Criminology
CSOC 314
Professor Rich
Anderson-Connolly
Spring 2009
Wyatt 301
Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-3:20
Contact Information
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Office |
McIntyre 213N |
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Office Hours |
M-W-F 11:00-12:00 and by appointment or drop-in |
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Phone |
X3597 |
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webpage: |
Course Description
The field of criminology covers two main areas: (1) the criminal justice system (CJS), its functions and dysfunctions, and (2) theories of law-breaking. We will begin the course by examining the central elements of the CJS – the police, courts, and corrections – along with the problems and biases in the system. We will also critically examine the ways in which crime is reported – and distorted – by the popular media. Once we have a more realistic understanding of criminal behavior we can then attempt to explain it.
In the second half of the course we turn our attention to the other element of criminology: Why do people break the law? Criminology is a field with many competing theories and little consensus, requiring that we survey a large number of possible explanations. We will end the course by considering four current issues – homelessness and crime, drugs, guns, and terrorism and civil liberties.
Course Materials
1. Kappeler and Potter (4th ed.) The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice.
2. Curran and Renzetti (2nd ed.) Theories of Crime.
3.
Blackboard
Assignments & Grading
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Exam 1 |
100 points |
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Final Exam |
150 points |
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100 points |
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Essay 2 |
100 points |
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500 points |
Late Work
Late essays, unless other arrangements are made before the deadline,
will lose 15 points per day.
If you are going to miss an exam you must provide a valid reason before the exam, otherwise you may receive no points. Please call me, call the office, or send an email.
Exams
The material covered on each exam will be reviewed in class. The types of questions can include long essay, short essay/definitions, and multiple choice.
Participation, Attendance, and Behavioral Expectations
To reward your engagement with the material and your fellow students, a small component of the grade (about 10%) will be based on how often you attend and how much you contribute, in an informed manner, to the classroom conversations. Answering or asking questions based on the readings or relevant current events would be valuable participation.
Secondly, you must attend at least one of the two trips (and two of two is strongly encouraged). Unfortunately both the prison and the courts offer tours only in the AM. Please plan ahead and rearrange your schedule if necessary.
The following simple rules are designed to promote an appropriate classroom environment:
· Turn off cell phones. (Do not send text-messages.)
· Use the bathroom before or after class. Do not get up during class to use the facilities.
· No eating during class. Beverages are fine.
Essay Assignments
Essay 1: The Ideal vs. the Real in the Criminal Justice System.
In this essay you will take a component of the CJS (Policing, Prosecuting, Community Corrections, Prisons, etc.) and compare and contrast the intended functioning with the actual functioning. You must first describe the ideal functioning of the component in a democratic society. Then you will evaluate the actual operating of component in comparison to the ideal. Due: March 22
Essay 2: Explaining Criminal Behavior.
In this essay you will critically evaluate a specific criminological theory. That is, you should answer the question, how well does this theory explain criminal behavior? You will need to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the theory. Does the theory work well for some crimes or offenders and not others? In making your argument you may want to compare and contrast the theory to other criminological theories. Use empirical evidence from official data sources and scholarly journals to support your reasoning. Due: April 24
The important elements are to be logical and to present good evidence to support your thesis, which should be stated very clearly in your introductory paragraph. You will be graded on these items: clarity of thesis, strength of evidence, logic of argument, following proper format (below) and, to a lesser degree, quality of writing.
A note on academic sources. The required academic journals can be found primarily in the library or on the university library databases. Don’t rely upon Time, Newsweek, The LA Times, etc. Some information can be found on the internet, however, be certain that the site is produced by a legitimate authority on the subject (e.g., research institutes, think tanks, and the government).
Other Requirements
My grading system corresponds to the following
A: Exceeded my expectations for clarity, logic, and evidence
B: Met my expectations for clarity, logic, and evidence
C: Failed to meet my expectations for clarity, logic, and/or evidence
D: Serious shortcomings in clarity, logic, and/or evidence
F: Bad D essay
Schedule of Topics and
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Date |
Topic |
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Tuesday 1/20 |
Introduction/Defining the Field of Criminology |
No |
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Part I: The Criminal Justice System (CJS) |
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Thursday 1/22 |
The Extent of Crime |
BB: “Crime Types” “International Homicide Statistics” “Criminal Victimization” |
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Tuesday 1/27 |
The Social Construction of Crime |
K & P chap 1 BB: “Defining Crime” “News Propaganda” “Girl’s Slaying” Optional |
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Thursday 1/29 |
The CJS – Policing |
BB: “Policing” |
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Tuesday 2/3 |
Policing in Lt. Roberts and Officer Thornton, TPD |
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Thursday 2/5 |
The CJS – Courts (and biases) –Move to 1/30 |
K & P chap 11 BB: “Courts” |
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Tuesday 2/10 |
Visit to WA Women’s 8:45 – 11:30 AM in |
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Thursday 2/12 |
Plea Bargaining (Video) |
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Tuesday 2/17 |
Visit to Superior Court 9: (Instead of regular class meeting) |
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Thursday 2/19 |
Race and Class Biases in the CJS |
K & P chap 10 |
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Tuesday 2/24 |
The Prosecuting Attorney Phil Sorensen, |
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Thursday 2/26 |
Race and Class Biases in the CJS |
K & P chap 7 BB: “Are Companies Killing Workers?” |
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Tuesday 3/3 |
The CJS – Corrections |
BB: “Incarceration” “Prison Population” |
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Thursday 3/5 |
Kevin Bovenkamp, Guest Lecturer |
BB: “Community Corrections” |
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Tuesday 3/10 |
Crime and Punishment |
K & P chap 13 BB: “Less Crime, More Inmates” “Rockefeller Laws” |
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Thursday 3/12 |
Exam #1 |
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Tuesday 3/17 |
Spring Break |
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Thursday 3/19 |
Spring Break |
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Part II: Explanations of Crime |
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Tuesday 3/24 |
Social Scientific Explanations |
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Thursday 3/26 |
Biological and Psychological Theories Due: Essay #1 (email to raconnolly@ups.edu) |
C & R chap 2 & 3 |
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Tuesday 3/31 |
Social Process Theories |
C & R chap 5 |
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Thursday 4/2 |
Social Structure Theories I |
C & R chap 4 |
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Tuesday 4/7 |
Social Structure Theories II |
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Thursday 4/9 |
No Class. RAC at a Conference. |
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Radical Theories |
C & R chap 6 |
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Tuesday 4/14 |
Feminist Theories |
C & R chap 7 |
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Thursday 4/16 |
Recent Developments in Theory |
BB: “ “Coercion, Social Support, and Crime” |
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Part III: Current Topics in Criminology |
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Tuesday 4/21 |
Homelessness and Crime |
BB: “Homelessness” Folder |
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Thursday 4/23 |
Drugs and Crime |
BB: “Drugs” Folder |
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Tuesday 4/28 |
Gun Control Due: Essay #2 (email to
raconnolly@ups.edu) |
BB: “Guns” Folder |
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Thursday 4/30 |
Terrorism and Civil Liberties |
BB: “Civil Liberties” Folder |
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Tuesday 5/5 |
Catch-up and Review for Exam |
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Thursday 5/14 |
4:00 – 6:00 Final Exam |
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K & P : Kappeler and Potter, The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice
C & R: Curran and Renzetti, Theories of Crime
BB: Blackboard