CRIME AND DELINQUENCY

A social-scientific perspective is used to examine major theories in the social, behavioral, biological and economic sciences that purport to explain the causes of crime and delinquency. The theoretical basis and practical implications of crime and delinquency-prevention strategies are also analyzed.

Required text, readings and viewings

Bernard, Snipes and Gerould, "Vold's Theoretical Criminology," Oxford University Press, Sixth Edition, 2009.

This website - Research Process and Research Designs

All films specified on the schedule.

Cell phones, pagers and laptops

Please set cell phones and pagers to silent mode.

Absolutely NO use of laptops or other electronic devices in class. NO recording.  Laptops and other devices are distracting to users, other students and the instructor. Students with special needs are excepted (please bring your form on the first day of class.) Please take notes the old-fashioned way and plan your online activities accordingly.

Why the rule?  For an illustrated reason, click here.

Exams

Three non-cumulative exams worth 25 points each that test comprehension of readings, class discussions, films and videos.  Each exam will have thirty multiple-choice questions from the text worth 1/2 point each. There will also be an essay question worth 10 points that will ask students to integrate theories, concepts and issues from that part of the semester with one of the films shown during that period.  This question will be selected from those turned in by students as part of their presentations. Maximum response length for the theory/film essay is one side of a small bluebook page.

A makeup exam for the first or second midterm may be given for a documented emergency. Students who cannot take either of these exams on the scheduled date should e-mail. They will have one opportunity to take the make-up during the next class session; if they cannot they should drop the course.  Students cannot make up more than one of the first two exams. There are no makeups for the final.  Students who cannot legitimately take the final may at the instructor's discretion be given an "I"ncomplete.

Each exam is a mandatory component of the course.  To earn a grade higher than "F" all must be taken.

Panel presentation

Each student will participate in a panel and turn in notecards and an essay exam question. Please click on the above link for detailed instructions.

Course grading

100 points can be earned: 25 for each exam and 25 for the panel (10 for the oral presentation, 10 for the exam question and 5 for the notecards.)

Semester grades will be assigned using the conventional scale (A=90, B=80, C=70, D=60, F=59 or lower), curved if necessary to reflect class performance.

Failure to complete any component of the course forfeits those points and may result in a term grade of "F". No extra credit assignments will be given.

I do NOT use the plus/minus system.  Any instance of academic dishonesty will result in a term grade of "F".

Schedule

Week – Dates – Topic/Film – Chapters – Slide Shows – Other

1 – 8/23-25 – Criminology as a science – Chp. 1 – Slide show – Research Process – Research Designs

2 – 8/30-9/1 – Biological theories – Chp. 3 – Slide show

3 – 9/6-8 – Psychological theories – Chp. 4 – Slide show – Prisoner mental health problems slide show – Street gangs.com

4 – 9/13-15 – "Deliver Us From Evil" (Instr. 4, Netflix DVD) – Panel 1 presents – IMDB – Oliver O'Grady – CBS News

5 – 9/20-22 – "Stevie" (Instr. 3, Netflix DVD) – Panel 2 presents – Summary slide – IMDB

6 – 9/27, 28 (first half) – Exam 1 (weeks 1-5 plus films)

6 – 9/28 (second half), 9/29 – Economic theories – Chp. 5 – Slide show

7 – 10/4-6 – Control theories – Chp. 10 – Slide show

8 – 10/11-13 – "I Am a Promise" (Instr. 2, Netflix DVD) – Panel 3 presents

9 – 10/18-20 – Strain theories – Chp. 8 – Slide show

10 – 10/25-27 – "Hood 2 Hood: The Blockumentary" (Instr. 3) – Panel 4 presents – Summary slide – Streetgangs.com

11 – 11/1, 2 (first half) – Exam 2 (weeks 6-10 plus films)

11 – 11/2 (second half), 11/3 – Learning theories – Chp. 9 – Slide show

12 – 11/8-10 – Latin Kings: A Street Gang Story (Instr. 2) – Panel 5 presents – Wikipedia – Summary slide – Streetgangs.com – HBO

13 – 11/15-17 – Labeling theory & conflict criminology – Chps. 11 & 12 – Slide show 1 – Slide show 2

14 – 11/22-24 – Fall recess, no classes

15 – 11/29-12/1 – "F.E.D.S." (Instr. 4, Netflix DVD and streaming) – Panel 6 presents – Summary slide – Streetgangs.com

16 – 12/6-8 – "What We Want, What We Believe" (Instr. 1) – Panel 7 presents – BPP summary slide – BPP Website – Wikipedia – Film website

17 – Final exam (weeks 11-16 plus films): Tuesday 12/13, 5:00-6:50 pm; Wednesday 12/14, 7:30-9:20 pm

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