Crime in America Syllabus for 2017-2018
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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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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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

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)

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives Understand the distinction between crime and deviance and the various classifications and definitions of criminal offenses. Discuss the different criminological theories and their function in the field of criminal justice. Identify the role of punishment with regards to crime. 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

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. Participate in class
2. Read the chapters; take good notes
3. Be on time and stay until the end

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 the utmost importance that you read the assigned reading for that particular lecture in the textbook. If for some reason 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. 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.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS:

• This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week studying for this class, outside of class.
• Studying in college is a complex task, in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, and study skills, among others…
• Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.
• Students report that it is helpful to make a flash card for each paragraph of reading material. They ask a question on one side of the card and answer it in their own words on the other side of the card. Then, they have a way of testing their understanding of the content.

 

Behavior policy.

Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, college students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the college. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

Prohibited behavior includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Arriving late or leaving early from the classroom
• Talking on the cellphone or text messaging
• Carrying on side conversations with classmates
• Sleeping
• Doing other coursework, or reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to classmates
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to the instructor, questioning the instructor’s authority, expressing anger about a grade, or generally disrupting the instructor’s ability to teach
• Dominating the class discussion by not allowing other students to speak

 

PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 10:30 a.m.

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three chapter exams
The chapter exams will consist of True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer.

Final Exam:

The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False and/or multiple choice questions.

 

Final Exam Exemption Opportunity

If you complete ALL assignments, including taking every exam (and pass each exam with a minimum of a 70) and have a minimum comprehensive course average of 80 or above, you will be “exempt” from taking the final exam.

There will be no exception to this exemption opportunity. If you do not turn in an assignment, if you miss an exam, if you do not attend off site tours, or if you miss more than 2 days of class for any reason, you will no longer be considered exempt from taking the final exam. Please realize that it is not that I am not understanding to situations that may come up during the semester. The purpose of this exemption opportunity is to encourage you all to attend class, prepare for exams, and complete all course work timely.

On October 4, 2017 I will be sending an email to all students who have been designated as “exempt”. If you do not receive an email from me indicating such, then you MUST take the final exam.

In the event that you are designated as “exempt” from taking the final exam, your highest chapter exam grade will serve as your final exam grade. For example, if your highest chapter test grade is a 79, you get designated as “exempt” and you choose not to take the final, then your highest chapter test grade of 79 will be the grade for your final exam.

In the event you are designated as “exempt” you still have the option of taking the final if you choose to do so.

Exam days:

NO CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, OR TABLETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF EXAMS! If a student has one of these devices on the day of the test, the student will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to take the test.

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

All tests will begin at 10:30, if a student enters the class after 10:40 they will not be allowed to take the test. YOU will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete each chapter exam, you will have two hours to complete the final exam. The final exam will be from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 P.M.

A review sheet will be given for all exams.

 

Participation:

• Participation grade will an average of grades given for assignments and worksheets.
• Students will be required to complete various worksheets and assignments throughout the semester.

 

 

Grading Criteria

Grading Scheme:
Chapter exams 25%

Final 20%

Theory Paper 25%

Attendance 15%

Participation 15%

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
 

You get the grade you earn. At the end of the semester, if you have a final grade of an 89.5 you will receive an A, if you have a final grade of 89.4 you will receive a B.

Makeup Policy:

Because you have the opportunity to be exempted from the final, no makeup work or exam makeups will be allowed.

Extra Credit:

8808727. is not an “extra credit” option. I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit. I want you to learn the study skills necessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college.

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required. A role 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 10 points, per additional absence, being taken off of the attendance grade. STUDENTS HAVE FAILED SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ATTEND CLASS! 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 October 3, 2017, you must have my permission to drop. 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Format for all assignments.               Title Page	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 Crime in America Instructor Haskins
Theory Paper	Theory Paper   Purpose- To apply theories learned in class to an actual perpetrator and crime.   Topic- Each student will complete a paper that applies at least one (student can use more than one theory) criminal theory to an actual criminal and the crime he/she committed.   Format- This will be a five(5) paragraph essay with the following sections; I-Introduction (what is your paper about) II- History of perpetrator III- Details of the crime IV- Theory chosen to explain the perpetrator and their crime. V- conclusion(summarize what your paper was about)   Length – • Minimum 3 Page • Maximum 5 Pages   Make sure to follow the format listed in the format for all assignments section.
Blackboard	Check Blackboard DAILY Examples of previous students work will be available for you to view. This will give you examples to reference. Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.