University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Curriculum Proposal Form #3
New Course
Effective Term:
2137 (Fall 2013)
Subject Area - Course Number: Sociology
Cross-listing:
(See Note #1 below)
Course Title: (Limited to 65 characters)
475
25-Character Abbreviation:
Criminological Theory
Sponsor(s):
Ronald Berger, Larry Neuman, and Greg Jeffers
Department(s):
Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice
College(s):
Letters and Sciences
Consultation took place:
NA
Programs Affected:
Yes (list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments:
Sociology and Criminology
Is paperwork complete for those programs? (Use "Form 2" for Catalog & Academic Report updates)
NA
Yes
Prerequisites:
will be at future meeting
SOCIOLGY 276 with grade of C or higher
Grade Basis:
Conventional Letter
S/NC or Pass/Fail
Course will be offered:
Part of Load
On Campus
Above Load
Off Campus - Location
College:
Letters and Sciences
Dept/Area(s): Sociology, Anthro. & Crim. Just.
Instructor:
Greg Jeffers (and new hire for Fall 2013)
Note: If the course is dual-listed, instructor must be a member of Grad Faculty.
Check if the Course is to Meet Any of the Following:
Technological Literacy Requirement
Diversity
Writing Requirement
General Education Option: Select one:
Note: For the Gen Ed option, the proposal should address how this course relates to specific core courses, meets the goals of General Education in
providing breadth, and incorporates scholarship in the appropriate field relating to women and gender.
Credit/Contact Hours: (per semester)
Total lab hours:
Number of credits:
0
3
Total lecture hours:
Total contact hours:
48
48
Can course be taken more than once for credit? (Repeatability)
No
Yes
If "Yes", answer the following questions:
No of times in major:
No of times in degree:
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No of credits in major:
No of credits in degree:
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Proposal Information: (Procedures for form #3)
Course justification: Students in the proposed Criminology Major need to be familiar with the range of
criminological theories and acquire firm grounding in theories of the field. They also need to advance their
analytic reasoning skills in theory, recognize relationships between theory and policies and research
evidence, and develop their written communication skills related to criminology.
Relationship to program assessment objectives: Assessment objectives for the Criminology program are
being revised in Fall 2012, but two objectives are: (1) All students will be familiar with the basic theories
in criminology and compare-contrast them in terms of empirical support and policy implications. (2) All
students will develop their critical reasoning and writing skills related to the field of criminology.
This Writing Intensive Class explicitly builds on the 7 guidelines of “The Preliminary Report from
the Sub-committee on Writing Intensive Courses, College of Letters & Sciences Curriculum Committee,
April 2012”
1. Writing is integral to the course and reflected in course objectives.
In the course, an objective is to improve students’ writing skills, specifically as the skills apply to
discussing and explaining issues within criminology.
2. Instructors should provide explicit writing instruction using best practices that can take place in
class or written comments on drafts, and should intentionally build assignments of increased
complexity. In the course, students will receive explicit writing instructions will occur. Increased
complexity is event in weekly assignments that are practice for writing essays on tests and papers. For the
paper assignments, a draft paper is requested and will be returned to students with feedback for rewriting
the final paper.
3. Amount of writing should be substantial, 12-14 pages. In the course, students will write 3 papers
(12-15 pages in total) not including weekly assignments or essays in tests.
4. Emphasis on writing as a process with revision and repetition of drafts. In the course, weekly
assignments are practice for writing essays on tests. Both the weekly assignments and essay are steps
towards the three required papers.
5. Use integrated, informal low stakes writing assignments. In the course, students will have weekly
assignments graded Pass/Fail, 12 Passes of 15 required to succeed.
6. Writing assignments should constitute 40% of grade. In the course, the writing part of the course
grade is 30% from the 3 papers, plus 10% from the essay questions on each of 3 tests).
7. Lowered enrollment caps. This course will have an enrollment cap of 25 students.
Budgetary impact: A new tenure-track faculty position has been authorized and recruitment is taking
place in Fall 2012. This person will have primary responsibility for teaching the course. By offering this
course the number of sections of SOCIOLGY 473 sections offered will decline from 6 to 4 per year
allowing a reallocation of staffing resources.
Course description: (50 word limit)
This course is an in-depth investigation of criminological theories with an emphasis on sociological
criminology. Students will compare-contrast the assumptions, principles and concepts of major theories,
examine empirical research relevant to the theories, and consider the policy applications of theoretical
perspectives. PREQ: C or higher in SOCIOLGY 276; SOCIOLOGY 374 and SOCIOLGY 378
If dual listed, list graduate level requirements for the following: N/A
1. Content (e.g., What are additional presentation/project requirements?)
2. Intensity (e.g., How are the processes and standards of evaluation different for graduates and
undergraduates? )
3. Self-Directed (e.g., How are research expectations differ for graduates and undergraduates?)
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Course objectives and tentative course syllabus: See below.
Bibliography: (Key or essential references only. Normally the bibliography should be no more than one or two
pages in length.)
*Akers, Ronald L. 1998. Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and Deviance.
Northeastern University Press.
Akers, Ronald L. and Christine S. Sellers. 2009. Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and
Application, 5th ed. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Arrigio, Bruce A. 1999. Social Justice/Criminal Justice: The Maturation of Critical Theory in Law,
Crime, and Deviance. Wadsworth.
*Barak, Gregg. 2003. Violence and Nonviolence: Pathways to Understanding. Sage.
Benson, Michael. 2002. Crime and the Life Course: An Introduction. Roxbury Press.
*Berger, Ronald and Paul D. Gregory (eds.). 2009. Juvenile Delinquency and Justice: Sociological
Perspectives. Lynne Rienner.
*Daly, Kathleen and Lisa Maher (eds.). 1997. Criminology at the Crossroads: Feminist Readings in Crime
and Justice. Oxford University Press.
Fuller, John. 1998. Criminal Justice: A Peacemaking Perspective. Allyn and Bacon.
Gabbidon, Shaun L. 2010. Criminological Perspectives on Race and Crime. 2nd ed. Routledge.
*Hagan, John. 2010. Who are the Criminals? The Politics of Crime Policy from the Age of Roosevelt to
the Age of Reagan. Princeton University Press.
Kappeler, Victor E. and Gary W. Potter. 2005. The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice. 4th ed.
Waveland Press.
Karmen, Andrew. 2009. Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology. 7th ed. Wadsworth.
*Lanier, Mark M. and Stuart Henry. 2004. Essential Criminology. 2nd ed. Westview Press.
*Messerschmidt, James W. 1993. Masculinities and Crime: Critique and Reconceptualization of Theory.
Rowman and Littlefield.
*Quinney, Richard. 1970. The Social Reality of Crime. Little, Brown.
Renzetti, Claire M. 2013. Feminist Criminology. Routledge.
*Ross, Jeffrey Ian and Stephen C. Richards. 2003. Convict Criminology. Wadsworth.
Shoemaker, Donald. 2010. Theories of Delinquency: An Examination of Explanations of Delinquent
Behavior. 6th ed. Oxford University Press.
Vold, George B., Thomas J. Bernard, and Jeffrey B. Snipes. 2002. Theoretical Criminology. 5th ed. Oxford
University Press.
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Walker, Samuel. 2010. Sense and Nonsense about Crime, Drugs, and Communities:A Policy Guide. 7th ed.
Wadworth.
*Walker, Samuel, Cassia Spohn, and Miriam DeLone. 2007. The Color of Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and
Crime in America. 4th ed. Wadsworth.
*Available in UWW library
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Sociology 475
CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY
Course Description: An in-depth survey of criminological theory with an emphasis on sociological
criminology. The empirical research and policy applications of different theoretical perspectives will also
be examined.
Course Objectives:
1. To develop students’ abilities to describe and critically evaluate the assumptions and logical
propositions of different individualistic, microsociological and macrosociological theories in
criminology.
2. To develop student’s abilities to compare theories and to evaluate the empirical research that
affirms and/or disconfirms particular criminological theories.
3. To develop students’ abilities to recognize the connections between the policy applications and
a range of criminological theories and to assess empirical evidence regarding the efficacy and/or
non-efficacy of the policies.
4. To develop in students a capacity to reason, discuss and write analytically about the central
issues in criminology by drawing on the major theories of the field.
5. To improve students’ writing skills, specifically as the skills apply to discussing and explaining
issues within criminology.
Required Text: Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application, 5th ed. Ronald L.
Akers and Christine S. Sellers (Oxford University Press, 2009).
D2L Download: Study Guide, Criminological Theories 5th edition
Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Criminological Theory,
Reading Chapter 1 in Akers & Sellers
Answer Study Guide Question 2:
Week 2: Deterrence and Rational Choice Theory,
Reading Chapter 2 in Akers & Sellers and D2L reading: Routine Activity Theory
Answer Study Guide Question: 2
Week 3: Biological Theory,
Reading Chapter 3 in Akers & Sellers and D2L reading: Gene Testing and Predicting Crime
Answer Study Guide Question: 3
Week 4: Psychological Theory,
Reading Chapter 4 in Akers & Sellers
Answer Study Guide Question: 5
TEST 1 and Paper 1
Weeks 5 and 6: Social Learning Theory
Reading Chapter 6 in Akers & Sellers and D2L reading: ATP and At-Risk Youth
Answer Study Guide Questions: 1 and 4
Week 7: Social Bonding and Control Theories
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Reading Chapter 6 in Akers & Sellers and D2L reading: Hirschi’s theory of Social Control
Answer Study Guide Question: 3
Week 8: Labeling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory
Reading Chapter 7 in Akers & Sellers and D2L reading: Restorative Justice
Answer Study Guide Question: 2
Weeks 9 and 10: Social Disorganization, Anomie, and Strain Theories
Reading: Chapter 8 in Akers & Sellers and D2L readings: Differential Opportunity
Answer Study Guide Questions: 4 and 5
TEST 2 and Paper 2
Weeks 11: Conflict Theory
Reading Chapter 9 in Akers & Sellers: D2L reading Turk’s Theory
Answer Study Guide Question: 2
Week 12: Marxist and Critical Theory
Reading Chapter10 in Akers & Sellers: D2L reading Test of Kirchheime-Rusche
Answer Study Guide Question: 3
Week 13: Feminist Theory
Reading Chapter 11 in Akers & Sellers: D2L reading: Patriarchy and Crime
Answer Study Guide Question: 2
Weeks 14 and 15: Integrating Criminological Theories
Reading: Chapter 12 in Akers & Sellers
Answer Study Guide Questions: 2 and 3
TEST 3 and Paper 3
Grading Criteria and Course Policies
Exams (3):
20% for each exam = 60% of course grade
Papers: (3)
30% of course grade
Class attendance & participation: 10% of course grade
Weekly writing assignments
Pass/Fail
Exams: The course has three exams, each worth 20%. Exams will include a mix of multiple-choice, shortanswer questions and one essay question.
Paper Guidelines: This is a “writing intensive” course that requires each student to write three short
papers (4-5 pages in length) on Criminological Theory. Details for each paper assignment will be discussed
in class. Students should submit a draft of their papers 10 days prior to the due date. They will be retured
ungraded with comments 5 days before the due date. Papers must be submitted in hard copy at the
beginning of the class period they are due. If your printer is not working, I will occasionally accept email
attachments on a case-by-case basis. Please use Times New Roman 11 or 12 point font, with one inch
margins and double-spacing. Points will be deducted for papers that do not conform to these guidelines.
Papers must also be submitted electronically into D2L in MS-Word format by 10 pm the due date to be
checked electronically for plagiarism. College level writing is expected (e.g., no spelling or grammar
mistakes, clear structure, etc.) and is part of the grade.
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Attendance: I will be recording attendance each day of class. If you need to leave early for a particular
reason, please inform me at the beginning of the class period. Students who leave early without prior
notification will be counted as absent for the day.
If illness or other excused absence prevents you from taking an exam or submitting a required paper on the
scheduled date, you should try to notify me in advance and be prepared to provide verification if I request
it. I will not accept papers on material covered in class that is missed due to an unexcused absence. As for
excused absences, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up missing work in a
timely manner. I will not accept missing work at the end of the semester for assignments that should have
been completed much earlier.
Classroom Etiquette: Please observe appropriate classroom etiquette. This includes arriving to class on
time and not packing up your materials five minutes before the class is finished. Talking to the person
sitting next to you should be limited to the subject matter that is being considered in class. If you feel
compelled to do this, please do so quietly and be prepared to share your comments with the rest of the
class. Also, please do not read or do homework for another class; and please turn off your cell phones and
do not text-message in class, including during the times we are watching documentary films. Students who
text-message during class will be counted as absent for the day.
Lastly, there will be no video or audio recording of what transpires in class, and no use of laptops without
my prior permission, because in most instances I have found that students mainly use it to surf the Internet,
check their e-mail or Facebook, or do homework for another class. If you think you need a laptop to take
notes in class, I will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis, and in those approved cases, you should
be prepared to show me your notes at the end of each class period.
Overall, repeated disregard of these etiquette guidelines will result in a lowering of the
attendance/participation portion of your grade and perhaps your final grade for the course.
Academic Dishonesty: Students are advised to become familiar with Student Academic Misconduct
section of the UW-Whitewater University Handbook. Cheating on a test, copying another student’s work,
or plagiarism will not be tolerated. It will result in penalties and may include from a grade of zero on an
assignment, one lower letter grade in the course, or a grade of F in the course and a formal notice to the
Dean of Student Affairs depending on the severity of the offense.
Weekly Writing Assignment: Each week you are to submit a half-page answer (one paragraph, roughly 5-8
sentences) to assigned Study Guide questions. The assignments are due at the start of the class that they
are due. See Paper Guidelines for formatting. The assignments are graded Pass/Fail. You must get a total
of 12 PASS Study Guide answers. If you do not have at least 12 PASS assignments by the end of the
course, your overall course letter grade will be reduced by one letter (e.g., B+ becomes C+).
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Academic Policy: UWW is dedicated to a safe, supportive, and nondiscriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with
UWW policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Belief
Accommodation, Discrimination, and Absence for University Sponsored Events.
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