Download Criminology Course Syllabus: Exploring Criminal Behavior and Environmental Crimes at NSCC and more Study notes Criminology in PDF only on Docsity!
CRIMINOLOGY
SOC 104 LN
Fall 2010 SOC 104 LN is a Green Curriculum course. Green Curriculum courses seek to promote ecological literacy and responsible citizenship at NSCC and beyond. Instructor: Carlos M. Marín Ph.D. E-Mail Address: cmarin01@northshore.edu Office Hours: By Appointment after class Location: Lynn/ Mcgee Building /Room: LW Hours: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM (Tuesdays and Thursdays) COURSE SYLLABUS REQUIRED TEXT Siegel, L. (2008). Criminology: The Core. Fourth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. ISBN 9780495809838 *Other Course Material and Readings to be handed out and assigned COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to the study of criminal delinquent behavior in the United States. Examining classical and contemporary criminological theories, this course allows students to explore the origins of criminal behavior and apply criminological knowledge to the diversity of crime as it exists today. The course provides students with a critical understanding of crime as a social phenomenon by analyzing and discussing crime causation, purposes of crime measurement and strategies for crime prevention and treatment. As a part of the “NSCC Green Curriculum Project,” this course pays special attention to the nature, cause and control of environmental crimes, and to the impact those crimes poses on people and the natural environment. COURSE OBJECTIVES By the end of the semester students will:
1. Have an understanding of the historical construction of the criminology concept, of the different theories explaining criminal behavior and of the various typologies of crime. 2. Have a critical point of view of what determines the way in which society responds to crime and what makes people into offenders. 3. Have an understanding of the different theories of crime causation and your own perspective and interpretation of crime causation vis-a-vis those theories. 4. Become aware of the diverse composition of the U.S. population, and of the prejudice against certain social groups regarding criminal behavior. 5. Get familiar with the use of some tools to access crime and interpret crime data for research and crime prevention policy. 6. Understand the relationship between individual and societal problems and the links between criminal and delinquent behavior.
7. Have a critical perspective on how criminology thoughts have influenced the categorization of crime and police for crime prevention and control. 8. Think critically about law and justice and have your own perspective about the social and legal institutions assigned to crime control. 9. To be able to define the “sustainability” concept and have a clear understanding of the nature, cause and impacts of environmental crimes. CLASS FORMAT The class has an interactive format in which it is expected that all students engage in active discussions about the assigned reading, lectures and other materials brought to class such as videos and documentaries. We will focus on the deconstruction of misconceptions and on the understanding of the discussed topics. Also, we will reflect on the applications and impacts that those topics have in our individual and social contexts. Prior to class, students need to read carefully their assignments, and come to class with comments about their understanding of the readings, questions for discussion and be prepared to write a response question. Throughout the course current events will be considered and discussed as they relate to the material. CLASS DECORUM Your thoughts and ideas are welcomed and respected in this class. Students should feel the class is a safe environment to freely construct and express their ideas. Consequently, RESPECT is essential in this class. Please keep in mind: Use respectful and liberating language. Do not employ stereotypes, slurs, or language that disrespects others. Let us not lose sight or our common humanity. Keep an open mind. Respect the thoughts and ideas of your fellow peers. Learn to listen and discuss with others whose perspectives and experiences differ from your own. Please avoid behaviors such as side conversations while the instructor or another student is speaking, texting, using a computer for purposes not associated with the class and eating. Please turn off and put away all electronic devices that are not necessary for class such as cell phones, computers, Mp3s, while in the classroom. Computers and smart phones will be allowed only in cases that are required for the purposes of the class. Students showing a lack of respect for others will be asked to leave the room for the remainder of the class. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! GRADING Letter Grade Numeric Grade GPA Equivalent A 94– 100 4. A- 90– 93 3. B+ 87– 89 3. B 83– 86 3. B- 80– 82 2. C+ 77– 79 2. C 73– 76 2. C- 70– 72 1. D+ 67– 69 1. D 63– 66 1. D- 60– 62 0. F 00. – 59 0
trends and how the information can be used to prevent crime in your community. See details at the bottom of the syllabus and on Angel. Due on October12@11:50 PM on Angel
6. Research Paper (20) You are asked to write the preliminary steps of a short research paper about one specific topic within the main subjects covered in the text book. See details at the end of this syllabus and on Angel. Due on December 9 @11:50 PM on Angel LATE ASSIGNMENTS All assignments are due on the day of the class noted. No late assignments will be accepted. No makeup work is allowed except through prior arrangement with the instructor. The instructor will only permit the makeup of work due to a legitimate absence. It is the responsibility of the student to find out what was missed in a class not attended and make up the work. ACADEMIC HONESTY Please note: Unless prior approval is granted by the instructor, all work submitted for this course is to be your own original work completed specifically for this course and not previously or concurrently submitted to any other instructor. All infractions of this policy will be taken seriously and pursued accordingly. Please refer to the Student Handbook for more specific policy guidelines. Cheating and plagiarism are taken very seriously and are grounds for failure in this course. To plagiarize is to use another’s words as your own, without proper attribution given to the original author. Unethical work will be severely punished and penalized: 1. Cheating - use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids 7. Fabrication - falsification of information 8. Plagiarism - representing the words or ideas of someone else, without giving them proper citation. STUDENTS WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED "North Shore Community College welcomes students with disabilities to engage in an interactive, collaborative partnership with Disability Services and faculty in order to meet your educational and academic needs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic accommodations in this course and have not yet met with a Disability Counselor, please visit www.northshore.edu/disability and follow the outlined procedure to request services. If Disability Services has formally approved you for an academic accommodation in this class, please present me with your “Faculty Notice of Academic Accommodations” during the first week of the semester, so that we can address your specific needs as early as possible. If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation on campus, please notify me immediately. For your reference, evacuation procedures are posted in all classrooms." PROGRESS REVIEW I will be available immediately after class for individual consultation if you feel that you need feedback or have any questions or concerns regarding your progress throughout the semester. You may contact me through e-mail. It is my intention to do everything in my control to help you to achieve the objectives of the course and enjoy this semester while we are together.
SEMESTER OVERVIEW
DATES TOPICS READINGS ASSIGNMENTS Week 1 September 9 Building a community of learners:
- Introductions
- Syllabus review
- Class expectations Week 2 September 14, Recognizing our “Broad social and natural context” The Meaning of Sustainability Crime and Criminology Chapter 1 Forum # Due: September 13 @11:50 PM Week 3 September 21, Crime and Criminology (Cont) The Nature and Extent of Crime Chapter 2 Forum # 2: answer questions 4 (pp.24)and 2 (pp.57) Due: September 20@ 11:50 PM Week 4 September 28, Victims and Victimization Chapter 3 Forum # 3 : answer question 1 (pp.
Due: September 27@ 11:50 PM. Week 5 October 5, Choice Theory Chapter 4 Exam # 1 (chapters 1, 2, 3,4) on October 7 Week 6 October 12, Trait Theories. Chapter 5 CDP due: October12@11:50 PM Forum # 4: answer questions 1 (pp.
Due: October 13@ 11:50 PM Week 7 October 19, Social Structure Theories. Social Process Theories Chapters 6 and 7 Forum # 5 : answer questions 3 (pp. 165) and 4 (pp. 195) Due: October 18@ 11:50 PM Week 8 October 26, Social Conflict and Critical Criminology Developmental Theories Chapters 8 and 9 Forum # 6: answer questions 1 (pp.223) and 2 (pp. 251) Due: October 25@11:50 PM Week 9 November 2, Chapter 10- Violent crime Chapter 11- Property Crime Chapters 10 and 11 Exam # 2 (chapters 5, 6, 7,8,9) On November 4 Week 10 November 9, Enterprise Crime: White-Collar, cyber crime and organized Crime Chapters 12 Forum # 7 answer question 1 (pp.
Due: November 8@11:50 PM Week 11 November 16, 18 Organized Crime: Terrorism Enterprise Crime: Environmental Crimes Readings on Angel Forum # 8 answer question 1 (pp.
- applied to the Gulf Cost oil spill. Due: November 15@11:50 PM Week 12 November 23 Enterprise Crime: Environmental Crimes (cont.) Public Order Crime. Readings on Angel Chapter 13 Forum # 9 answer question 1 (pp.
Due: November 15@11:50 PM Week 13 November 30 December 2 Public Order Crime (Cont.) The Criminal Justice System Chapter 14 Forum # 10 answer question 3 (pp.
Due: December 2 @11:50 P.M Week 14 December 7, The Criminal Justice System (cont.) Group Presentations on Crime Typology Group Presentations Research Paper Due on December 9@ 11:50 PM Week 14 December 14, Group Presentations on Crime Typology Group Presentations Exam # 3 (chapters: 10, 11, 12, 13,14) on December 16
“Evaluating Crime Data” (pp. 36-41). A paragraph of minimum 400 words using Times New Roman, double space and 12 as a font size. Rubrics for Grading: Total Points 12 Data: Accuracy, period (tables, chart) 5 Analysis: soundness, reflect reading 5 Form 1 Bibliography 1 Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Final Research Paper Due on: December 9 @11:50 PM on Angel You are asked to write the preliminary steps of a short research paper about one specific topic within the main subjects covered in the textbook following steps 1 through 4 of “A Research Model 9 (pp. 126- text book). The paper should have:
- A topic and a tentative title for your paper.
- A problem or thesis statement.
- Reviewing of literature Present this review in the form of an annotated bibliography (see link below on how to prepare an annotated bibliography). Use at least five resources from library sources (books, or articles from journals on library databases). DO NOT USE WEBSITES. For each source you should write a summary of a minimum of 200 words. In this summary you also should indicate how the content of that source relates to your hypothesis.
- A hypothesis or question
- A response about what you learned on the problem you chose as your topic. Minimum 400 words The paper should be typed (double-spaced and 12 point font, Times New Roman or Arial). Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count so please proofread your work before turning it in. Use formal writing. Do not use contractions (“don’t” should be “do not”; “I’m” should be “I am”). If you need assistance with your writing and/or editing, please make an appointment with one of the tutors at the writing center. Here are some useful websites that will help you with your assignment: How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm How to use appropriate bibliographic citation: Find here MLA examples on how to do in text citation and on how to present your bibliographic list: http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/mla Find here APA examples on how to do in text citation and on how to present your bibliographic list: http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/apa
