Crime in America Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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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

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.

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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

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active and functioning internet service, some type of word processing program, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.

Adobe Acrobat Reader may be downloaded FREE from https://get.adobe.com/reader/.

 

Assistance with Computer Access

If you don’t have a computer, you may access the computers at the AC Library on the 4^th floor of the WARE Building. Click on the link below to access phone numbers, hours of operation and locations for all Amarillo College libraries and computing centers:

https://www.actx.edu/library/

The Amarillo College Bookstore has a laptop rental program as well. You may contact them to find out more information about the requirements and terms of the program.

Amarillo College Writer’s Corner

The Writer’s Corner is an excellent resource available to you for assistance in the writing needs of the course. You can access additional information at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.

EMAIL ADDRESS:  writerscorner@actx.edu    Phone: 345-5580    LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102

Fall & Spring Semesters

Monday – Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Summer Sessions

Monday - Thursday

8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Student Performance

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

This course will be guided by meeting the above reference 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

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

1. Read the chapters and take good notes
2. Be on time and stay until the end of class
3. Study for exams and complete all writing assignments

Class structure, important announcements:  You are responsible for keeping gup with the assigned readings. The textbook readings are intended to provide background information for my lecture. If for some reason I am unable to lecture on a 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, Bring your 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 reading; 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 one hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least nine hours per week studying for this class, outside the classroom.

       Read each chapter and take notes in class

       Study the vocabulary works for each chapter. You can use Kahoot to create flashcards.

       Form study groups with your fellow classmates.

Grading Criteria

Exams:

Each student will be required to take 4-chapter exams. No comprehensive final will be required. No exam grades will be dropped.

The chapter exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, or true/false questions.

NO TABLETS, LAPTOPS, ETC…ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS DURING EXAMS! IF A STUDENT HAS ONE OF THESE DEVICES ON THE DAY OF THE TEST, THE STUDENT WILL BE ASKED TO SECURE THE DEVICE IN THEIR CAR OR OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

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 COMPLETED UP TO THAT POINT.

ALL TESTS WILL BEGIN AT 7:00 PM ON THE DATE OF THE EXAM. IF A STUDENT ENTERS CLASS AFTER THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TEST.

YOU WILL HAVE ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES TO COMPLETE EACH CHAPTER EXAM.

 

Writing Assignment Format and Instructions

All assignments must be typed and follow APA Writing Requirements. APA Guidelines will be provided in class and on Blackboard to assist student in correct formatting.

DUE DATE FOR TURNING IN WRITING ASSIGNMENT WILL BE BEGINNING OF CLASS APRIL 29^TH.

Format:

                        Use 8.5 x 11 paper

                        Double spaced with 1” margins on all edges

                        Page number in lower right corner

                        Indent each new paragraph

                        Use Times Romans 12 pt. font.

Length requirements:

5 pages - to include a cover page, 3 full pages of context and 1 page Bibliography/Reference Page.

Cover Page:

Title of Paper

Your name

Crime in America 1307 – Spring 2019

Instructor Webb

Purpose – To apply theories learned in class to an actual perpetrator and criminal event.

Students will need to review the theories covered in class to complete this paper. Students are to select a specific criminal event in which the offender was identified and convicted. Through your research of the event and offender you will explain the behavior patterns and the offenses based on the theoretical criminological theories learned from the text book . You are also expected to do Internet research in order to complete this assignment. These sources will provide you the in-depth information needed to describe factually the criminal event, details related to the offenders past history leading up to their arrest and conviction, as well as relevant facts supporting your assessment of criminological theories. Please use reliable and scholarly sources. Wikipedia is not a reliable source.

Each student’s paper will apply at least one criminal event, which can be explained by one or more criminal theories to explain the behavior or offense of the offender.  Most criminal acts by serious criminal offenders are made up of more than one theory. You may select your criminal act from serial killers mass murders, serial rapist, terrorist, etc…..

Content Formatting:

In addition to the cover page, your body of your report should be broken into six sections.

1. Introduction – Summary of what paper is about
2. Identifying the offender - their historical background.
3. Criminal Act – identifying the type of criminal offense and the details of their actions.
4. Theories – Identify all the criminological theories which you find are relevant in explaining the actions of the offender including a definition for each.
5. Comparative Analysis – Connect each theory to facts from the crime or offender’s behavior supporting in detail how this theory is relevant.
6. Summary – provide a concluding summary of your findings supporting your conclusion.  

Supporting Citations / References in Bibliography Page

Student will be required to include a minimum of 5 different references in their paper.  One reference can include the text book. Attempt to locate 2 different sources for details pertaining to the history and background of the offender and 2 different sources related to the actual criminal act committed. If a serial offender, you will have more than one source related to the crimes committed. In citing both in your paper and in your bibliography, use must follow APA GUIDELINES in how to properly cite. FAILURE TO FOLLOW APA GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN A 50% REDUCTION ON YOUR GRADE.

SUBMITTING PAPERS:

All papers should be printed out in a hard copy packet and stapled with cover page on top. Bibliography will be the last page.

ALL papers are due no later than April 29^th at the beginning of class.

Common Assessment Testing: Instructions will be provided on the first day of class. Instructions will also be available in Blackboard under the Common Assessment tab. Testing due date is May 6, 2019.

 

Grading Criteria

Chapter exams                        40%                 Each exam worth 100 points

Writing Assignment                35%                  Assignment worth 100 points

Attendance                              15%                 (16 class periods)

Common Assessment              10%                

Total                                       100%

Grading Schema

A = 100% - 89.5%

B = 89.4% - 79.5%

C = 79.4% - 69.5%

D = 69.5% - 59.5%

F = 59.4% and below

You get the grade you earn. Students determine what their final grades are going to be not professors. Please take responsibility for your work and make every effort to do your best. At the end of the semester, if you have questions pertaining to your grade, please make an appointment to discuss with me outside of class.

Make-up Policy

If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, if the absence is determined excused by the instructor, you may make up the exam through coordinating arrangements with the professor. Notice must be given to the professor prior to the beginning of class the date of the exam, informing the professor that (1) you intend to miss the exam, (2) reason for absence, and (3) when you are available to make up exam. Failure to provide this prior notice will result in student receiving no grade, and waiving the make-up. Upon receipt of notice of expected absence and request to make-up exam, professor will take into consideration the circumstances and notify student of decision and a make-update, time, and location in which the exam may be completed.

Extra-Credit:

There is no “extra credit” options for this class.

Attendance

REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS, EVEN IN AN ONLINE SETTING.

Attendance and participation are required. Professor will take attendance at the beginning of each class. You will need to be in the class and in your seat prior to the beginning of each class to insure you receive proper credit. Each student will be allowed (2) absences per semester. Any additional absence will result in 10 points being taken off the attendance grade. STUDENTS MAY FAIL SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ATTEND CLASS!

Calendar

Additional Information

~Reproduction of Course Materials~

Students are prohibited from reproducing 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, lecture notes, class discussion boards or any other class materials. For purposes of the policy herein, “reproducing” applies to photographic reproduction, audio, video, or any other type of reproduction of course materials.

Students who create and/or share an unauthorized reproduction of course materials via any means, including social media, are violating an instructor's intellectual property rights and could potentially be subjected to disciplinary actions under the Amarillo College 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 laws.

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 Opportunities~

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, Program Coordinator of Criminal Justice Programs, at (806) 354-6081 or seuselding@actx.edu.