CCJ 4934: Biosocial Criminology
Spring 2015
Section: 3329
Tuesday: 10:40 – 11:30 AM & Thursday 10:40-12:35 in MAT 108
Instructor: Elise T. Costa
Office Hours: Monday 12-2 and Thursday 1-2 & by appointment
Email: Ecosta22@ufl.edu
Note: All email correspondence must be through the email address listed above. Please do not email me through
Sakai/E-learning. You can expect a response within 24 hours on business days. When there is a deadline (i.e. a
paper or test), emails must be sent at least 48 hours before or I may not have enough time to respond.
Course Description:
Biosocial criminology examines the biological underpinnings of antisocial behavior and considers the interaction
between biological influences and environmental influences. While modern criminological texts minimally
reference biological influences, recent research has demonstrated that a suite of human behaviors is influenced by
genetic factors to some degree. This course will familiarize students with various areas within biosocial
criminology including but not limited to: behavioral genetics, molecular genetics, the brain, and pre- and perinatal
environmental factors. Additionally, this class will explore theoretical integration of biosocial criminology into
criminology and prevention options. Previous foundation in biology is not required; all basic information necessary
for success will be discussed in the class.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, you will:
 Explain the differences between biological and biosocial criminology and classical criminology.
 Understand of biological concepts that are relevant to criminology.
 Understand various of research areas and methods within biosocial criminology
 Develop critical thinking skills for evaluating research articles and be familiar with biosocial research and
findings.
 Understand theoretical integrations of biosocial variables into mainstream criminology.
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Textbooks:
Required:
1. Beaver, Kevin M. Biosocial Criminology: A Primer. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2009. (ISBN-13: 9780757558764)
2. Beaver, K. M., Barnes, J. C., & Boutwell, B. B. (Eds.). (2014). The Nurture Versus Biosocial Debate in
Criminology. SAGE. (ISBN-13: 978-1452242255)
Course Requirements:
All dates for each category can be found on the Schedule on the last two pages.
Exams: (25% each, 75% of total grade/100 points each, 300 points total)
There will be three exams in this course. The exams will be on February 10th, March 17th, and April 21st. Exams
will have questions from lecture (including guests), class discussion, and readings. All class materials are fair
game, including handouts. Makeup exams will be determined at my discretion. I expect documentation for
medical or family emergencies. I will not accept other excuses because exams are during class time; therefore, you
should not have any time discrepancies/conflicts. In the event that you have a conflict with a test day, please notify
me through email as soon as possible. Makeup exams will not be the same as the in-class exam (they will likely be
in essay format). If I am not contacted by the day/time of the exam with an acceptable excuse for why you are
missing the exam, you will NOT be allowed to take a make up exam. Documentation must be provided prior to
scheduling the make-up exam, and the make-up exam must be taken within 2 weeks of the exam date. Make-up
exams will occur during my office hours, unless you have another class schedule during my office hours.
Article Summary/Evaluation: (20% of total grade, 80 points)
There will be three article discussion days in the semester: February 5th, March 12th, April 16th. On January
13th, there will be a sign up sheet in class. You sign up for one of the three days. You will be assigned a specific
research article that you are expected to evaluate and come to class prepared to discuss that article on your assigned
day. You will have a rubric provided to you that explains my expectations for this paper. These three research days
will provide you the opportunity to learn about important biosocial research, while only having to do an in-depth
analysis one of them during the semester. Your paper will include an article summary, a critical analysis, and
future directions. It is expected to be at least 5 pages. Paper should be 1” margins, Times New Roman, 12 point
2
font, 0 spacing before or after, no extra space after paragraphs. To receive full credit, you must be present on the
day of your scheduled presentation. You will only receive a maximum of half credit if you are not present. To
receive full credit, you must provide me with a hard copy of your typed article evaluations and be present to add to
the discussion the in class. In addition to the hard copy submitted in class, you will be expected to submit your
paper on Sakai to be run through turnitin.com to check for plagiarism. The time stamp of the submission must be
by 10:30am the day your presentation is scheduled (due right before class starts). If it is not time stamped by that
time, it will be marked late. Rubric is available on Sakai.
Attendance/Participation (5% of total grade, 20 points)
In regards to attendance, I will take attendance 5 times in the semester. To receive the full 20 points, you must be
present for 4 of them. Simply showing up will not earn you full attendance points. Attendance will be taken in the
form of in class activities and pop-quizzes. If you are absent on an attendance day, you can have one unexcused
absences in the semester without any points being lost. For each class you miss after the one “freebie,” you will be
docked 5 points. The dates are predetermined at the beginning of the semester. If you know you are going to miss
class, please let me know ahead of time through email in the event it is an attendance day; if I am not notified prior
to class time with an excuse I approve as valid, you will be considered absent and lose the points. If you are
present for all five times I take attendance, you can drop the lowest score and you will receive 5 points extra credit.
Policy Discussing Grades:
You must earn the number of points listed in the range & that is your grade. There are 5 points of extra credit
opportunities built into the course for you to boost your grade (and other opportunities may come up). If you
disagree with the grade you earned or think I made a mistake on any graded assignment/exam, come to my office
hours and I will be happy to discuss your grade with you. Also, you may come discuss how to improve your grade
for future assignments (I want everyone to succeed, so I strongly encourage coming to discuss this!). NOTE: There
is a two-week window to discuss any graded assignment/exam from when I hand it back.
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Grading Scale:
Percentage
Grade
Points Break
Down
A
371-400
93-100%
A359-370
90-92%
B+
347-358
87-89%
B
331-346
83-86%
B319-330
80-82%
C+
307-318
77-79%
C
291-306
76-73%
C279-290
70-72%
D+
267-278
67-69%
D
251-266
63-66%
D239-250
60-62%
E
238 or less
<60%
Policy on Late Assignments:
Assignments will be accepted late but will have a penalty. Per calendar day late, there will be a 10% deduction in
your grade.
Classroom Conduct:
Please be respectful of your other classmates and the learning atmosphere as a whole. Refrain from having private
conversations, usage of your cell phone, reading material for other course, etcetera during class time because it will
affect the productivity of your classmates. If you choose not to come prepared, at least follow the above mention so
you are not a distraction to those who desire to learn; however, keep in mind that you will not receive your
participation points. It is important to arrive on time; if you know you will not be able to make it on time, please
email me ahead of time. I do not allow any electronics in my class of any form (no laptops, cell phones, mp3
players, tablets, or any other electronic device I did not mention). The only exception to this is pre-approved
accommodations from the Dean of Students.
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UF Policies
University Policy on Accommodating Students with Disabilities:
Students requesting accommodation for disabilities must first register with the Dean of Students Office
(http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/). Documentation will be given to the students who register & it is your responsibility
to provide me with this documentation. Documentation must be submitted prior to any assignments.
Accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, if you do not turn documentation in prior to assignments, I will not
go back and make accommodations for past assignments, only future assignments.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University community. Please make sure you are
aware of the policies in the UF Student Honor Code at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/honorcode.php. Ignorance is
not an excuse in regards to academic honesty. Please make sure you educate yourself on university policies.
In order to maintain the integrity of your education and degree, cheating and/or plagiarism or any other academic
misconduct issues are taken very seriously. To remind yourselves of the importance of academic honesty, please
write the following statement on anything that is submitted in this class: “On my honor, I have neither given nor
received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” (Note: 5% will be docked if you do not include this)
However, if academic misconduct occurs, student will be taken to Judicial Affairs for them to handle. Cheating on
an exam will result in a 0 on the exam and it will be taken to honor court. Plagiarism will be handled on a case-bycase basis depending on the percentage returned from turnitin.com. You will be called into my office or held after
class to discuss the case. You will either be asked to re-do the assignment, take a 0 on the assignment or taken to
honor depending on the severity.
End of Semester Evaluations:
“Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10 criteria. These
evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or
three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of
these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results.”
Final Remarks:
Please note that this syllabus is subject to change, including dates. I will give you warning if anything changes.
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Week Day
1
T
R
Reading(s)
Date
1/6
1/8
Topic(s)
Syllabus Day
What is biosocial criminology?
T
1/13
Biology Intro for Social Science
R
1/15
Go over rubric for article evaluation
Behavioral Genetics Intro
3
T
R
1/20
1/22
Behavioral Genetics Methods
Behavioral Genetics Research
Ch 2 pages 38-50
1. Burt & Simons (2014) & 2. Barnes et al
(2014)
4
T
R
1/27
1/29
Molecular Genetics Intro
Molecular Genetics: GxE Interactions
Ch 2 pages 50, 62-69 (Primer)
Ch 3 (up to page 102) (Primer)
5
T
R
2/3
2/5
Exam Review
1 Article Discussion Day
None
Have all ABSTRACTS read
6
T
R
2/10
2/12
Exam 1
Brain
None
Ch 4 (Primer)
7
T
R
2/17
2/19
Brain Research
Environmental Biosocial Variables (Per
& Perinatal)
Ch 5 pg 157-174 (Primer)
2
st
6
None
1. Ch1 (Primer), 2. Gibson & Costa, 2014
(Biosocial perspective)
1. Ch 2 pages 51-61 (Primer) 2.Wright &
Boisvert (2009)
Ch 2 pages 33-38 (Primer)
Moffitt, 2011
8
T
2/24
R
2/26
Environmental Biosocial Variables
(Infancy and Childhood)
Catch up day
9
T
R
3/3
3/5
NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK
NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK
10
T
R
3/10
3/12
Exam Review
2 Article Discussion Day
T
R
3/17
3/19
Exam 2
Theory: Moffitt’s Dual Taxonomy
T
R
3/24
3/26
TBA
Theory: Social Learning & Self Control
13
T
R
3/31
4/2
Theory: Strain
Theory: Cumulative Plasticity
Ch 11-12 (N v. N)
Belsky & Pluess, 2009
14
T
R
4/7
4/9
Catch up day
Policy Implications
1. Ch 8 (primer), 2. Ch 25-26 (N v. N)
T
R
4/14
4/16
Exam Review
3rd Article Discussion Day
Have all ABSTRACTS read
T
4/21
Exam 3
11
12
15
16
nd
7
1. Ch 5 pg 174-179 (primer)
2. Ch 17 & 18 (N v. N)
Have all ABSTRACTS read
1. Moffitt, 1993
2. Barnes, Beaver & Boutwell, 2011
1. Ch 7-8 (N v. N), 2. Gibson & Costa, 2014
(Self-control theory)
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