackboard.   Additional instructions for this assignment will be discussed in class at a later date.

 

Student Resources

There are a variety of resources available to help students with issues they may be experiencing throughout the semester. You are encouraged to contact your instructor with any questions or problems you might have while taking the course. In addition, you should visit the “Student Resources” page on the class site for more detailed information.

 

• Amarillo College Student Resources - This page has information on all the various resources for students that are available at the College. There are contact numbers as well as links to AC websites.
• Comprehensive Student Resources – This page includes information on textbook purchasing websites, career help and information, and study aids and tips. All links are embedded into the document so you just have to click on the link and it will take you directly to the website.
• AC Food Pantry – Information on accessing the AC Food Pantry, including the phone numbers and location of the West Campus Food Pantry is included.
• Information on Job Openings