COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

SOCI 405.001 Criminology

3 credits

M    W             1:00 p.m. –  1:50 p.m.

                F      2:00 p.m. –  2:50 p.m.

HHSB 207

 

 

This course is an introduction to the principles and procedures within the major areas of criminological studies, causes of criminal behavior, establishing the fact of crime, types of criminal activities, reactions of society to crime, and possible strategies to reduce criminal activity.

 

 

 

 

 

Fall, 2008

 

 

Dr. Elias L. Taylor

 

 

Text: Criminology, Larry J. Siegel

          Wadsworth Publishing Co., 10th Edition, 2009

 

 

 

 

OFFICE:  GJ 433

TEL:  410/ 951-3524

ETaylor@coppin.edu

 

 

OPEN OFFICE HOURS

 

M   W         11:00 a.m.  –  12:30 p.m.

T     Th         2:00 p.m.  –    4:30 p.m.

F                 11:00 a.m.  –    1:00  p.m.

 

OTHER TIMES BY APPOINTMENT

 

 

Visit the library  and familiarize yourself with several periodicals and books from the list below.  I strongly urge you to read additional material and utilize this knowledge in your class discussions, presentations, and written work. If you prefer, you can discuss the content of the material you read during class discussions, or, having made an office appointment, with me.  This type of activity will increase your understanding of the subject matter, improve your class performance, and better your grade.

 

PERIODICALS

  1. Journal of Social Issues
  2. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
  3. American Journal of Sociology
  4. Public Opinion Quarterly
  5. Criminology
  6. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

 

BOOKS

  1. Criminology and Justice, L. Voigt, 1994
  2. Crimes without Victims, Edwin Schur
  3. White Collar Crime, E. H. Sutherland
  4. Delinquent Boys, Albert Cohen
  5. Organized Crime in America, Gus Tyler
  6. The Will to Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder, J. Alan, 2005
  7. Women and Crime, Rita James
  8. Criminal Justice in America, R. Quinney
  9. The Impact of Crime, John E. Conklin
  10. The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison, J. Reiman, 2004
  11. Violence in the Black Family, ed. R. Hampton
  12. The Police in America, S. Walker
  13. The Violence of Hate, Jack Levin, 2002
  14. Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Paul H. Robinson
  15. Controversial Issues in Criminology, J. Fuller, 1999
  16. Elite Deviance, David Simon, 1999
  17. White Collar Deviance, D. Simon and F. Hagan, 1999
  18. Juvenile Delinquency: A Sociological Approach, J. Bynum, 1999

 

LINKS

http://info.wadsworth.com/siegel

http://www.fbi.gov/           Uniform Crime Reports

http://www.ncvc.org/         National Center for Victims of Crime

http://www.unitedfamilyservices.com/

 

                                                                            

REMARKS

 

 

Every citizen is likely to be a victim of crime.  Violent crimes have not only injured some people, but have affected hundreds of thousands of other citizens.  Some are presently afraid to use public streets or parts during the late hours of the day.  Some doubt the worth of a society in which so much crime is present.  Some even doubt the government’s ability to protect its citizens.  Some argue that criminal behavior is a normal phenomenon of the “American Way of Life” and have adopted this philosophy as a good way to get ahead in life by committing criminal acts.  Some of course are suspicious of those who are called upon to protect us from crime.  For example, policemen who fail to solve criminal acts or judges who pass lenient sentences, and parole boards that easily release prisoners who resume their criminal activities.

 

While public concern over crime and criminals sometimes is based on generalizations and faulty premises, the dimension of the crime problem in our cities does merit our attention.  Moreover, what merits our attention is a careful study of criminal law and criminal behaviors.  Studying criminal law one can notice the fundamental values of a given society because law reflects the socio-cultural organization of society.  Criminology, the study of criminal behavior, also provides one the means to analyze the nature of any society, and it is for this reason that such a course of study is particularly useful for all social science students. 

 

Since crime and criminal behavior arouses public interest and debate, we will channel our curiosity into a systematic study of this particular aspect of human behavior, particularly the social framework that gives order to the actions of individuals.  We will study criminal behavior by inquiring: What is criminology? What is crime? What are the dimensions (epidemiology) of the crime problem? What does criminology as a discipline seek to explain (i.e., why some people who engage in crime are arrested and sentenced to prison while others are not or why some people who engage in crime spend their lives as adults engaging in criminality while others are not?) We will also investigate what kinds of explanations (theories) we have constructed to analyze this type of behavior of individuals and groups.  Finally, we will study types of crime to clarify how our theoretical material stands up on the basis of actual evidence. 

 

All this material is informative and interesting.  It will make you aware of numerous issues, concepts, events, theorists, and interpretations concerning criminal behavior.  Perhaps, in addition to the following objectives, it can be of some personal use, as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

     OBJECTIVES

                                

 

  • Learn how criminologists seek reliable knowledge as they apply scientific methods of study

 

  • Learn past and contemporary criminological thinking (causes)

 

  • Be sensitive to the flaws of theoretical thinking

 

  • Learn where to find data (crime figures)

 

  • Learn to identify types of criminal acts

 

  • Investigate efforts to minimize or reduce criminal behaviors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

                        Topic                                                               Siegel

                                                                                                    10th

September 3    Organizational Meeting-Explanations

 

The Sociological Perspective

Crime and Criminology                                    3 – 26

Nature and Extent of Crime                           29 – 59

Victims and Victimization                              65 – 84

 

Theories of Crime Causation

Rational Choice                                                91 – 114

Traits                                                               121 – 152

Social Structure                                               161 – 190

Social Process                                                 197 – 223

Conflict                                                           229 – 250

Developmental                                                255 – 278

 

Types of Crimes

Interpersonal Violence                                    285 – 312

Political Crime - Terrorism                              319 – 342

Property Crime                                                345 – 367

White Collar Crimes                                       371 – 396

Public Order Crimes                                       401 – 432

Cyber Crime                                                    439 – 460

 

Criminal Justice System

Process and Perspectives                                465 – 482

Police and the Courts                                      485 – 520

Punishment and Correction                            525 – 559

 

 

 

 

*  Read each chapter before coming to class

*  Focus – when you attend class and when you read your assignments

*  Keep notes during class lectures

 

 

 

GRADE GUIDELINES

 

You will be evaluated on the following objective and subjective criteria:

 

25%     CLASS PARTICIPATION and CLASS WORK

            Instructor’s Evaluation

 

Reading your textbook, knowledge of subject matter, understanding of terms and subject matter during class discussions, evidence of additional reading, work habits, the ability to participate in class exchanges, clarity of points, work initiatives, and the skill to raise substantive or relevant questions. This unit includes your written responses to questions extracted from your textbook chapters.

 

NOTE: Indicate on the daily class roster your class contributions.

 

 5%      ATTENDANCE – Avoid absences (…none if possible)

            When officially absent, provide evidence.

 

30%     RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION – Instructor’s Evaluation

10%     PRESENTATION – STUDENT EVALUATIONS

            Classmates will evaluate each presentation

            Must follow professional standards

 

10%     EVALUATION OF OTHERS   

 

·         Select a partner, if you wish to work with another classmate

·         Select a type of crime (textbook)

·         Research and collect data

·         Clarify and support the points or arguments

·         Bring material from different sources

·         Make the presentation interesting

 

You need to see the instructor to successfully complete this work.

            Each student must return his or her materials (presentation) in a separate folder.

 

20%     FINAL TEST

            Two chapters – selected by class (Review and Study Plan Available)

 

            All students:  December (15 – 19) Exam Week

           

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Social Psychological findings indicate people utilize several learning strategies to acquire, retain information, and improve their professional skills. This course makes use of such strategies (i.e., self-relevance, organizing information into categories, visual materials (tables, graphs) to present points, and acquisition of key words. If you are serious about your work (education), follow these strategies in this class. I am willing to assist you in this endeavor.

 

           

GENERAL POINTS

 

 

  1. Read your textbook every day.

 

  1. Take extensive notes and keep a well-organized notebook for this course.

 

  1. If you did not understand some of the material, raise questions in class.

 

  1. Make sure you keep in touch with your instructor, explaining to him your individual concerns in matters academic.  I will listen and try to help depending on the particular circumstances and specifics presented.

 

  1. Make-up examinations, work, papers, exercises will not be easily given.  In the event you had to miss such work, you must immediately get in touch with the instructor.  If in his judgment there is evidence and a reasonable excuse, he may reschedule your work or offer you a time extension.

 

  1. Written material must follow all the rules and technical aspects pertaining to formal presentation of papers.  Written work will be evaluated on grammar, syntax, utilization of language and terms, analytical thinking, technical aspects, and physical appearance.

 

  1. College-wide writing standards, published in the Writing Standards Document, apply in this course.  You can obtain this document from the bookstore for a nominal fee.

 

  1. Make sure you proofread all your work before you hand it to the instructor.

 

  1. Students are encouraged to use the following supplementary documents, books, and references to improve their written work.
    1. Coppin State College Writing Standards Document
    2. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary
    3. Harbrace College Handbook

 

  1. Examinations in this course will include brief essay questions, multiple choices, definitions, short responses, and true or false questions.

 

  1. Explanations of academic honesty will be given in class.

 

  1. Do not smoke or bring drinks/food of any kind in the classroom.  This is a college-wide policy.

 

 

 

  1. It will be taken for granted that any work, oral or written, produced by a student in this course is her/his original work and not a direct copy from some other person or source (i.e., book, magazine, periodical, or the internet).  Any violation of this rule constitutes plagiarism.  Plagiarism includes any form of cheating on examinations, tests, quizzes, or any unacknowledged or undocumented use of another’s writing or ideas, whether published or un-published.  Those who plagiarize, if proven, will receive an F for that project.  If you are not certain of such rules, make sure you speak to the instructor.

 

  1. Do not come late to class or any other time (i.e., during exams).  If you are away from this class for many days, you should consider the option of withdrawing. Accumulated absences beyond two (2), whether officially or unofficially excused, will count against your class performance.  In fact, if a student is absent from this course more than six (6) times, the instructor may suggest an official withdrawal.

 

  1. Under certain circumstances, a student may explore the option of receiving an “Incomplete” grade for this course.  It is the responsibility of the student to initiate such a discussion and receive the necessary information from the instructor.

 

  1. Treat other people with respect, convey sensitivity and consideration by your outward demeanor, and let your actions, industry, and good effort proclaim the person that you really are.  In turn others will treat you with respect and appreciate your work.

                                           

Note: Class Rosters are the official document used to verify a student’s enrollment in this course. If your name does not appear on the class roster, you cannot attend this class. Please return immediately to the Registrar’s Office to resolve the matter.

 

Note: Coppin State University supports all students in their academic endeavors. Should you need academic accommodations because of a disability please contact the Disability Support Services (DSSP) Counselor, Ms. Patricia Johnson located in the Human Services Building, HHSB Room # 355, to register the special needs you request. If already registered with this program, please provide the DSSP accommodation form to the instructor.

 

Note: The method of calculation for this course is…

 

            90 – 100          points  A

            80 – 89            points  B

            70 – 79            points  C

            60 – 69            points  D

            59 or less         points F

 

 

 

 

 

Note: There are many web sites you can visit to enhance your understanding of the content of sociology, the professional nature of this discipline, and the applied nature of the sociological work.

 

 

  1. American Sociological Association http://www.asanet.org
  2. Society for the Study of Social Problems http://itc.utk.edu/sssp
  3. Applied Sociology http://www.appliedsoc.org
  4. The Gallup Poll http://www.gallop.com/poll/indicators
  5. Media Watch www.mediawatch.com
  6. Bureau of Justice Statistics http://www.ojo.usdoj/bjs/
  7. U.S.  Bureau of Census http://www.census.gov/
  8. The Urban Institute http://www.urban.org/

 

 

 

    

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT: Evaluation

 

Make copies and bring to class when a presentation is given.

Return

 

_________________________________________________________

Name

                                                                                  Date____________

Name

_________________________________________________________

 

Did the presentation capture your attention?

If yes, how was this accomplished?

 

Was the outline of the presentation evident?

 If yes, how was this accomplished?

 

Show some evidence that the organization of the entire presentation was satisfactory.

 

What were some of the points made in this presentation?

 

In what way were the points made clear and factual?

 

What comments can you make about language usage?

(i.e. terms used, definitions, tone or speed of communication)

 

 Were there any visual aids or handouts?

 Did you find these items useful or informative?

 

Did you learn anything that you did not know before from this presentation?

If yes, what was it?

 

What about the physical appearance of the speaker(s)?

Was it appropriate for this occasion?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions – Make sure your opinion, comments and reflections rest on some material

                    from your textbook (10th Edition)

 

 

Select any 5 and turn in by due date.

 

  1. Identify behaviors that are deviant but not criminal.
  2. Should the fact that a person was sexually abused as a child be used to defend his or her actions as an adult?
  3. If the sale and possession of handguns was banned, will crime be reduced?
  4. Does a person bear responsibility for his victimization, if he or she maintained a lifestyle that contributed to chances of becoming a crime victim?
  5. Are criminals rational decision makers, or are they motivated by uncontrollable emotional and psychological drives?
  6. Do you believe that kids who watch a great deal of violence on TV programs will behave aggressively in real life?
  7. Apply the material from the theory of anomie to explain criminal activities in low-class areas in New Orleans hit by Katerine.
  8. Are labels a cause of crime or a result?
  9. What can be done in our culture to reduce conflict between social classes?
  10. If “bad behavior” is explained by multiple problems, is “good behavior” explained by multiple strengths?

 

___________________________________________________________

 

Due Dates – Responses

 

·         September 24

·         October  15

·         November 5

·         November 24

·         December 10