|
Andrew Austin |
Office Phone: 465-2359 |
|
Social
Change and Development |
Messages: 465-2355 |
|
University
of Wisconsin-Green Bay |
Office Hours: MW 1-3; TH 2-3 |
|
Office:
MAC Hall A326 |
Email:
austina@uwgb.edu |
|
Web page: http://www.uwgb.edu/austina |
Course e-mail:
c5865 |
SOCIOL
404—Spring 2008
CRIMINOLOGY
CRIMINOLOGY at
All items are in the bookstore or online (check with the bookstore
for current editions).
·
Piers
Beirne and James Messerschmidt, Criminology
·
Stephen
Pfohl, Images of Deviance and Social
Control
·
Joseph
Jacoby, Classics of Criminology
·
On-line materials (see schedule).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance (25 points)
Attendance is required.
I sample attendance by passing around roll sheets you sign to get credit for
being in class. Never sign the roll sheet for another student. I do not record
attendance everyday. If you miss a day on which I take roll, you must have a
verifiable excuse documenting precisely why you could not attend that day, and
you must have this excuse processed through the Office of the Dean of Students.
I review excuses and accept them at my discretion. Such excuses, if acceptable
to me, must coincide with days attendance was taken; an excusable absence on a
day on which I do not take roll does not count for an unexcused absence on a
day I do take roll. If you anticipate not being able to consistently attend
class, you are advised to drop the class.
Domain Presentations
(50 points)
Students
work in teams on domains of criminal activity selected from the Beirne and
Messerschmidt text. Each team will
prepare a presentation outlining textual material, reviewing news stories from
LexisNexis for examples and trends, applying specific criminological theories,
and proposing ways of tackling the problem.
Teams are encouraged to prepare PowerPoint presentations; however, the
material is presented it must be in the team’s own words (do not overload the
slides with verbatim text). Teams may
divide the work any way they choose, but each member is required to contribute
an equitable amount of effort to the project.
Projects are evaluated according to accuracy, coverage, professionalism,
and peer review. Any team member who does not show up for their presentation,
and has no valid excuse for missing class, will receive a zero in all four
categories (see above for policy concerning absences).
There are five domains of crime covered in this
assignment. Each domain is divided into
two subparts, each subpart led by a team of roughly three persons, as follows:
(1) property crime: (a) robbery and burglary and (b) varieties of
larceny, dealing and damage; (2) interpersonal violence: (a) murder,
assault, hate crimes, rape, interpersonal violence in the workplace and (b)
interpersonal violence in the family; (3) syndicated crime: (a) history
of syndicated crime, syndicated crime today and (b) principal forms of
syndicated crime; (4) white-collar crime: (a) occupational crime,
corporate theft and (b) corporate violence and transnational corporate crime;
and (5) political crime: (a) political crimes against the state,
domestic political crimes by the state and (b) transnational political crimes
by the state. Depending on how many
students we have, material may be trimmed, with your teacher covering those
sections in lecture. At the conclusion
of a domain of study, teams turn in
copies of the materials used in preparing their presentations, along with a
summary report of the topic.
Examinations (75
points)
Exams combine multiple
choice, matching, short answer, and short essay, cover all course material to date, and are taken in class without
benefit of notes or texts. Bring a number two pencil to class. Note books, book
bags, texts, etc., must be placed under the desk or behind the chair while an
exam is in progress. No hats worn during exams. I post scores on D2L. Exams are
not returned to students but are viewable by arrangement. There are two exams:
the first is worth 25 points; the second, 50 points. See attendance policy above for information
on missed exams.
Term Paper (50 points)
All my courses
include a written component. This semester, you produce a term paper (1000-2000
words). Select
a theory from one of the texts and find five scholarly articles and/or books
that test components of the theory (you cannot
use any book assigned in this class as one of your sources). Your task is to evaluate the elements and
structure of the theory, as well as how researchers have evaluated the
theory. Evaluation of the theory should
include problematic assumptions and conceptualization, logical inconsistencies
and contradictions, gaps and leaps, strengths and weaknesses, and ideological
elements. Your evaluation of research
should explore whether the theory was properly used and determine what impact
researchers’ modifications, confirmation, or disconfirmation had on the success
of the theory. You should also determine the importance of the theory within
its field. This essay should consider
what contributions the theory has made to the understanding of crime and what
effect it may have had on public policy.
Follow the on-line
instructions for details on how to construct a term paper. The paper is due on
the last day of class, no exceptions. You upload the essay to the course D2L site in Word format for credit. Via professor
email, you submit another electronic copy in Word format. Both electronic copies are required by the due date, no
exceptions (you have all semester to write the paper, so there are no valid
excuses for not having it done by the due date). I do not require a paper copy
of the analysis; however, you prepare your analysis as if it were a paper copy. The paper must be in your own words;
plagiarism in any amount or degree will result in a zero for the assignment.
There are no do-overs. I post your grade
on D2L. Essays are not returned. Students
are to write serious and thoughtful written projects. I am looking for intelligent content,
appropriate and consistent style, and solid writing mechanics. I take off points if your work does not meet
the basic requirements set forth in the instructions provided on my web page.
Grade Scale
Total possible points: 200
|
90% A |
70% C |
|
87% A/B |
67% CD |
|
80% B |
60% D |
|
77% B/C |
¯ 60% is a failing
grade for this course |
OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS
My office is located on
the third floor of Mary Ann Cofrin (MAC) Hall, room 326A. I am eager to clarify
assignments, lectures and readings, study guides, and missed exam questions. My
office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus. I am available by
appointment, but because of my schedule, I ask that you try to meet with me
during my office hours.
TECHNOLOGY
Course Email
Associated with this
course is email that provides instructor and students access to all students in
the class. The address is listed at the top of the syllabus. You must have a
valid UWGB account to receive mail from the course email. The course email is a
requirement and you are automatically signed up for it. I use it to alert
students to web page updates, events on campus of interest, emergencies,
address questions about course material or other pertinent inquiries, conduct
discussions concerning relevant subject matter, review quizzes and exams, and
post news stories relevant to topics covered in the class. There are two basic
rules to using the course email: (1) email contributions shall be thoughtful
and written in a civil tone (see below for rules on class conduct); (2) course
email is not for student grievances; professor email and office hours are the
proper places for student grievances.
Professor Email
You will find my email address
listed at the top of this syllabus. Email allows students to ask questions or
voice concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I find that many issues can
be resolved over email. Please note that if I answer emails after business
hours (offices close at 4:30) or on weekends it is because I choose to do so,
not because it is required that I answer emails beyond business hours.
Web Page
The address for my web pages is listed at the top of this syllabus. These
pages contain syllabi, instructions for constructing essays, links to our
library and other web pages (if relevant), study guides, on-line readings, and
lectures used in class. My notes from the readings do not appear on the course
web page. Lectures, when posted, appear after
they are delivered in class.
REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND RULES OF CONDUCT
Academic Integrity
A diploma from an
institution of higher learning signals to others that the holder of the degree
has obtained it through honest effort. By honest effort it is understood that
examinations are performed without the un authorized assistance of others or
material disallowed by the teacher; that essays, term papers, and research
projects are unique compositions by the student wherein great care has been
taken to properly attribute all derived thought to its original authors; that
any requests for special assistance or consideration in completing course work
rest on legitimate grounds and are based on truthfulness. Acts of academic
dishonesty will be treated seriously and in accord with this institution’s
rules and procedures. See http://www.uwgb.edu/deanofstudents/policies/ch14.htm.
Classroom Behavior
To foster intellectual development and civil discourse, no
behavior that disrupts the learning atmosphere of my classroom will be
tolerated. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not exhausted by:
disrespect shown openly toward the professor or other students; talking with
others when the instructor is speaking to the class or students are involved in
discussion; inappropriate or off-topic monopolization of discussions to the
exclusion of other students; irrelevant questions and comments; distracting or
inappropriate expressions, gestures, or body language that hamper the conduct
of the class; physical behavior or language that creates a sexually
uncomfortable situation that could be construed as sexual harassment. This rule
applies to other targets of harassment and discrimination (race, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, physical appearance, etc.). Anyone who disrupts the
learning atmosphere in such a manner will first be warned. If the behavior does
not stop, the student will be asked to leave, and if he/she does not comply,
campus security will remove the student. Repeat offenders will be referred to the
Dean of Students. Continued disruptive behavior may result in removal from the
class and a failing grade. It is up to the professor to define what constitutes
disruptive or inappropriate behavior in the classroom. Some specific rules:
·
Cell
phones must be turned off at the beginning of class. This includes vibration
and visual settings.
·
No
laptop computers in operation during lecture. Studies show that laptop
computers interfere with student learning and are distracting to other
students.
·
No
listening to anything through headphones during class time.
·
No
reading material (newspapers, etc.) other than assigned course material during
class time.
·
No
talking amongst yourselves unless instructed to do so by the teacher. This
includes note passing, laughing, or any other form of communication.
·
I
would prefer that you did not eat in class. If you are going to eat, select
quiet foods and packaging and sit in the back of the class.
In sum, in order to do my job, I
need your full attention and concentration. If you do not want to learn the
material presented in my classroom, then you are advised to drop the class.
Classroom Discussion
To foster intellectual development
and civil discourse, discussion in the classroom, when not the express purpose
of the class for that day, will abide by the following rules: (1) questions
seeking clarification will be addressed during the course of the lecture; (2)
questions or comments appropriate to discussion of the material covered in
class will be addressed in time allotted either before lecture begins or after
the lecture is completed.
Reasonable
Accommodations Statement
As required by federal
law and
On the Use of Audio and Video Recorders in the Classroom
The Board of Regents of
the UW system has determined that a teacher, for reasons concerning pedagogical
practice and academic freedom, may forbid the use of tape recorders in the classroom.
The professor of this course
expressly forbids students to make audio and video recordings in the classroom.
Exception to rule: “Regent Resolution 1556 provides that
prohibitions of tape recorders in classrooms may not be imposed upon qualified students
with disabilities who must utilize tape recorders because of the nature of
their disability to effectively participate in a class provided such students
have signed agreements that they will not release the tape recording or
transcription to others.”
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
|
Week 1 (Jan. 23) |
Introduction
to Course |
|
Week 2 (28, 30) |
What
is Crime? Beirne and Messerschmidt (BM) 3-60. Demonology
and the War on Heretics Pfohl xi-60. |
|
Week 3 (Feb. 4, 6) |
Classical
Constructions of Crime and Punishment Pfohl 61-100; Jacoby 277-286, 80-83, and
397-411. BM 263-288 |
|
Week 4 (11, 13) |
Criminal
Man and Pathological Models Pfohl 101-168; Jacoby 132-139, 140-146, and 116-131. Jacoby 159-166 (Healy), 147
158 (Hooton), and 167-171 (Aichorn); Gottfredson and Hirschi 47-63 (online). |
|
Week 5 (18, 20) |
Social
Disorganization and Delinquent Areas BM 289-310; Pfohl 170-220; Jacoby 4-8, 13-19, and
193-200. Solidarity,
Social Structure, and Anomie Pfohl 221-295; BM 311-342 and the part
of Chapter 14 labeled “Revised Strain Theory”; Jacoby 84-88, 172-177, 247-250, 178-187, 201-206, and
236-240. |
|
Week 6 (25, 27) |
Control
Theory and the Problem of Order BM 343-370 and Chapter
14 “Self-Control and Control Balance”; Jacoby 207-220 and
251-258. Learning
Theory Pfohl 297-343; BM Chapter 13 “Social
Learning Theory.” Jacoby 9-12,
225-227, 228-235, and 221-224. |
|
Week 7 (Mar. 3, 5) |
The
Societal Reaction Perspective The Societal Reaction Perspective Pfohl
297-343; BM Chapter 13 “The
Labeling Perspective” |
|
Week 8 (10,12) |
The
Social and Historical Realities of Crime Quinney
(on-line) Pfohl 345-390; Jacoby 259-260, 261-263, and
264-276. |
|
Week 9 (17, 19) |
Spring
Break |
|
Week 10 (24, 26) |
Radical
Theory: Power, Control, and Criminalization Pfohl 401-513. BM Chapter 13 “Conflict
Theory, Radical and Feminist”;
Jacoby 188-192, 89-95, and 96-105. |
|
Week 11 (Mar. 31, 2) |
Class,
Race, and Crime BM 61-96. Jacoby 287-293, 106-115, and
362-371. Austin (on-line) |
|
Week 12 (7, 9) |
Types/Patterns
of Conventional Crime BM 97-122; Jacoby 44-50 (Ennis). BM 123-158; Jacoby 51-57, 458-469,
66-64, 20-25. |
|
Week 13 (14, 16) |
Syndicated
Crime BM 159-192 Corporate Crime BM 193-220. |
|
Week 14 (21, 23) |
Crimes
against Peace and Humanity BM 221-262. |
|
Week 15 (28, 30) |
Overflow |
|
Week 16 (May 5, 7) |
Overflow |
|
Monday, May 19 |
EXAM TWO 3:30-5:30 |