Criminology
CRJ 175-80 Spring 2015
St. Charles Community College
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Class:
Phone:
E-mail:
Kurt R. Woodfin
Mondays 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and by appointment
SSB 1104
SSB 1408; Monday (6:30 p.m. – 9:20 p.m.)
314-406-7438 cell (Please feel free to leave a message)
kwoodfin@stchas.edu
Required Text:
Siegel, Larry, Criminology: The Core, Fourth Edition, Thomson Wadsworth.
Course Description:
This course studies the various explanations of crime: classical, psychological, sociological, critical, and interactionist. It
examines the array of policy responses available to the system, including punishment by incarceration and other alternatives.
Course Objective:
The objectives of this course are to familiarize students with the various causes of crime and deviance at different levels of
explanation (Cultural, institutional, neighborhood, group, and individual). A strong emphasis will be place on the policy implications
for the various theories of crime. The class will focus on both classical and contemporary theories of crime. The students will
develop communication and critical thinking skills through lecture, writing, and class discussion. Students’ performances will be
measured through essay tests and a short paper. The tests and paper will measure students’ abilities to understand and communicate
the concepts presented in the course description and course objective.
Attendance, participation and preparation are mandatory. Exams are made up from lectures, class notes, and the text.
Students are only allowed to miss 6 hours of class. Any student who misses more days/hours than the above absence policy will
receive a failing grade for the class, unless the instructor approves the absences.
The exams will be primarily based on the lectures and the required text books. There are 3 multiple choice/essay exams.
Each test consists of approximately 60-65 multiple choice questions and 2 essay questions. Students are given the essay questions in
advance. The essay questions are attached to the end of this syllabus. It should be noted that the instructor will chose 1 essay question
the students must answer. The student will then pick 1 essay of the remaining 3 to answer.
No make-up exams will be given without a serious justification. (Proper documentation will be required) If an exam is going
to be missed, you MUST do the following to make-up the test:
1) Contact the instructor prior to missing the exam (if possible) If it is not possible, the student must
contact the instructor prior to the next class period.
2) Proper documentation must be secured (Medical doctor’s note, police report, death certificate,
etc.)
3) Students are to make-up the exam on the day they return to class
Failure to complete any of the above procedures will result in a zero for the test. Acceptance or denial of the excuse for
missing the exam and the proper documentation is at the complete discretion of the instructor.
Copious note taking is recommended. I have placed course notes on the Internet at http://woodfin.org/classes/criminology
to aid students in note taking. It is recommended that students print out the notes before coming to class and take notes on the
printouts. A lot of the material on the test is not covered in sufficient depth on the Internet notes. Therefore, it is strongly
recommended that students take notes. If you do not have a computer, then you can use the computers in the library to print the notes.
Paper
Students are expected to write a 3-4 page paper comparing and contrasting classical theory and the positivistic approach. The
paper is to be written in 12-point font, double spaced, and must have 1 inch margins. The paper is worth 100 points or 25 percent of
your grade. The paper is due on April 27rd, 2015 at the beginning of class. No late papers will be accepted.
Grading Scale and Grade Computation
The following grading scale will be used for the class:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
Grade Computation will be based on the following:
Test 1 is worth 100 points or 25% of your grade
Test 2 is worth 100 points or 25% of your grade
Test 3 is worth 100 points or 25% of your grade
Paper is worth 100 points or 25% of your grade
Total points for the class is 400 points
Finally, if you have any other concerns, please contact me at any time throughout the course.
Course Outline
Test One March 2nd
Chapters 1-5
Introduction
Classical theory
Routine Activities
Positivism
Biological (Lombroso, Goring, Sheldon, Genetics and Adoption studies, XYY, Biochemical, PMS)
Test Two April 13th
Chapters 5-6
Freud
Psychological Disorders (neurosis and psychosis)
Criminal personality (MMPI & CPI)
Sociopath
Durkheim and Merton, and Crime and the American Dream
Strain Theory (Cloward and Ohlin; and Cohen)
Lower class subculture (Miller)
Social Ecology/Social Disorganization
Test Three May 18th
Chapters 7-9
Social learning theory (Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Modeling/Imitation, Differential
Identification, Differential Association, and Learning Theory)
Control Theory (Containment theory, Hirschi/Social Bond)
Drift/Neutralization
Interactionist Perspective (labeling theory)
Radical Theory/Conflict
Course outline is subject to change at anytime
Miscellaneous
Students must refrain from talking during lectures, unless the class is engaging in class discussion.
Graded papers and exams will be returned to students as soon as is reasonably practical. Normally this will be within one week, but
could be longer in unusual circumstances.
Last day to drop and receive a “W” April 7 th, 2015
Last day to change from audit to credit/credit to audit February 17 th, 2015
Spring Break March 16th, 2015 to March 21st, 2015
Spring Holiday April 3rd , 2015 to April 4th, 20115
Test 1 Essay Questions
Discuss the objective of punishment in terms of pain and pleasure in classical theory. Be sure to incorporate the assumptions about
individuals in your answer. (4 points) List and discuss the three elements that are necessary to make punishment work. Be sure to
discuss the three elements in detail. (6 points) What is the ultimate goal of punishment in classical theory? (2 points) Finally, discuss
at least 3 policy implications of classical theory. In other words, if you wanted to stop or limit crime using classical theory, what
kinds of policies and laws would you pass? Be specific in your answer (6 points).
Define both crime and deviance. Give one example of each. (4 points) Is everything that is criminal also deviant and is deviant
behavior always criminal? Back up your answers (4 points)
Define social control. (2 points) Give an example of the following forms of social control: positive formal, positive informal, negative
formal and negative informal. (4 points) Define specific and general deterrence. (2 points) Discuss any two of the following
requirements of crime: criminal act, guilty mind, causation, and concurrence. (2 points)
Define and discuss the assumptions of positivism as covered in class. (8 points) Simply draw the
wheel of social science as discussed in class. (1 Point) Define and discuss what is meant by theory. (2 points) Discuss what is meant
by research methods. (2 points) Discuss what is meant by statistical methods (2 points). Define and briefly discuss policy. (3 points)
Finally, discuss how theory, research methods, statistical methods, and policy are related.
Discuss the assumptions about the structure and meaning of government in accordance with classical theory. (8 points) What is
meant by the law of criminal justice thermodynamics? (2 points) Define restrictive deterrence and discuss both probabilistic and
particularistic deterrence. (3 points) Discuss what is meant by territorial, functional, and tactical displacement. (3 points) Discuss the
policy implications of the biological theories. You can discuss some of the extreme policy implications, but your answer needs to
focus on the more practical policy implications. (2 points)
Test 2 Essay Questions
Discuss Emile Durkheim’s Anomie theory. Focus your answer on mechanical and organic societies. (4 points) Define anomie using a
minimum of 10 words. (2 points) What is the cause of crime? (1 point) Briefly discuss the four causes of anomie. (4 points) Merton
attempted to apply Durkheim’s anomie theory to the United States. Merton argues there is a disjuncture between the ________ and
the _________. Briefly clarify and explain the two concepts you filled in the preceding blanks. (2 points) Merton argues that people
adapted to this “strain” in five ways. Discuss each and give examples. (5 points)
In class, we discussed Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis. Freud was interested in the conscious and unconscious minds and their
affects on a person’s psychological make-up. Discuss in detail Freud’s three parts of the mind. (9 points) Furthermore, was Freud
interested in organic or functional disorders? (1 point) What is the difference between the two types of disorders? (2 points) In class,
we discussed personality tests. In particular, we discussed projection tests and personality inventories. Briefly discuss both types of
tests and give one example of a personality inventory test. (2 points) Briefly discuss the problems with personality tests (4 points)
Cloward and Ohlin’s strain theory focuses on different types of opportunity structures in society (legitimate and illegitimate). They
were concerned with blocked opportunity, and believed there is a gap between ____________ for success and the reality of getting it.
(2 points) Briefly explain the three types of subculture that form; be sure to include the name, type of activity and degree of
integration. (6 points) Cohen’s theory of delinquent subcultures is similar to Cloward and Ohlin’s theory. Briefly discuss the theory.
Focus your answer on social status, competition, the school system, the middle class measuring rod, and status frustration. (3 points)
As a result of the status-frustration one of three types of delinquent subcultures will form. List and briefly discuss each subculture. (3
points) Furthermore, his theory attempted to explain “non-utilitarian, malicious, and negativistic behavior. What does that phrase
mean? (1 point) According to Miller’s subculture theory, what is a focal concern? (1 point) List and discuss 3 focal concerns. (2
points)
The ultimate goal of psychological theories, especially theories involving personality disorders is to predict future ___________. (2
points) Discuss the policy implications of psychological theories. (3 points) In class we discussed six traits of a
sociopath/psychopath/antisocial personality disorder. In order to diagnosis somebody as a sociopath, any 3 of 6 criteria must be
present. Pick any three traits and briefly discuss each. (3 points) Briefly discuss the differences between neurosis and psychosis. (4
points) In class we discussed Crime and The American Dream. Briefly explain the problems that exist in the culture and social
structure. (3 points) The dominance of the economy manifests itself in three ways. Simply list the three ways. (3 points)
Test 3 Essay Questions
Social disorganization theory/social ecology/broken window theory argues crime is the result of how cities evolve over time. These
theorists are particularly interested in zone 2. Why? (7 points) Incorporate zone 1 into your answer. (2 points) Discuss the policy
implications of social disorganization theory. (2 points) According to neutralization or drift theory, people drift in and out of
conformity using linguistic devices called accounts. In class, we discussed excuses and justifications. Define both of them. (2 points)
What are the five techniques of neutralization? Discuss each technique. (5 points)
In class, we covered differential association. Discuss the major points of differential association. Be specific in your answer. (6
points) According to differential association, how is human nature viewed? (1 point) Briefly discuss the concepts “differential” and
“association”. (2 points) Discuss at least two policy recommendations based on differential association. (2 points) According to
operant conditioning, what are the purpose of reinforces and punishment. (2 points) In class we briefly discussed media’s relationship
to crime. First, list 3 examples of media. (3 points) Second, briefly explain the two possible relationships of the media and crime as
discussed in class. (2 points)
According to control theory/social bond theory/theory of conformity, there are four social bonds that criminologists should examine to
understand crime. The four social bonds are the following: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Discuss each in detail.
(8 points) According to control theory, people are which of the following: neutral, inherently good, or inherently evil. Discuss your
answer. (3 points) Discuss the various policy implications of control theory. (3 points) Define the concept of master status. (1 point)
Give three examples of a master status. (2 point) Also, briefly discuss the idea of retrospective interpretation. (2 points)
Labeling theory is a form of conflict theory that is interested in the effects of labels on subsequent deviant behavior. Discuss how the
label causes future deviant behavior. Be sure to include a discussion on the audience, individual, primary deviance, and secondary
deviance. (7 points) Discuss at least two policy implications of labeling theory. (2 points) In class, we discussed conflict/radical
theory. Describe the differences between the bourgeoisie and the proletarians. Discuss them in detail. (4 points) How can the
proletarians threaten the bourgeoisie? (2 points) Finally, discuss how the preceding groups relate to class-consciousness and the idea
of false consciousness. Be sure to include a definition for class-consciousness and false consciousness. (3 points)
Syllabus Addendum
Social Sciences
Spring 2015
Last day to change from credit to audit or audit to credit: February 17
Last day to drop and receive a “W”: April 7
Attendance: You should attend all class meetings for classes in which you are enrolled.
The college has no plan of recognized class ‘cuts’ or absences. You should attend all class meetings in which you are enrolled.
Excessive absence may be sufficient cause to fail the course. For distance classes, “attendance” will be defined as active participation
in the course as described in the individual course syllabus. The final decision as to what constitutes excessive absence from a class is
left to the instructor and will be outlined in the course syllabus. Students should discuss any absences with their instructor.
Campus Closings: For up-to-date information on closings due to inclement weather or other emergencies, call 636-922-8000, log on to
www.stchas.edu, Twitter, receive a text (if you signed up), or http://www.facebook.com/stchas.
Graded Papers and Exams: Graded papers and exams will be returned to students as soon as is
reasonably practical. Normally this will be within one week, but could be longer in unusual circumstances.
Instructional Goals: This class will provide an environment where the College’s goals for students in the areas of Critical Thinking,
Writing Across the Curriculum, and Computer Literacy are practiced. These will be utilized in a variety of ways throughout the
course.
Special Needs Accommodations:
We all have various channels through which we learn best. The Office of Accessibility Services is available to guide, counsel, and
assist students with disabilities. Please contact the Accessibility Services Manager, Paige George, at (636-922-8247) so that eligibility
for services can be determined. Additionally, the Accessibility Services Manager will provide a one-stop-shop to address 2-year plans
for degree completion and registration all in one place. Location is in Room 133 of the Student Center.
Safety Consideration after Night Classes: It is highly recommended that students park in the same designated lot, to be agreed upon
the first night class, and walk out together as a group when class is over. Although any students who wish to contact campus security
to walk them to their car may do so.
WHERE DO I GO FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT…?
Office Name/Department
Manager/Dean
Phone Number(s)
Academic and Student Affairs
Academic Divisions
Chris Breitmeyer
636-922-8358
636-922-8556,
8254 or 8398
Math, Science, Business, Computer Science & Physical
636-922-8496, 8531,
John Bookstaver
Education
8334 or 8216
Nursing and Allied Health
Amy Koehler
636-922-8280
Accessibility Services
Paige George
636-922-8581 or 8627
ACE Center
Stephanie Tolson
636-922-8444
Academic Advising
Jennifer Lansdowne 636-922-8241 or 8246
Assessment Center
Brian Legate
636-922-8629
Athletics Department
Chris Gober
636-922-8250
Behavioral Intervention Team
Beth Finders
636-922-8111
Bookstore
Pat Haynes
636-922-8448 or 8429
Box Office
Jean Deimund
636-922-8050
Campus Police (Department of Public Safety)
Bob Ronkoski
636-922-8545
Career Counseling
Martha Toebben
636-922-8241 or 8246
Child Development Center
Kathy Drews
636-922-8422
Corporate and Community Development/Continuing Education Amanda Sizemore
636-922-8233
Enrollment Services
Kathy Brockgreitens 636-922-8237
Financial Aid
Cassandra Hagan
636-922-8270
Fitness Center
Brenda Hollrah
636-922-8219
Food Service
Cougar Café
Pat Haynes
636-922-8602
Scooter's Place
Pat Haynes
636-922-8394
Foundation Office (Scholarships)
Betsy Schneider
636-922-8473
Help Desk (Computer/Internet)
Gayle Palmer
636-922-8555
International Student Coordinator
Michelle Killeen
636-922-8566
Learning Resource Center
Stephanie Tolson
636-922-8434
Mental Health Counselor
Christie Jackson
636-922-8571
Student Activities
Amanda Smith
636-922-8469
Student Success
Beth Finders
636-922-8536
Veteran Services Coordinator
Kylene Montgomery 636-922-8268
Welcome Center/Info Desk
Brynne Cramer
636-922-8400
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
◦Administration Building [ADM]
◦Café/Bookstore [CB]
◦Campus Services Building [CS]
◦Child Development Center [CDC]
◦College Center [CC]
◦Social Sciences Building [SSB]
◦Fine Arts Building [FAB]
Karen Jones
◦Humanities Building [HUM]
◦Learning Resource Center [LRC]
◦Student Center [SC]
◦Technology Building [TECH]
◦Visual Arts Building [VAB]
◦LU/SCC Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences [NAHS]
Building
& Room
SSB 2110
HUM 203
TECH 105
NAHS 102
SC 133
SSB 2201
ADM 1204
SC 133
CC 104
ADM 1242
CB
FAB
CS
ADM 1204
CDC
HUM 103
ADM 1113
ADM 1113
CC
CB
SC
SSB 2108
LRC 146
ADM 1113
LRC
ADM 1242
CC 102
ADM 1242
ADM 1204
ADM Atrium