PSYCHOLOGY 463: Criminal Behavior
Spring 2009
Instructor: Christine H. Reed, Ph.D.
Psych Department Main #: 213-740-2203
Office Hours: After Class or by appointment
Email: holberg@usc.edu
Teaching Assistant: Dave Pan
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Description:
This course will provide an overview of the scientific and applied aspects of the field of criminal behavior.
Readings will encompass theory and research from a variety of academic disciplines including psychology,
sociology, psychiatry, criminal justice, neuropsychology, genetics and psychophysiology. Particular emphasis will
be placed on origins of criminal behavior, aggression, psychopathy, crime and mental disorders, homicide, and
sexual assault. Applied empirical research on issues important to the legal system will be discussed as well. The
final portion of the course will focus on prediction, intervention, and treatment of delinquency and criminal
behavior.
Lecture Method:
Class meeting will involve lectures, multimedia presentations, and self-guided class exercises. Outline of lecture
notes, key concepts and illustrations will be available on the course webpage through Blackboard “course
documents” (https://blackboard.usc.edu/). The posted slides on Blackboard will not necessarily be identical to
those presented during lectures. Therefore, attending lectures on regular basis will be critical to success in the
course.
Required Readings:
Bartol, C. R., and Bartol, A. M. (2008). Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach (8th Edition). Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
The required text is available at the Trojan Bookstore. Additional reading will be provided in class or posted on
Blackboard course website.
Evaluation:
Examinations: There will be four non-cumulative multiple-choice exams. All exams will be weighted equally,
including the final exam. Most of the material in the exams is covered in the textbook. The rest will be based on
information presented in lectures including handouts, videos, and guest speakers. It is important that you show up
for all exams on time as no late students will be allowed to take an exam following any student’s departure from
the exam room. Please bring Scantron form, and a #2 pencil with good eraser to the exam. Each exam will be
worth 50 points.
Makeup Policy: There will be no make up examinations in this course. If you miss an examination, you will
receive a score of zero on that exam. Exceptions to this policy will only be considered in the event of a serious,
unavoidable emergency (e.g. medical emergency). If you miss an exam you must contact the professor within 24
hours of the exam by telephone, and written proof of a serious emergency (e.g. letters from doctor, copy of police
accident report) will be required for an excuse ultimately to be considered.
Attendance: Come to class. You are responsible for all materials presented in the lectures and the readings as
well as guest speakers. Please come to class on time. Announcements are made and hand-outs are distributed
at the beginning of class and it is your responsibility to make sure that you hear and receive them.
Attendance is mandatory and counts towards your grade. Attendance is worth at total possible 20 points
(approximately 9%) towards your final grade. Exceptions to this policy are excused absences due to illness
with a verifiable doctor’s note. Religious holidays will be excused absences, but you must inform the
Professor of the holiday/date that you will be absent within the first two weeks of class in order for it to be
excused. You will be awarded points for attendance based on the following scale:
1 absence or less
2 absences
3 absences
4 absences
5 or more absences
20 points
15 points
10 points
5 points
0 points
Films: A number of documentary films will be shown throughout the course of the semester. These films are
linked to weekly topics and they will be drawn upon for assignments and exams. It is not possible to reschedule
missed films for later showings. The films are not available in reserve or take home viewing; however, they may
be available at local or online video stores, as well as university and public libraries. You are responsible for
finding the films that you miss in the class. The films are mostly rated R and may include strong language and
graphic scenes of death, torture, rape, and violence.
Extra-Credit/Field Trips: Several opportunities for extra credit will be made available to those you choose to
participate. These opportunities will include watching specified videos about material relevant to this course and
writing reaction papers, participating in relevant on and off-campus activities. You may also have the opportunity
to take part in several off-campus field trips. Each extra credit opportunity will be worth 2 possible points added
to your final grade. You may participate in 3 extra credit opportunities for a total of 6 points. The opportunity to
sign-up for these activities will be provided to you later in the semester.
Grades: The final letter grade will be based on the four exams and any extra credit point you have earned
throughout the semester. Exams will emphasize readings as well as lecture and guest speaker material. Your final
grade is independent of other students’ performances and not based on a curve.
A
AB+
B
B-
206 - 220
198 - 205
191 - 204
184 - 190
176 - 183
C+
C
CD
F
169 – 175
162 – 168
154 – 161
111 – 153
110 or below
Disclaimers:
Academic Misconduct: Academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized collaboration,
falsifying academic records) will not be tolerated. Students found in any act of academic dishonesty will be
prosecuted in accordance with the Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards of the University of
Southern California. Possible consequences for academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: “F” in the
course, permanent notation on transcript, and suspension or expulsion from the university.
Students with Disabilities: The University of Southern California provides academic accommodations for
students with disabilities. Students requesting academic accommodations are required to register with Disability
Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. DSP will review your concerns and determine, with you, what
accommodations are necessary and appropriate. Please notify me of your eligibility and I will work with you to
ensure that accommodations are made. DSP is located in Student Union 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Tentative Schedule of Topics and Readings
Date
Jan. 15
Jan. 22
Jan. 29
Feb. 5
Feb. 12
Feb. 19
Feb. 26
Mar. 5
Mar. 12
Mar. 19
Mar. 26
Apr. 2
Apr. 9
Apr. 16
Apr. 23
Apr. 30
May 7
Lecture Topic
Introduction
Film: “The Plea”
Risk Factors Part One
Risk Factors Part Two
Origins: Biological Factors Part I
Film: “Aileen Wournos”
Reading Assignment
Origins: Biological Factors Part II
Ch. 3
Exam One
Origins: Learning Factors
Film: “Children are Watching”
Human Aggression
Criminal Psychopathy Criminal Psychopathy
Film: to be Determined
Mental Disorders and Crime
Film: “The New Asylums”
Exam Two
Homicide
Assault & Family Violence
Multiple Murder
Film: “The Iceman Interview”
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Spring Break: No Class!
Terrorism
Film: “Terror from Within”
Sexual Offenses
Exam Three
Violent Economic Crime
Film: “Bus 174”
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Property & Public Order Crime
Ch. 14
Substance Abuse
Film: “The Meth Epidemic”
Prevention: Juvenile Offenders
Film: “When Kids Get Life”
The Correctional System
Film: “California Prisons Under Pressure”
Final Exam
Ch. 15
Ch. 16
Ch. 17
Ch. 18