Crime in America Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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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 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.

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 ResourcesStudent 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

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

Behavioral Expectations (Rules of the Classroom)

• 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)

Scholastic honesty is not only assumed, but required, of all students in all coursework and exams as they relate to this course. This instructor maintains a zero-tolerance policy with regards to occurrences of scholastic dishonesty. Occurrences of scholastic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will result in a grade of zero for the applicable assignment and/or removal from the course. Scholastic dishonesty is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as “…shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.” Determinations of scholastic dishonesty may be substantiated if a student engages in any of the following behaviors:

• Function as a substitute for another student in any assignment or exam, or utilizes a substitute in any assignment or exam
• Utilizes the assistance of others, including other students, or engages in “collusion” in relation to any assignment or exam to the extent the work is not characteristic of the student's capabilities. Collusion is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as: “… the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.”
•  Affords excessive assistance to another student in relation to any assignment or exam, including the unauthorized use of camera phones, text messages, photocopies, notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or intended for academic submission.
• Commits plagiarism; refer to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct which defines plagiarism as: “…the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.”
• Uses information and/or materials from the Internet or any other source without citing full and applicable credit
• Knowingly permits his or her work to be submitted by another student in connection with any assignment or exam
• Claims credit for or submits work done by another student

Grading Criteria

FINAL COURSE GRADE ASSIGNMENT (Grading Schema):

Exams                                                                     30%                           A = 100% - 90%

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

Written Assignments/Common Assessment  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.

Exams [ 30%]: 

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.

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.  In the case of an emergency, you may notify the instructor to see if a written assignment may be completed as extra credit.

Attendance/Participation [20%]: 

Attendance and participation during class is critical to your success and passing of this course.  Being on time, staying the full length of class, participating in discussions, and attentiveness during each class period will factor into the grade given. 

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.

If you have perfect attendance, the highest grade made on an exam will replace the lowest grade on any exam.

                        

Homework [20%]: 

Students will complete six (6) 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, March 27th. 

Each homework assignment is to be printed, have a cover page, and turned in at the beginning of class. Recognizing that life does happen, homework assignments may be turned in electronically by midnight of the due date with prior notification to the instructor.  15 points will automatically be deducted for homework turned in electronically, by someone else or after the beginning of class. NO HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED after midnight of the day it is due. 

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

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: .  

1. Some homework will be in the form of word puzzles.   Provide the answer, along with the page number where the answer was found.
2. Some homework will have a vocabulary and question section.  Please follow the following format:

                      Vocabulary (heading):  Definitions should be double spaced.

                      1.  Word – definition, page the word

                      2.  Word – definition

                      3.  Word – definition, etc.

                     Questions (heading):  Answers should be double spaced.

                     1. Question followed by Answer written in sentence format

                     2. Question followed by Answer written in sentence format

Written Assignments [30%]:

There will be four written assignments for this course. Each assignment should be typed, and submitted with a cover sheet at the beginning of class on the date due. With prior notification to the instructor, written assignments may be turned in by another classmate or electronically by midnight on the due date.  More detailed instructions for each assignment will be given during class as well as posted in Blackboard.

• Written Assignment #1 – Personal Impact of Crime – Due April 5th

               Each student will turn in a 500 word essay using APA format providing an example of how 

               crime has personally impacted their lives. Students will provide an overview of their paper 

               to the class on April 5^th.

• Written Assignment #2 – Serial Offenders and Criminological Theory- Due April 19^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.  A reference page will be required citing sources.  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. 

• Written Assignment #3 – Case Comparison ~ Due April 26^th 

Students will turn in a minimum 500 word essay comparing the cases of Corey Batey and Brock Turner.  Resources will be provided or students may find their own.  Reference page will be required.

• Written Assignment #4 – Common Assessment – Due May 8^th

              Each student will turn in a 500 word essay using APA format answering questions regarding       

              a case study which will posted on blackboard

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 UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN.  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/

Criminal Justice Departmental Policies

Student Recordings: Students are prohibited from recording any portion of this class without written permission from the instructor of record or authorization through Disability Services. This includes, but is not limited to, lectures, class discussions or other class activities. For purposes of the policy herein, “recording” applies to audio, video, or any other type of digital recording.

Students who create and/or share an unauthorized recording via any means, including social media, are violating an instructor's intellectual property rights and could potentially be subjected to disciplinary actions under the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, should any footage be shown of proprietary materials, the student who created or shared the unauthorized video may also be subject to copyright law.  This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director. 

Extra Credit: Determinations regarding whether or not extra-credit opportunities will be afforded to students is at the discretion of the instructor. In the event an option for extra-credit is offered by the instructor, comprehensive guidelines and information will be provided to the student. Students are not required to participate in extra-credit opportunities.

This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director.

Student Complaints:  A complaint is an allegation of improper, unfair, arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by college personnel. Students should attempt to resolve concerns informally with the instructor before filing a formal complaint. Any student or group of students may file a complaint concerning any campus issue. The Amarillo College Student Complaint Policy is described in detail in the Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

If you have a complaint regarding the instructor or some aspect of the course, you should first contact your instructor immediately in person or via email and attempt to resolve the situation. If the situation can’t be resolved to your satisfaction, you should then contact Sarah E. Uselding, Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator at seuselding@actx.edu or Eric Wallace, Director of Criminal Justice Programs at ecwallace@actx.edu.