47: 202: 102 Criminology
Tuesdays, 6:00- 9:00 PM I. Course Information Instructor Information: Instructor: Elizabeth Webster Email: liz.webster@rutgers.edu Office: Center for Law and Justice, Room 579E, 123 Washington Street Office Hours: Tuesdays, by appointment Classroom: Center for Urban and Public Service, Room 104, 111 Washington Street Course Overview: This course introduces students to the study of criminology by discussing the main theoretical perspectives from the very early foundations of the discipline to the present issues under discussion in the field. We will focus on the problems of definition and measurement and the difficulties of explaining, preventing, and controlling crime. We will discuss the crime control implications and cultural assumptions of each theoretical perspective as well as its historical context. Through in-class lectures, discussions, and student presentations, we will explore the following questions: What is crime? Why do people commit crimes? Why don’t people commit crimes? What is the relationship between crime and punishment? From the Course Catalog: Crime and criminal behavior, theories, and research. Addresses the causes of crime and crime rates. United States and international comparisons are provided. Prerequisite: None Learning Objectives: Students will be able to critically evaluate theories and the evidence used to support them, as well as
their own assumptions and beliefs. On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: • Describe the central tenets of criminological theories, including early and current debates that have shaped the evolution of these theories • Critically examine crime and deviance as social constructs and evaluate the effects that societal responses to crime have on criminal behavior • Apply abstract theoretical concepts to specific crime phenomena • Understand diverse methods of data collection and the challenges of researching crime and deviance Required Readings: 1. Criminological Theory: Past to Present, Fifth Edition. Cullen, Agnew and Wilcox, Eds. 2. Required readings and viewings posted to Blackboard under the folder “Course Documents” Course Structure: Our time in class will be divided between student presentations, lecture, and discussion with occasional group work activities
II. Course Schedule Date Week 1
Class Topic
Readings & Assignments Due Jan 17: First day of class. In-class viewing: “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia” This is required viewing. If you miss the first day of class, the film can be streamed on Netflix or Amazon Prime Instant Video. You cannot participate in discussion or complete writing assignments without watching the film.
Week 2
Classical Theories/ Rational Choice/ Deterrence
Jan 24: Part I, Introduction and #1 (pgs. 21-30) Part XI, Introduction and #33 (pgs. 417-436) Required reading on BB: “The Rational Choices of Crack Addicts,” John Tierney
Week 3
Biosocial and Trait Theories Jan 31: Part I, #2 (pgs. 31-33) Part II, Introduction, #5 and #6 (pgs. 34-46 and pgs. 76-94) Student Presentation
Week 4
Social Disorganization
Feb 7: Part III, Introduction and # 7, 8, and 9 (pgs. 97-126) Part XVI #48 (pgs. 649-658)
Student Presentation Week 5
Differential Association/ Social Learning
Feb 14: Part IV, Introduction and #10, 11 and 12 (pgs. 127165) Student Presentation
Week 6
Anomie/ Strain
Feb 21: Part V, Introduction and # 13-16 (pgs. 166-211) Required Viewing: PBS Frontline “The Interrupters” Student Presentation
Week 7
Social Control/ Social Bonds
Feb 28: Part VI, Introduction and # 17-19 (pgs. 212-250) Midterm Review Student Presentation
Week 8
Midterm
March 7: Midterm examination
Week 9
Spring Break
March 14: No classes
Week 10
Developmental
March 21: Part XIII, Introduction and #40, 41 and 42 (pgs. 511544) Student Presentation
Week 11
Labeling
March 28: Part VII, Introduction and #20 and 22 (pgs. 253-262, 263-266, 276-283) Required reading on BB: “Profiles of Punishment and Privilege,” Hagan and Foster Student Presentation
Week 12
Critical Criminology
April 4: Required reading on BB: “The Rich Get Richer, and the Poor Get Prison,”
Jeffrey H. Reiman “The Color of Justice,” Michelle Alexander Required viewing on Netflix: “13TH” Student Presentation Week 13
Feminist Perspectives
April 11: Required reading on BB: “Gender and Criminal Offending,” Dana M. Britton “The Consequences of the Criminal Justice Pipeline on Black and Latino Masculinity,” Victor Rios Student Presentation
Week 14
White-Collar Crime
April 18: Part X, Introduction and #30 (pgs 375-397) Required viewing on Netflix: “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” Student Presentation
Week 15
Environmental
April 25: Part XII, Introduction and #36-38 (pgs. 454-496) Final Review
Final Exam I reserve the right to make changes to the schedule
III.
May 9
Grading
The final grade will be assessed based upon performance on the following: 1. Attendance/ Participation – 15% 2. Midterm Exam – 25% 3. Final Exam – 25% 4. In-Class Writing Assignments (4) – 25% 5. Group Presentations – 10% Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A 90.0% or higher B+ 87.0% to 89.9% B 80.0% to 86.9% C+ 77.0% to 79.9%
C 70.0% or 76.9% D 60.0% to 69.9% F 59.9% or lower
Assignments In-Class Writing Assignments: To test your comprehension of the readings, we will have a minimum of five writing assignments during class time (you will be graded on the best four). You will be given a question, or a prompt, and 20 minutes to respond. Since these assignments are unannounced and timed, grammar mistakes or misspellings will not count against you. Instead, you will be graded on your ability to think critically about the reading. You will need to provide specific examples and details from the reading to support your points as you answer the question or prompt. Reach beyond your general knowledge to make connections with the specific material that you were asked to read. The questions will require some reflection and thoughtful analysis in the response. The grading scheme is as follows: • Check plus √ + (10 out of 10) – Accurately recalls specific points presented in the reading, applies them to the question, makes an argument, and fully explains and supports this argument with specific, appropriate examples. • Check √ (8 out of 10) – Accurately recalls the reading and applies some knowledge gained from the reading to the question, but the argument is more informational than analytical, and/or the argument is inconsistent or misapplied. • Check minus √ - (6 out of 10) – Exhibits incomplete or incorrect understanding of the reading and/or the question. The argument is clear, but not well explained and not well supported. • 0/4 - the writing is particularly inarticulate, illegible, and/or brief. (Please write clearly.) Your letter grade will be averaged from the top four of these writing assignments. For example, if you receive two 6’s, one 8 and two 10’s your grade would be an 85, or a B. Exams: We will have two open-book, timed exams to be administered through Blackboard during our normal class sessions. You may take these anywhere you have computer access. The final exam will be cumulative. You will need to have a strong understanding of the theories covered in the first half of the semester in order to answer questions about the theories covered in the second half of the semester. The final exam will be administered on Tuesday, May 9th from 6 to 9 PM. Each exam will consist of multiple choice, true/false and short essay questions. Group Presentations: You will collaborate with a partner to give a ten-minute presentation applying one of the theories from class to a specific criminal behavior or activity. Presentations will be given during the week that each particular theory is being discussed. For example, if you and your partner decide that you’d like to present on how biosocial theories explain sociopathic serial killers you would be scheduled to present on January 31st. You would therefore need to do the reading in advance and, in effect, be prepared to teach your classmates how the theory can be applied to actual behavior using a specific example(s). As well, you would be in touch with me well in advance of your presentation so I can verify that your chosen example(s) is appropriate to the theory under discussion. You will be jointly graded according to: • Your communication with me in advance (We should be in touch via email a week ahead of time so that you have a chance to change course if necessary) • Your understanding of the theory and ability to communicate it to your classmates (this includes your effectiveness in answering questions at the conclusion of the
• •
presentation) The appropriateness of your example(s) to the theory under discussion Clarity of your presentation and evidence of preparedness (including either Powerpoint slides or prepared notes, or both)
Late or Missing Assignment Policy: Missed Exams and/or Presentations: Students who fail to take an exam on the date scheduled (or give a presentation on the date scheduled) will not be provided a make-up opportunity unless extenuating circumstances exist and proper documentation is provided to warrant such action. Failure to promptly notify me of the need for a make-up examination (or reschedule the presentation) will result in a grade of zero for that exam/presentation as will failure to provide proper documentation. Documentation must be provided before the make-up exam can be administered. You are required to complete at least four writing assignments. If you are not present to complete at least four writing assignments you will receive a 0 for any missing assignments and will not be provided with an opportunity to make them up. Attendance/ Participation: Regular attendance and active participation are required. • More than one unexcused absence will count against your attendance grade. • Three unexcused absences will result in the drop of an entire grade point (10 points off the final grade out of 100). • Four unexcused absences will result in an F for the course. • Arriving late for class (or leaving early) three times will count as an absence. If you must miss a class, please let me know in advance via email and please arrange to have a fellow classmate share notes with you. It is your responsibility to catch up on what you missed. The best way to correspond with me about any lateness or absence is via email since that provides a record that we can refer to later if necessary. The success of the class depends upon your positive presence. Since this is a discussion-based class, you are expected to respectfully contribute to the discussion. However, your participation grade depends less on how much you contribute than on your positive presence in the classroom. Positive presence means: • Arriving on time and staying for the entire period • Turning off phones and removing headphones • Actively listening and taking notes • Refraining from leaving the room until break time or until class is finished. Please feel free to bring to class examples from the news media, or even from your own experiences, to help illustrate the ideas and concepts we discuss. Most importantly, complete the required reading in advance, and come to class ready to discuss. Read: If a student is tardy, disruptive, or inconsiderate it will not help his/her participation grade to contribute to the discussion on occasion. Respect for fellow classmates is paramount.
IV. Course Policies Academic Integrity As a member of the Rutgers University community you are not to engage in any academic dishonesty. You are responsible for adhering to basic academic standards of honesty and integrity as outlined in the Rutgers University Policy on Academic Integrity for Undergraduate and Graduate Students http://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity Your academic work should be the result of your own individual effort, you should not allow other students to use your work, and you are required to recognize and reference any material that is not your own. Violations of the university’s policy will result in appropriate action. Academic Resources Students with Disabilities Rutgers University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity for persons with disabilities in accordance with the Nondiscrimination Policy of the University and in compliance with § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For additional information please visit the website https://ods.rutgers.edu/ or contact the representative for the Newark Campus. Kate Torres Coordinator of ADA Services and Academic Support Robeson Campus Center, Suite 352 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973.353.5300 Fax: 973.353.5666 E-mail: kate.torres@rutgers.edu Website: https://ods.rutgers.edu/ Psychological and Counseling Services If you experience psychological or other difficulties as a result of this course, or because of other issues that may interfere with your performance in the course, please contact the university’s psychological and counseling service center (http://www.counseling.newark.rutgers.edu; 973-353-5805), which is located in Blumenthal Hall, room 101. The center offers a variety of free, confidential services to part-time and full-time students who are enrolled at Rutgers. If you are interested in finding out more about • Accelerated Master's Program (B.S. /M.A.) • Criminal Justice National Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma) Please refer to the School of Criminal Justice website http://rscj.newark.rutgers.edu/