SOC 306-003 – Criminology
Fall 2015
MWF: 11:20-12:10 — Park Shops, room 201
Instructor: Prof. Patricia McCall
Office Hours: 10:30-11:30 T or by appt
Office: 1911 Building, room 365
Email: patty_mccall@ncsu.edu
TA: Knia Fleming
12:25-1:25 TW or by appt
1911 Building, room 328
koflemin@ncsu.edu
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to various areas of criminological thought. We begin with
a general overview of the nature and methods of the study of crime. The next segment of the
course covers the theoretical approaches to the study of crime causation -- including
Biological, Psychological, but primarily Sociological perspectives. We conclude the course
with the Criminal Justice System and responses to crime, such as deterrence, retribution, and
rehabilitation. This course counts toward the GEP Social Science requirement.
Prerequisites:
The prerequisite for Sociology 306 is three hours of a 200-level sociology course.
Therefore, you should have a general foundation in sociology -- consisting of knowledge of
major sociological concepts, social institutions of society, and social processes of interaction.
Required Text:
The text used in this course is John Conklin's Criminology, 10th or 11th edition. The course
outline recommends a reading schedule for you to follow. Read text assignments prior to each
class. This will ensure a maximized learning experience from this course.
Course Requirements & Evaluation:
There will be three exams given during the semester -- each one comprising one quarter
(25%) of the total course grade. Generally, each exam will consist of multiple choice
questions. The exams will include material from both the lectures and the text. Students
must give prior notice of major emergencies BEFORE missing an exam (via email) in order
to be excused for a missed exam. Make-up exams will be given only to those students who
have approved absences.
A theoretical application paper based on excerpts from the film, City of God, is required.
You will describe how some criminogenic aspect(s) of the film would be explained best by
two criminological theories. It will comprise 25% of the final course grade and will be graded
according to the clarity of theoretical explication, appropriateness of theoretical application
and organization. The paper length should be 3-4 pages of text (not including the required,
title page and any bibliography you might choose to include, but not required), but no longer
than 5 pages. The paper should be double spaced with 1-inch margins using 12 point
font. I will be willing to discuss your paper with you up to one week before it is due. Your
paper grade will be dropped a letter for each calendar day it is late (including weekends).
More details will be provided later in the semester. Submit your paper via Moodle. Use MS
Word only.
Grading Scale:
A+ 97-100
A 94-96
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D+ 67-69
D 64-66
D- 60-63
F <60
Attendance is required. I reserve the right to deduct points from your final grade for
excessive, unexcused absences.
Statement on Academic Integrity: Violations may result in a failing grade for the course. If
you have any questions about what constitutes academic integrity and the potential penalties
incurred therein, ask the professor or TA, or consult:
http://studentconduct.ncsu.edu/academic-integrity-an-overview
and also see http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01
Open Learning Environment: The intention and structure of university level courses are to
provide open, thoughtful forums for a wide variety of topics. While discussing these topics,
students shall not discriminate on the basis of “race, color, religion, creed, sex, national
origin, age, disability or veteran status” as outlined in the University’s Unlawful Harassment
Policy, available at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/
If you have a concern in this regard, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 515-3148,
or contact the instructor.
Physical or Learning Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students
with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students
must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus
Box 7509, 515-7653, and have a letter provided to the instructor indicating what types of
accommodations will be required. Please consult:
http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss . For more information on NC State’s
policy on working with students with disabilities, please consult:
http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01
CHASS Career Services for Humanities & SocSci Majors (University Career Center).
Contact Woody Catoe and make appointments through ePACK – ncsu.edu/epack
Course Schedule
Topic & Assignment
Tentative Dates
Part I: Introduction to Criminology
Chapter 1: The Study of Crime
August 19 – 21
Topic & Assignment
Tentative Dates
Part II: The Extent and Nature of Crime
Chapter 2: Measuring Crime
August 24 – 31
Chapter 3: Crime and Its Costs
Labor Day Holiday
September 2 - 9
September 7
Chapter 4: Dimensions of Crime
September 9 – 16
Review for Exam I
Exam I
September 16
September 18
Part III: The Causes of Criminal Behavior
Chapter 5: Biological and Psychological Explanations of Crime
September 21 – 25
Chapter 6: Social, Cultural & Economic Sources of Crime
Film – Children of Violence
Sept 28 - October 12
Sept. 30 – Oct. 2
Fall Break
Chapter 7: Social Control and Commitment to the Law
Chapter 8: Learning to Commit Crime
October 9
October 14 – 23
October 23 – 30
Review for Exam II
October 30
Exam II
November 2
Chapter 9: Opportunities and Facilitating Factors
Film – City of God (rated R for sex, violence )
November 4 - 9
November 4 - 6
Chapter 10: Criminal Careers
November 9 - 13
Part IV: Reactions to Crime
Chapter 13: The Criminal Justice System
November 16 – 30
Theoretical Applications Paper Day—No Class—due 5:00pm
November 18
Film –The New Gulag
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 20
November 25 - 27
Chapter 14: Deterrence, Incapacitation, Retribution & Rehabilitation
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4
Review for Exam III
Exam III
December 4
December 9 (9-11am)