COURSE SYLLABUS
ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY
CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3160: White Collar Crime
Spring 2006
Section: 1 (MWF 1:30 - 2:20 a.m.)
INSTRUCTOR: BECKY KOHLER da CRUZ, J.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Law
OFFICE: UH 219
OFFICE HOURS:
PHONE: 921-7407 E-MAIL: dacruzbe@mail.armstrong.edu
MWF 9-10 am or by Appointment
PREREQUISITE:
CRJU 1100
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Nature, scope, and impact of white collar, corporate, and organized crime on the individual and
American society.
COURSE RATIONALE:
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of white
collar/corporate crime in America. The increased attention given white-collar crime has
presented unique issues for the criminal justice system. This course exposes students to
nontraditional violent and nonviolent crimes that have significant physical, fiscal, and
social costs. The study of white-collar crime has challenged commonly accepted
explanations of crime and has introduced new complexities at all levels of the criminal
justice system; including, widespread victimization, difficulties in crime discovery,
ambiguous legal definitions, corporate and individual deterrence, and disparity in
sanctioning.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:




Define white collar crime and identify crimes normally recognized as white collar
Identify and apply methods and techniques of investigating white collar crime
Assess the causes and social impact of white collar crime
Describe and evaluate ways to prevent white collar crime
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Stephen M. Rosoff, Henry N. Pontell, & Robert H. Tillman (2004) Profit without Honor:
White-collar crime and the Looting of America (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Bethany McLean & Peter Elkind (2004). The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing
Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron. New York: Penguin Group.
CLASS FORMAT:
It is essential that the readings for each lecture be completed in advance since the lectures will
utilize the readings as “take-off” points for further discussion and analysis. Your participation in
this course will be drawn out in the form of question and answer dialogs between the instructor
and the students.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to be present for all scheduled classes – in body and mind – as you are
responsible for all information not only in the textbook but also what is presented in class.
Notify the instructor of your absence only on exam days. Absences will be considered justified
and excusable only in cases of emergencies, serious illness or death in the immediate family in
which case the exam may be made up (see below). If you miss a class, get the lecture notes
from a classmate.
CLASS CONDUCT:
Students are expected to treat others with respect and dignity at all times. Any behavior, which
is disruptive to the learning environment, is strictly prohibited. Beepers and cell phones disrupt
the class, they need to be operated in silent mode or turned off. If you are disrupting the
lecture, you will be removed from the classroom.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
1/06/06
Introduction to the Course
Week #1
Ch. 1 – Introduction to White-Collar Crime
Presentation: Imclone/Stewart Case Study
Week #2
Ch. 2 – Crimes Against Consumers
Presentation: Production & Sale of Tobacco Case Study
Week #3
Ch. 3 – Unsafe Products
Presentation: Ford Pinto Case Study
Presentation: Film Recovery Case Study
Week #4
Ch. 4 – Environmental Crime
Presentation: Exxon Valdez & Prince William Sound Case Study
Week #5
Ch. 5 – Institutional Corruption: Mass Media and Religion
Presentation: Televangelist Jim Bakker Case Study
Week #6
Ch. 6 – Securities Fraud
Presentation: Michael Milken S&L Case Study
Presentation: Adelphia Case Study
Week #7
Midterm
Week #8
Ch. 7 – Corporate Fraud
Presentation: Microsoft case study
Presentation: Tyco Case Study
Week #9
Ch. 8 – Fiduciary Fraud: Crime in Banking, Insurance, and Pension Fund
Industries
Presentation: Revco Medicaid Fraud Case Study
Week #10
Ch. 9 – Crimes by the Government
Presentation: The Watergate Case Study
Week #11
Ch. 10 – Corruption of Public Officials
Presentation: Joe Valachi of Cosa Nostra & Carl Kotchian of Lockheed
Week #12
Ch. 11 – Medical Crime
Presentation: Locate case(s) involving doctors, pharmacists, etc. i.e.
Pharmasist Robert Courtney of Kansas City, MO diluting cancer drugs
or doctors performing unnecessary surgeries, etc.
Week #13
Ch. 12 – Computer Crime
Presentation: Locate case(s).
Book Review Due
Week #14
Ch. 13 – Conclusions
Discussion of “The Smartest Guys in the Room”
Week #15
Final
**Additional readings and handouts will also be assigned and current events will be
discussed in class.
EVALUATION METHODS:
1. Presentations: Each student will present a fully researched account of a white-collar
crime event which will describe the actions involved, the investigation/prosecution of the
crime, and costs/affects on society. Students need to provide analysis by applying the
offense to our readings, and provide your opinion. Visual aids, such as transparencies
and handouts, are advised.
2. Examinations: Each student will take an in-class, non-comprehensive Midterm and
Final exams.
3. Book Review: Each student must read “The Smartest Guys in the Room: The
Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron” by Bethany McLean & Peter Elkind.
The review paper should be in-depth, thoughtful papers, approximately 10-12
pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. The paper should consist of an
introduction, summary of the book, and application of concepts learned in class.
Be sure to address how this book provides insight to white-collar offenses. In
addition to this paper, there will be an in-depth class discussion regarding this
book. Students will be expected to address in detail the major points of this work
and its contribution to our understanding of the biggest bankruptcy case in U.S.
history. You must make it clear you have read this book and given this book
thoughtful consideration.
FINAL GRADE STANDARDS:
Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 points
Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . 100 points
Midterm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 points
Final. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 points
350 points
You can earn a maximum of three hundred fifty (350) points in this course. The approximate
letter and numerical equivalents are as follows:
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points
350-315
315-280
280-245
245-210
210-0
Percent
90-100%
80-90%
70-80%
60-70%
below 60%
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Students are expected to take exams and turn in their assignments on their assigned dates. Late
book reviews WILL NOT be accepted for any reason. You will receive a (0) zero if you are
absent for your presentation. If you fail to take an exam on the designated date, your grade on the
make-up exam will be reduced by 10 percent (1 letter grade). A make-up exam will ONLY be
given when advance notice is provided to the instructor by the student who has good reason for
not taking the exam on the dedicated date or if the student has an extreme emergency. In no
event will a make-up exam be given 1 week after the date in which it was given or upon the
student’s return from the emergency.
EXTRA CREDIT POLICY:
Do not count on any extra credit in this course. You are expected to learn the core material as
assigned. IF any extra credit is offered during the semester, it must be completed on or before
the last day of class - it will not be accepted during exam week.