Sociology 383
Fall Semester 2011
Section 1: B030 JFSB on T at 04:30 pm - 07:00 pm
Instructor: Bert Burraston
Office: 2035 JFSB
Office Hours: T – Th 2:00-2:50
Office Phone: 801 422-1692
Email: bert_burraston@byu.edu
Texts & Materials
Required
DELINQUENCY IN SOCIETY 8E W/ACCESS PKG
By REGOLI
ISBN: 9780763794880
Delinquency in Society (7th)
By Regoli and Hewitt
ISBN: 978-0-07-340154-6
McGraw Hill (2006)
You are expected to read carefully the assigned readings. The
text presents the field in a systematic manner so that I, as the
instructor, can elaborate and amplify those areas of particular
interest to me. Areas that have been adequately covered in the
text or areas in which I have less interest may receive less
treatment in lecture. Lectures will not always cover the same
material as the readings, but will follow the general outline of
the text.
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Description
In this course we will examine the nature of delinquent behavior, some basic facts about selected types of
delinquent behavior, the major theories of the causes of delinquency, and society's responses to
delinquency. The possible exam essay items at the end of the syllabus represent the specific learning
objectives for this course.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Attendance Policy
I will not take attendance but strongly advise you to attend class.
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
BC+
C
C-
D+
D
DE
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
Point Breakdown
Assignments
Points
Exam 1
200
Exam 2
200
67-69
63-66
60-62
59 and lower
Assignments
Points
Paper 1: Sociological Imagination and
College
25
Paper 2:
25
Paper 3
50
Paper 4
125
Peer Review of Paper 4
25
Daily Responce
100
Total Points
750
Assignment Descriptions
Paper 1: Sociological Imagination and College: :
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his assignment is worth 25 points. Using the Sociological Imagination, in about 2 pages compare
both the macro and micro events from your life that lead you to attend college with those from
someone in a different social class. It is ok to use the life of a fictional character or a friend
rather than your own. Macro factors include the political, economic, and cultural climate as well
as historic and world events. Micro factors include your family, peers, and other close personal
relationships such as teachers and/or counselors. Remember part of the sociological imagination
is to put one’s life into historical context. Connect your experience with the class material. In
writing this paper here are some question you should address:
How does family influence the decision (remember to included social class)?
Did most of your peers go on to college? Why or why not?
What types of jobs did your friend’s parents have?
What community factors had an influence? For example, what was the labor market like in your
community?
What international and national factors influenced you?
What major world events or world trends have influenced you directly or indirectly?
Paper 2: :
What do you think is the most important issue facing adolescents today? In the paper please
describe what the issue is, why you think is important, and briefly how sociology can help us understand
the issue. This paper should be 1 to 2 pages long (25 points).
Mock Trial and Paper 3: :
On Monday November 21 we are going on a field Trip to The federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City to
participate in a mock trial. The mock trial starts at 6:00pm and typically finished at by 8:30. We will be
driving BYU vans to and from the trial.
On Monday, November 21 you are required to be jurors in mock criminal trials presented by BYU law
students.
Those that are driving in the BYU vans need to be ready to leave the motor pool by 4:30 p.m. The trials
will be
held at the federal courthouse at 350 S Main, Salt Lake City. Please arrive by 5:30 p.m. so you have time
to check through security and find your assigned courtroom by 5:45 p.m. The judge presiding in your
courtroom will give you instructions. After participating as a juror in the mock trial, write a 2-4 page paper
(50 points) in which you do the following:
1. Describe the key facts of the case.
2. State the jury’s decision and explain their reason for the decision.
3. Evaluate the court system from your experience.
4. Explain what you learned from your experience
Paper 4 Research Paper: :
The final paper is to be a research paper on your choice of deviant topic. This paper will be worth
approximately 125 points, should be 8-10 pages in length, and you should use the American Sociological
Association (ASA; a derivative of APA), or American Psychological Association (APA) style. Improperly
prepared papers will be docked points. This final paper assignment is intended to get you into the
professional Sociology and criminology literature. Thus, the worldwide-web (i.e. non-peer reviewed
journals), newspapers, and magazines (including Psychology Today, Time, and the Ensign) cannot be
used for this assignment. Instead use professional journals articles (peer reviewed articles); several of
these journals are listed at the end of the syllabus and will be posted on Blackboard. If you feel a need to
use a popular press article you will have to write a one page paper justifying its use. You may use articles
cited in the text, but you should also read and include articles that are not discussed there. At least some
of the articles must be recent articles, published within the last few years (2008-2011). Your final paper
should include a minimum of 8 peer reviewed articles. Note minimum work is not 'A' or even 'B' level
work. In order to receive an ‘A’ your paper must have a clear thesis statement, be well thought out, well
organized, and have at least 15 peer reviewed articles.
This is a research paper. Pick a topic within crime and deviance that you want to learn more about. Write
a research question and then search the sociological literature to see what we know and do not know on
the topic (the literature review will be the bulk of your research paper). Then based on what we know and
do not know on your topic discuss what further research should be done in order to further our
understanding or what social policies should be implemented. Use the article by White (2005) as guide to
your final research paper. The paper is due in class Wednesday 12/1 and should be about 8-10 pages (of
text) and should included the following:
·
Title page – title, name & affiliation
·
Abstract (100 words or less)
·
Paper (intro, lit review, discussion and references). This portion of the paper should be around 8
pages.
Peer Review of Research Paper::
This final paper is to be peer-reviewed. There are 2 ways to receive the 25 points for peer review. The
first is to take your paper to FHSS’s writing center and have them review it with you. Have the writing
center send me a note saying they reviewed your paper. The second way to receive the 20 points for
peer review is to give your paper to at least two other people for comments. Then write me a letter
(approximately one full page) indicating how you have changed the paper in light of the comments you
received.
FHSS Writing Lab: To get help with your paper’s organization, structure, focus, tone, and documentation
style, you can go to the FHSS Writing Lab in 1051 JFSB to meet one-on-one with a peer advisor. All
advisors are students from our college and are trained in APA and ASA. To prepare for a tutorial, take:
·
a copy of the assignment
·
a hard copy of your draft, whatever stage it may be in
·
a list of questions and concerns you have about your paper
Drop in or make an appointment: Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
For more information, go to http://fhsswriting.byu.edu or email: fhss-writinglab@byu.edu
Reading Journal of Daily Written Response (100 point for 20 Responses)::
The purpose of the daily reading responses is to encourage students to read the assigned chapters
before coming to class. This will facilitate class discussion and participation. Responses do not have to be
long (approximately ½ to one page) and should demonstrate that you have read the assigned material.
Do not simply summarize the information in the chapter; rather, focus on the points in the chapter that
interested you most and explain why they interest you. (Some questions you might consider when writing
your responses are: Do I agree with the conclusions in the chapter? What are the implications of the
theories presented? How do the ideas in the chapter relate to observations and experiences from my own
life? Do the theories help provide an explanation for current world events?) You will turn in your
responses in the form of a journal the week after exam one and the last day of class.
Course Schedule
Date
Topics
Assignments
T - Aug 30
Introductions & Defining Delinquency
Chapter 1 Regoli et.al 2008
T - Sep 6
Measuring Delinquency & Theories of
Delinquency
Chapters 2, 5, & 6 Regoli et.al 2008
(Chapters 2,3,& 4 Regoli et.al 2010)
Theories of Delinquency
Chapter 7, & 8 Regoli et.al 2008; &
paper 1 due
(Chapters 5,6,& 7 Regoli et.al 2010)
Theories of Delinquency
Chapter 9 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter 8
Regoli et.al 2010)
See journal articles for this week on
blackboard
Violent Youth Crime
Chapter 3 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter 11
Regoli et.al 2010); Also see journal
articles for this week on blackboard; &
Paper 2 due
Illegal drug use
Chapter 4 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter 11
Regoli et.al 2010)
Also see journal articles for this week on
blackboard
Illegal drug use
See journal articles for this week on
blackboard; Midterm October 12-18
The Family
Chapter 10 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter 9
Regoli et.al 2010); Also see journal
articles for this week on blackboard
Schools
Chapter 11 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter
10 Regoli et.al 2010);
Also see journal articles for this week on
blackboard
Peers & Gangs
Chapter 12 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter
12 Regoli et.al 2010);
Also see journal articles for this week on
blackboard
Police
Chapter 13 Regoli et.al 2008 (Chapter
13 Regoli et.al 2010);
Also see journal articles for this week on
blackboard
The Courts & Juvenile Corrections
Chapters 14 & 15 Regoli et.al 2008
(Chapter 13 Regoli et.al 2010)
Mock Trial
-
Prevention
Chapter 14 Regoli et.al 2010; Paper 3
due
Review for Final
Paper 4 due
T - Sep 13
T - Sep 20
T - Sep 27
T - Oct 4
T - Oct 11
T - Oct 18
T - Oct 25
T - Nov 1
T - Nov 8
T - Nov 15
M - Nov 21
T - Nov 29
T - Dec 6
Librarian Information
Name: Barbaraella Frazier
Office: 1222 HBLL
Phone Number: 422-6346
Email: b_frazier@byu.edu
Reference Desk Information
Name: Social Sciences / Education
Phone Number: 422-6228
Email: No library information available
Hours: M-Th : 8am-9pm; F: 8am-6pm; Sat: 10am-6pm
Department Research Information
http://guides.lib.byu.edu/content.php?pid=59860
E-reserve Information
http://www.lib.byu.edu/reserve.html
BYU Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their
academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own
must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing
grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to
adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others
and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own
expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor
Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Preventing Sexual Discrimination and Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an
educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex
discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and studentto-student sexual harassment. BYU's policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of
the university, but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based
discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 3675689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.
Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably
accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability
to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office
(422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified,
documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If
you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of
disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the
Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.