Mubert.marshall.edu



| |CJ 404/504 | |

| |Theoretical Criminology | |

| |Section 103 CRN 1821/1830 | |

| |T 4:00-6:20 Smith Hall 418 | |

INSTRUCTOR

Sam Dameron

Office: Smith Hall 732

Office Phone: 304-696-2568

Fax: 304-696-3085

Email: dameron@marshall.edu

Webpage:

Office Hours: Office Hours:

Monday & Wednesday 0930-0945, 1330-1345 1530-1630

Tuesday 0930-1200, 1330-1545

Thursday May or May Not Be in the Office

Friday 0930-0945

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A critical analysis of major criminological theories and their empirical foundations. Current theory and research receive greater emphasis than historical development. Capstone experience. Writing Intensive.

PREQUISITES

CJ 200

WRITING INTENSIVE

DESIRED LEARNER OUTCOMES/OBJECIVES

▪ STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE & CRIMINOLOGY PROGRAM

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice, and in part emphasized and reinforced through this course, undergraduate students will be able to:

1. increase their knowledge of criminological theory and its role in the analysis of adult and juvenile delinquent and criminal behavior and in the practice of justice, including the role of theory in the practice of law enforcement, the practice of law, adjudication, and sentencing, and in the practice of corrections.

2. increase their knowledge of research methods and the relationship of research to the practice of law enforcement, law, and corrections in both the adult and juvenile systems.

3. develop or enhance their critical thinking skills related to the theory and practice of law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

4. develop or enhance their skills in written communication.

5. develop or enhance their skills in obtaining, understanding, critically evaluating, and applying information from scholarly research as it relates to material presented in the classroom.

Upon completion of the Master of Science degree in criminal justice, and in part emphasized and reinforced through this course, graduate students will be able to:

1. develop advanced knowledge of criminological theories.

2. enhance their critical thinking skills related to criminal justice theory and practice.

3. enhance their oral communication skills.

4. enhance their written communication skills.

5. enhance their research skills by evaluating scholarly literature via the library database and internet database searches.

6. develop or enhance their awareness of sensitivity to the complex nature of social problems that relate to crime and to the practice of criminal justice and criminology.

7. examine, evaluate, and apply ethical principles of the discipline in regard to research, use of sources, collaboration with colleagues, and principled decision/policy making.

▪ STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. articulate principles and concepts of various criminological perspectives, which include deterrence, rational choice, biological, psychological, social learning, social control, conflict, labeling, social disorganization, anomie, strain, critical, postmodern, feminist, and integrated theories.

2. develop basic scientific inquiry skills, particularly the link between theory, research, and policy implications.

3. examine the utility of criminological theory by applying it to a crime/criminal behavior using critical and analytical thinking strategies.

4. develop an advanced knowledge base of criminological theories through various forms of writing, both informal and formal.

5. develop and enhance critical thinking skills through various forms of writing, both informal and formal.

6. conduct research using the library databases and to summarize refereed journal articles about crime/criminal behavior and theoretical explanations for crime.

7. develop and enhance professional writing skills and to use effectively the APA publication guidelines by completing a case study of crime/criminal behavior.

EVALUATION/MEASUREMENT/ASSESSMENT OF LEARNER OBJECTIVES

1. Tests will consist of fill-in-the-blank, listing, short answer, matching, essay, and application questions.

2. The paper will be graded as a paper for grading purposes and as the writing requirement for those who need to fulfill it. These two grades are separate. Multiple or excessive errors in writing will not pass the writing requirement. Significant deductions will be made for grammar, spelling, and writing errors (See paper guidelines.) The major focus for the class grade will be knowledge and application of a theory, however, deductions as above also will be made.

3. Quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, true-false and/or short-answer.

4. All grading will involve theory knowledge and application.

REQUIRED TEXTS*

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Brown, S. E., Esbensen, F., & Geis, G. (2010). Criminology: Explaining crime and its

contexts (7th ed.). Newark, NJ: Lexis Nexus.

*Additional readings may be assigned and placed on reserve.

COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

Students must have a computer or access a computer. Students also must have access to the Internet to send and receive email messages. If you are using an email account other than your Marshall Email account, you must set your Marshall Email account to forward to your other account. Student information will be sent only to the student’s Email account. Students are expected to check their Marshall Email account frequently.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Role will be taken at each class. If you are not there when the role is taken you will not be recorded as present. There is no penalty for absences except in the case of missing a quiz, assignment due date, or test. To make up missed work, an absence for a quiz, assignment, or test must meet the University Excused Absence Policy of the current Marshall University Undergraduate/GRaduate Catalog. Missed tests, assignments, or quizzes that are unexcused will result in a grade of zero for the missed requirement.

During testing sessions, once any student has left the classroom no student will be allowed to take the test and any student who comes to take the test after a student has left the classroom will receive a zero. If a student comes late to take an examination their paper will be taken when the assigned test conclusion time is reached, they will not receive an extension to complete the examination.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is the use of another’s thoughts or ideas and claming them as your own. This includes quoting without citing, but also includes paraphrasing another’s work without giving them credit.

Plagiarism or academic dishonesty, such as cheating on quizzes or exams, will result in an “F” for the assignment or course and reporting of the violation to the Academic Affairs Office, as a minimum.

QUIZZES

There will be eight quizzes about eight theories chosen throughout the semester and announced the class meeting before the quiz is given. If it becomes necessary to include more quizzes for learning or attendance purposes, these quizzes will be counted toward examination grades.

EXAMS

There will be two exams. Exams may consist of a variety of response formats such as, multiple choice, true/false, matching, listing, short answer, essay and/or any combination of the above.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINATION OF GRADES

|Grading Criteria |Grades |

| |Number |Points |Total Ugrad.|Number |Points |Total |GRADING SCALE |

| |Ugrad. |Ugrad. | |Grad. |Grad |Grad | |

|Exam # 1 |1 |150 |150 |1 |125 |125 |900-1000% = A |

|Exam # 2 |1 |150 |150 |1 |125 |125 |800-899% = B |

|Exam # 3 |1 |150 |150 |1 |125 |125 |700-799% = C |

|Topic/Cover Sheet |1 |25 |25 |1 |25 |25 |600-699% = D |

|Thesis Statement |1 |20 |20 |1 |10 |10 |Below 600% = F |

|Bibliography |1 |100 |100 |1 |50 |50 | |

|Concept Map |1 |25 |25 |1 |25 |25 | |

|First Five Pages |1 |50 |50 |1 |25 |25 | |

|Paper |1 |200 |200 |1 |200 |200 | |

|Mini-Theory Applications |5 |20 |100 |5 |20 |100 | |

|Article Summaries |0 |0 |0 |3 |50 |150 | |

|Quizzes (Essays) |8 (7) |5 |35 |8 |5 |40 | |

| |Drop Lowest | | | | | | |

|TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | | |1000 | | |1000 | |

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (INFORMAL)

Assignments will be given periodically to strengthen your understanding of writing as a process and criminological theory. Assignments will include APA citations to help develop the use of proper citations based on the APA publication manual. Assignments may be both in-class and out-of-class (there are no make-ups for in-class assignments). All out-of-class assignments (mini-theory applications) must be typed and double-spaced. APA format will be used, except for the abstract page. One inch margins and fonts standard fonts must be used. There is no exception for using any font larger than size Late assignments will not be accepted.

ADDITIONAL GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate students are expected to summarize three different original articles taken from journals, anthologies, or books of readings (if taken from anthologies or books of readings, the articles must be reprints of original articles). These summaries must be six to eight pages in length (including the cover sheet, abstract and works cited page). These journals must be submitted during the week the theory is covered in class. Only one theorist’s theory can be used per chapter in our book. The theory must be taken from Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 14). On the day the summary is given to the instructor another graduate student in the class must edit the paper before it is submitted to the instructor.

TERM PAPER

Each student will be expected to critically examine a crime/deviance and the criminals/deviants who, commit it. Students also will apply a theory to the crime/deviance committed by that individual/group, producing a paper that is original in thought and analysis; the paper must be a minimum of 10 pages typed, starting with the Introduction and ending with the Conclusion. The term paper will be due November 5, 2010. The paper outline and specific criteria will be discussed in class at a later date.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic Dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication and falsification of data or information, plagiarism, bribes/favors/threats, and complicity. If a student violates this policy, discretion will be used by the instructor depending on the severity of the offense. The sanctions may include but are not limited to lowering of a grade on a paper, lowering the final course grade, or failing the course. For The policy can be found in its entirety in the online MU Undergraduate Catalog.

Extra Credit:

There is one opportunity to receive extra credit in this course. That is, students who present their theory paper at the WVCJEA conference on Thursday and/or Friday, November 4 and 5 at WVU-Parkersburg may earn up to 10 points added to their final course grade. In addition, students who simply attend the conference may earn up to 5 points which will be added to their lowest exam score. Abstracts for presentations and papers for the state competition are due Friday, October 22.

Affirmative Action Policy:

This course will follow Marshall University’s policy on Affirmative Action, which can be found in the MU Undergraduate Catalog and MU Graduate Catalog. Specifically, all students will be afforded equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Inclement Weather Policy:

Students can find information concerning Marshall’s policy regarding inclement weather on the university website and in the MU Undergraduate Catalog. Please note that a two-hour delay means that classes that begin at 10:00 a.m. begin on time. Classes that begin at 9:30 a.m. meet at 10:00 a.m. and continue for the remaining period of that class.

Classroom Behavior:

1. All students are expected to be in class on time (including exam days).

2. All pagers, cell phones, electronic games, radios, tape or CD players, or other electronic devices such as IPods or MP3 players must be turned off before you enter the classroom. If you are on call or expect an emergency phone call during class, let me know before class and sit by the door. When your phone vibrates, go outside to answer the phone.

3. Text messaging or having one’s phone out during exams is forbidden. If a student does so, they will receive a zero for the exam or quiz.

4. Any questions that pertain to the syllabus, assignments, or grades should be asked before or after the lecture/discussion begins. Questions asked and comments made during the lecture must be relevant to the topic being discussed.

5. Respect different opinions and keep an open mind.

6. All students are expected to abide by the academic dishonesty-this means no cheating or plagiarizing.

7. Students are expected to speak one at a time. Do not be disruptive.

8. Working on other materials during class time is considered disruptive not only to the instructor but to other classmates as well.

9. No food, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages are permitted (non-alcoholic beverages are acceptable).

10. Students are prohibited from leaving the classroom once the lecture or discussion has started. Only in the case of an emergency can a student leave the room. If you need to leave class early for some reason, notify the instructor in advance.

11. Support your fellow classmates and reward each other with positive remarks/comments.

12. There is no such thing as a stupid question, unless you do not ask it. If a student asks a question it is generally one that other students also have.

13. You are expected to participate in discussions and question and answer sessions.

14. The Criminal Justice Department is not a print shop. If you are having trouble with your printer, you may email the assignment to me as proof that you have completed the assignment. At that point, no changes can be made to the assignment; to make changes would be academic dishonesty. You must print out the paper and bring it to me at the next class period. Be careful what you title your attachments because the spam blocker could block your message. If you do not get a reply from me about your paper/assignment, I probably didn’t get it. It is your responsibility to make sure I receive it.

15. Phone Behavior. (Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.) Turn them off, or on vibrate, when you get to class. If it goes off, you can be penalized two(2) (final grade points) points per occurrence. If you have an emergency situation, let me know and set by the door. When your phone vibrates go into the hall to answer it. No texting or answering of checking texts will be permitted in class. If you do so, you can be penalized two(2) points per occurrence. Also, you should not check to see who is calling or texting you. Such behavior is disruptive to the class and will be treated as if you answered the phone, two(2) (final grade) points per occurrence. Phones/Texts, Email, phones, etc. checked during tests will result in a zero for the examination. You also cannot listen to music or have earphones on while taking a test, or in class.

16. Computers in class are OK if you are taking notes. If you are emailing, or using the computer for non-class related surfing, your behavior will be counted as phone behavior, see number 8.

17. Stupid questions are questions that are not asked. Questions that are asked are not stupid questions and will not be treated as such. If you have a question on class material, ask it.

Ignorance means you are unaware of an answer, stupidity means you are incapable of understanding or knowing. If you don’t understand something, ask. I doubt that you are incapable of learning the material. Don’t let ignorance become stupidity, ask in class, by Email, or come to my office.

18. Answer questions during discussions. If you are wrong, I’ll let you know as gently as possible. I won’t make fun of your answer or you. However, make a true effort to answer the question. If you are just trying to be the center of attention and hog the discussions, I’ll let you know before the next class that you are over the top.

19. University Computing Services’ Acceptable Use Policy: All students are responsible for knowing this policy, which can be found on the web at

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|TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE FOR CJ 404/504 SECT. 103* | | | |

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|Dates/Course Topics | | | |

|Readings | | | |

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|Week 1 Aug 24 | | | |

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|Review Syllabus | | | |

|Introduction to Theory and APA Citation Style | | | |

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|Read Ch. 1 Skim Ch 2 | | | |

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|Classes Begin August 20 | | | |

|Aug. 27th – Last day to add classes | | | |

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|Week 2 Aug 31 | | | |

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|Classical, Neoclassical, & Rational Choice Theories | | | |

|Mini Theory 1 Due Aug 31 | | | |

|Read Ch. 5 | | | |

|Use Chs. 11-13 to help choose crime/deviance for paper. | | | |

|August 30th | | | |

|Withdraw period begins | | | |

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|Week 3 Sep 7 | | | |

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|Paper Strategies | | | |

|Topic/Cover Sheet | | | |

|Due Sep 7 | | | |

|Mini Theory 2 Due Sep 7 | | | |

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|Ch. 5 Cont. | | | |

|September 6 Labor Day | | | |

|No Class Labor Day | | | |

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|Week 4 Sep 14 | | | |

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|Biological Theories (quiz) | | | |

|Thesis Statement Due | | | |

|Due Sep 14 | | | |

|Read Ch. 6 | | | |

|September 17th | | | |

|App.for Dec. Graduation | | | |

|Due in Dean’s Office | | | |

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|Week 5 Sep 21 | | | |

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|Biological Continued | | | |

|Concept Map Due Sep 21 | | | |

|Mini Theory 3 Due Sep 17 | | | |

|Ch. 6 Cont. | | | |

|September 24 | | | |

|Last Day to Drop 1st 8Week Courses | | | |

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|Week 6 Sep 28 | | | |

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|Psychological Theory | | | |

|Exam #1 Sep 28 | | | |

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|Ch. 6 Cont. | | | |

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|Week 7 Oct 5 | | | |

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|Social Structural Theories | | | |

|Writing Lab-Concept Maps | | | |

|Bibliography Due Oct 5 | | | |

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|Read Ch. 7 | | | |

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|Week 8 Oct 12 | | | |

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|Social Structural | | | |

|Writing Editing | | | |

|First Five Pages Due Oct 12 | | | |

|Ch. 7 Cont. | | | |

|October 12 | | | |

|Mid-semester | | | |

|October 13 2nd 8 Week Courses Begin= | | | |

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|Week 9 Oct 19 | | | |

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|Social Process Theories | | | |

|Rough Draft Due Oct 19 | | | |

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|Week 10 Oct 26 | | | |

|Read Ch. 8 | | | |

|Oct 21-23 LAE Regionals | | | |

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|Social Process Theories Cont. Social Reaction Theories | | | |

|Student Appointments-Re: Term Paper | | | |

|Mini Theory 4 Due Oct 26 | | | |

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|Ch. 8 Cont. | | | |

|Read Ch. 9 | | | |

|October 29 | | | |

|Last Day to Drop a Full Semester Individual Course | | | |

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|Week 11 Nov 2 | | | |

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|Exam #2 | | | |

|Social Reaction Cont. | | | |

|Student Appointments-Re: Term Paper | | | |

|Exam 2 Nov 2 | | | |

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|Ch. 9, Cont. | | | |

|Nov 1-Dec 7 | | | |

|Complete Withdrawals Only | | | |

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|Week 12 November 9 | | | |

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|Social Reaction Theories Continued | | | |

|Term Paper Due Nov 5 | | | |

|Nov 4-5 WVCJEA Conference | | | |

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|Nov 12 Last Day to Drop a 2nd 8 Week Course | | | |

|Nov 8-19 Advance Registration for Currently Enrolled Students | | | |

|Nov 4-5 WVCJEA | | | |

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|Week 13 Nov 16 | | | |

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|Integrated and Developmental Theories | | | |

|Mini Theory 5 Due Nov 16 | | | |

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|Read Ch. 10 | | | |

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|Week 14 Nov 23 | | | |

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|NO CLASS-THANKSGIVING BREAK | | | |

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|Nov 22-27 | | | |

|Thanksgiving Break/ Fall Break No Classes | | | |

|Nov 22-Dec 22 Advanced Registration Open to All Admitted Students | | | |

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|Week 15 Nov 26-30 | | | |

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|Developmental Cont. | | | |

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|Mini Theory 6 Due Nov 26 | | | |

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|Week Dec 7 | | | |

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|The Future of Criminological Theory | | | |

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|Read Ch. 14 | | | |

|Tuesday December 7, Last Class Day and Last Day to Completely Withdraw | | | |

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|Week 17 Dec 14 | | | |

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|4:00-6:00 PM | | | |

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|#Presentations may vary from the above schedule due to student interest or comprehension | | | |

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|GRADE INQUIRIES | | | |

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|Student materials will be returned as soon as graded to the student. If the student has a question about a grade on an assignment, the student must bring| | | |

|the assignment to the professor. No grade inquiries about specific assignments will be explored without the questioned assignment. It is the student's | | | |

|responsibility to keep their materials. Final examinations and materials not picked up will be kept in my office for 30 days into the next semester. A | | | |

|student may pick up their final examination and other materials after grades are turned in for the semester until thirty days into the next semester. At | | | |

|that time, finals and all other material not claimed will be destroyed. | | | |

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|*Based on Dr. Kimberly DeTardo-Bora’s Theory Syllabus. | | | |

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