Blinn College
Course Syllabus
1. Crime in America, CRIJ-1307-001, 10022, Monday and Wednesday 9:25-10:40am, Fall 2012
2. Professor Name:
Edwin Ueckert
Phone: (979) 830-4223
Office: #126 Bullock Bld., Brenham
e-mail:eueckert@blinn.edu
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am-9:00am, 3:00pm-4:00pm; Tuesday & Thursday
8:00am-9:00am, 1:30pm-2:30pm; Friday by appointment.
3. Course Description: American crime problems in historical perspective; social and policy
factors affecting crime; impact and crime trends; social characteristics of specific crimes:
prevention of crime.
4. Prerequisites: none
5. Core Course: This course is not a core curriculum course.
6. Measurable Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
Compare the Classical School of Criminology and the Positive School of
Criminology.
2.
Examine the following theories: social status; opportunities; social control;
containment and conflict theories.
3.
Relate the following theories to an explanation of crime: learning theories;
differential association theory and labeling theory.
4.
Define the nature and impact of crime has on society and what statistics tell us
about crime in America.
5.
Distinguish between delinquency, habitual criminals, career criminals, juvenile
gang, organized crime and white collar crime.
7. Required Materials:
Textbook: Criminology, Eleventh Edition, John e. Conklin
Classroom: Students should be prepared to take notes at any time (paper and writing device)
Examinations: Students are expected to provide Scantrons for scheduled examinations (Bring a
pencil)
8. Course Requirements:
The course may include but is not limited to the following:
1. Lectures; guest speakers from applicable criminal justice agencies; DVD’s; group
discussion; current events; assigned readings from textbook; handouts and supplemental
readings.
2. Completion of learning outcomes, exams, assigned coursework and participation in course
will provide students with a comprehensive view of the overall criminal justice system and
its components.
3. This course is a required freshman academic course transferable to a BA, BS, BAAS, or
BAT.
4. The successful completion of this course is required on the Coordinating Board approved
Field of Study in Criminal Justice Associates of Art curriculum.
9. Criteria for grading all assignments and determining final grade in the course:
Four major grades which may include but is not limited to the following:
1. Chapter examinations, research papers, projects, cumulative assignments or
skills/practical’s and comprehensive final examination.
Percentage
90 – 100
A
80 – 89
B
70 – 79
C
60 – 69
D
Below 60
F
2. Student participation points are at the discretion of the instructor but must be 10% of the
overall grade.
3. Comprehensive final must be 10%-30% of the overall grade.
10. Blinn College policies on civility; class attendance; scholastic integrity; students with
disabilities; final grade appeals; and electronic devices as stated in the Blinn College Student
Handbook, Faculty Handbook, Blinn College Catalog, and specific technical program handbooks.
A. Civility Statement: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff
and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn
College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should
commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates
concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community,
including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.
Civility Notification Statement: If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil
behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the
faculty member: it is the student's responsibility to arrange for this conference.
This statement reflects step one in a possible four step process. The Incivility Protocol is detailed
in the Blinn College Student Handbook. www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf
B. Attendance Policy: The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student
success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. A record
of attendance will be maintained from the first day of classes and/or the first day the student’s
name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of
unexcused absences during the semester, he or she will be sent an e-mail by the College District
requiring the student to contact his or her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to
discuss his/her attendance issues. Should the student accumulate two weeks’ worth of unexcused
absences, he or she will be administratively withdrawn from class.
There are four forms of excused absences recognized by the institution:
1. Observance of religious holy days - The student should notify his or her instructor(s) not later
Than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent
for any religious holy day(s);
2. Representing the College District at an official institutional function;
3. High school dual credit students representing the independent school district at an official
institutional function; and
4. Military service.
Other absences may be considered excused at the discretion of the faculty member with appropriate
documentation. A student enrolled in a developmental course is subject to College Districtmandated attendance policies. Failure to attend developmental classes shall result in removal from
the course as defined by the College District.
It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a class he or she is no longer attending. To
officially drop a class the student must obtain the class withdrawal form from Enrollment Services,
complete the class withdrawal form, secure the required signatures, and return the completed form
to Enrollment Services. The last day to drop this semester with a Q is November 16, 2012.
C. Scholastic Integrity.
Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or any other act of dishonesty with regard to
the course in which you are enrolled. The following text defines the faculty member’s
responsibility with regard to the scholastic integrity expectation for this and all courses at Blinn
College.
It is the responsibility of faculty members to maintain scholastic integrity at the College District by
refusing to tolerate any form of scholastic dishonesty. Adequate control of test materials, strict
supervision during testing and other preventive measures should be utilized, as necessary, to
prevent cheating or plagiarism. If there is compelling evidence that a student is involved in
cheating or plagiarism, the faculty member should assume responsibility and address the infraction.
Likewise, any student accused of scholastic dishonesty is entitled to due process as outlined in
Blinn College Board Policy FLB (Local). The Scholastic Integrity Policy is located in the Blinn
College Student Handbook, www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf. In a case of scholastic
dishonesty, it is critical that written documentation be maintained at each level throughout the
process.
D. Students with Disabilities.
Blinn College is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.
Support services for students with documented disabilities are provided on an individual basis,
upon request. Requests for services should be made directly to the Office of Special Populations
serving the campus of your choice. For the Bryan campus, the Office of Special Populations
(Administration Building) can be reached at (979)209-7251. The Brenham, Sealy and Schulenburg
campuses are served by the Office of Special Populations on the Brenham campus (Administration
Building Room 104) and can be reached at (979)830-4157. Additional information can be found at
www.blinn.edu/disability/index.html.
E. Final Grade Appeals Policy.
If a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a course, Blinn College Board Policy FLDB (Local),
Course Grade Complaints, outlines the timeline for the appeal and the four steps in the appeal. This
policy is located in the Blinn College Student Handbook,
www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf.
F. Electronic Devices.
All the functions of all personal electronic devices designed for communication and/or
entertainment (cell phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, and similar devices) must be turned off and kept
out of sight in all College District classrooms and associated laboratories. Any noncompliance with
this policy shall be addressed in accordance with the College District Civility Policy
(Administrative Policy). This information is contained in Blinn College Board Policy FLB (Local).
G. Make-up Examination Policy:
As a general rule, there will be no make-up exams. In the event an emergency arises, and the
student documents the emergency situation to the satisfaction of the instructor and notifies the
instructor in advance or immediately after the emergency subsides, the instructor may give a makeup exam. Your instructor will review each emergency situation separately, and evaluate the
circumstances appropriately at his/her discretion. However, any make-up exam allowed may be a
different form from that given to the rest of the class, and may be reduced up to 20%. The make-up
exam must be taken within the time frame established by the instructor or a failing grade will be
assigned for the exam.
11. Course Schedule:
The following is a tentative schedule of activities and examinations for the semester. The dates and
activities are subject to modifications. Any changes will be made with as much advanced notice as
possible.
Monday August 27th
Wednesday August 29th
Orientation & Pre-test
Chapter 1… The Study of Crime
Monday September 3th
Wednesday September 5th
Holiday
Chapter 2… Measuring Crime
Monday September 10th
Wednesday September 12th
Chapter 3…Crime and Its cost
Chapter 3
Monday September 17th
Wednesday September 19th
Chapter 4… Dimensions of Crime
Complete and review Section I
Monday September 24th
Wednesday September 25th
Examination Section I
Return section I exam, begin section II
Monday October 1st
Wednesday October 3rd
Chapter 5…Biological and Psychological Explanation
Chapter 6…Social, Cultural and Economic sources
Monday October 8th
Wednesday October 10th
Chapter 6
Chapter 7… Social Control and Commitment
Monday October 15th
Wednesday October 17th
Complete & review Section II
Section II Examination
Monday October 22nd
Wednesday October 24th
Chapter 8… Learning to Commit Crime
Chapter 8
Monday October 29th
Wednesday October 31st
Chapter 9…Opportunities and Facilitating Factors
Chapter 9
Monday November 5th
Wednesday November 7th
Chapter 10…Criminal Career
Chapter 11…The Organization of Criminal Behavior
Monday November 12th
Wednesday November 14th
Complete and review section III
Section III Examination
Monday November 19th
Wednesday November 21st
Chapter 12…Community Reactions to Crime
Thanksgiving Vacation
Monday November 26th
Wednesday November 28th
Chapter 13…The Criminal Justice System
Chapter 14…Deterrence, Incapacitation, Retribution
Monday December 3rd
Wednesday December 5th
Class Presentations
Class Presentations
Monday December 10th
Review for Final
The Final Examination will be given according to Blinn College Final Exam Schedule…the
closest corresponding time will be used. The time the final will be administered is…..
Final Examination Friday, December 14th beginning at 8:00am (8:00am-10:00pam)
Students must be present at beginning of testing period, no make-ups will be given.