TEXAS A&M University - Central Texas CRIMINOLOGY 2015 COURSE DESCRIPTION Study and analysis of CRIMINOLOGY in the United States; secondary reference to Criminological THEORY in selected countries of the world. Prerequisites: six semester hours of sociology, including SOC 1301. COURSE INFORMATION Instructor: Class meeting time: Office: Office hours: Phone: Email address: Dr. Alan Turley T Th 9.30 217H by arrangement and T Th 1.50-4.50pm 254-501-5873 a.turley@ct.tamus.edu best method! GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE 1. To gain knowledge regarding the many facets of Criminology. MOD: Ch1-4 and Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 2. To develop an understanding of many theories that have developed regarding criminology. MOD: Ch 5-7 Quiz 3 3. Be able to employee these perspectives to the ongoing debate about popular understanding and usage of criminology. MOD: Ch -8-10 Quiz 3 4. To gain an awareness of how different social interest groups influence the production/consumption/evaluation of criminology. MOD: CH 11-14 FINAL Skills Outcomes: 1. Critical thinking: students must have “sociological insight” in order to see through official explanations of social life, common sense conclusions, and conclusions based solely on personal experience. Using the tools of the discipline, sociologists analyze social life while minimizing the influence of personal emotions and political agendas. 2. Abstract thinking: sociology is a discipline of theory testing. Research techniques and statistics help us describe social phenomena and allow us to evaluate theoretical statements. 3. Persistence: just because we live in a society does not mean we automatically know everything about it. Hard study is required, and thinking is mandatory! Research methods help us see through the veneer of official accounting of the world around us. Research is about persistent curiosity. 4. Flexibility: Students will learn the discovery of hidden social processes. It is imperative that we become flexible in our thinking and willing to process what we already know. Students should be active agents in their own learning. 1 5. Expansion of knowledge; this course aims to expand students’ breadth of knowledge of social behavior, organization, and diversity within populations. Research techniques help us see how social processes affect individual development and life chances. Value Outcomes: 1. Students will value scientific inquiry. 2. Students will be able to discern false information from factual information. 3. Students will understand the appropriate method to utilize given the scientific question. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will: 1. Develop the reasoning and communication skills expected of a person holding a Bachelor of Science degree. 2. Develop proficiency in the use of online research retrieval methods. 3. Understand the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. 4. Be able to apply these methods in real world circumstances. Note: This is an UPPER level course. Be prepared to make the appropriate time commitment to study, volunteering and writing that this course requires. TEACHING STRATEGIES 1. Reading and lecture -- students take the initiative to collect and synthesize material from lectures and readings. Content will be on-line so be prepared for this. 2. Classroom discussion -- through interaction with other students and the professor, students are able to reflect on information gained from lectures, readings, and outside experiences; listen and respond to differing opinions. That will occur in the Discussion section of the online course. Look there next to see what is expected of you! 3. Exams, written exercises, papers, quizzes; other assignments - if needed UNILERT Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related information, regardless of your location. Please enroll today at http://TAMUCT.org/UNILERT TEXTBOOKS & OTHER REQUIRED LEARNING MATERIALS Vold's Theoretical Criminology Thomas J. Bernard, Jeffrey B. Snipes, Alexander L. Gerould Hardback 2009 ISBN13: 9780195386417 6th ed.Oxford University Press 2 Criminological Theory: Past to Present Francis T. Cullen, Robert Agnew Paperback ISBN13: 9780195389555 4th ed. 2011 Oxford University Press COURSE MANAGEMENT A. CLASS POLICIES 1) Course Help It is important for students to be proactive throughout the course in terms of their learning and success. Students who have concerns about how they are doing in the course, do not understand something in the notes, or are unclear on an assignment should initiate contact with the instructor since it is not always possible for the instructor to know if a student is struggling. 2) Respect in the online classroom As behavioral sciences majors, students in this course are preparing to work with people in a multitude of professional settings where they will confront diverse coworkers, clients, and customers. The same is true in this course where we will be discussing many issues about which students will hold varied opinions. Just as in professional environments, in the online classroom, all students should demonstrate respect toward the instructor, and other students in classroom behaviors. Etiquette and respect will be expected at all times: use Mr, Ms. or Dr. and choose your words carefully recognizing that tone is not transmitted well thru email/internet. 3) Participation Class participation is expected of all students, and an evaluation of the quality of your participation will be part of the final course grade. To actively participate in discussion, students need to post regularly. Participation not only includes contributing to class discussions on a regular basis but the nature of that contribution. From time to time, students will be assigned participation exercises to be completed outside of class. These exercises will count toward students’ participation grade. LOOK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW DISCUSSION TOPICS Drop Policy If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately? You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course. 3 Academic Integrity Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty and report the incident to the Associate Director of Student Conduct. More information can be found at http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/studentconduct/facultyresources.php. Disability Support Services If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by providing documentation to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek information about accommodations to help assure success in their courses. Please contact Vanessa Snyder at (254) 501-5836 or visit Founder's Hall 114. Additional information can be found at http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/disabilitysupport/index.php. Tutoring Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Founder's Hall, Room 204, and also in the Library in the North Building. Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing cecilia.morales@ct.tamus.edu. Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. To access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct. Library Services Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A&MCentral Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference, online information literacy tutorials, and digital research materials. Much of the A&M-CT collection is available instantly from home. This includes over half of the library's book collection, as well as approximately 25,000 electronic journals and 200 online databases. Library Distance Education Services are outlined and accessed at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/deservices.php Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, but is not limited to: the exploration of information resources such as library 4 collections, the identification of appropriate materials, and the execution of effective search strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/index.php B. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1) Readings Students should read all assigned materials and be prepared to discuss them in class for the dates listed on the syllabus. Not all of the assigned reading material will be covered in class, but may be covered on the exams. 2) Exams You will take 5 quizzes a MIDTERM and a FINAL over material presented in the lectures and found in the reading assignments. A makeup quiz is available at the end of the course April 26. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, and short answer questions. The dates for each exam are listed below. The final exam; it may be comprehensive but will place more emphasis on material from the second half of the course. Students will only be allowed to make up an exam if they have a legitimate absence (illness, family emergency, school event) and let the instructor know before the exam is given, or in an emergency situation, ASAP; in some cases, documentation of an absence will be required before a make-up exam can be given. 3) Paper The paper is worth 25% of your final grade. The grade on late papers will be lowered by a letter grade for each day that it is late. This means each actual day, not each class day. For example, if a paper is due Monday for class, then your grade will only be lowered by a letter if you get to paper to me by Tuesday by the same time we would have class. Late papers will not be penalized ONLY if you have a legitimate excuse and have contacted me about it in advance, or in the case of an emergency, ASAP. Dr. Turley’s class policies: *On all assignments, papers, etc., if the printer failed to print, you are late - period. Plan for this, just like the real world. If your presentation were due on a Monday at work, and you didn’t have it… you would be fired. Do not turn in handwritten assignments; if you do not have access to a computer in your home, plan ahead to make sure you can get to the computer lab in time. **I will not accept any work past the last scheduled class day for the semester, unless you confront an emergency situation and have contacted me about that situation. ***If anyone is deemed to be abusive or derisive AT ALL by the instructor, that student will be asked to leave the class or discussion assignment immediately. This is not open to debate, and depending on the level of the incident, may be turned over to the Dean or Campus Security. This is part of your student code of conduct and I take this VERY 5 seriously. By signing the syllabus agreement below, you are agreeing to participate by these rules. ****Arguing grades. When a real incident occurs where you feel the machine or instructor has made a legitimate error in grading, then politely bring it to my attention. Do not however engage in an all too common practice of arguing a grade with the idea of “Well I have nothing to lose if I waste the instructor’s time in a vain attempt to manipulate a few more points on an assignment.” This will not work or be tolerated. C.EVALUATION & GRADING PROCEDURES I. GRADE Requirements: 1. Quizzes (100 points): Quizzes will be on the reading for the week quiz will be on Friday, taken by midnight Central Standard Time. There will be a MAKEUP Quiz opportunity at the end of the course, before the final. 2. Participation (30 points) These points are NOT automatic. Think Bonus Points. They are awarded when you contribute to the online class and scholarly discussion of the class in the discussion section. Many will not have ANY of these points awarded 3. Midterm (100 points) Multiple-choice and essay exam emphasizing theory and the historical foundations of criminology in society. 4. Research Paper (100 points): Students will write a descriptive research project that addresses one of the course topics in depth with a strong demonstration of your grasp of the theory involved. Double-spaced, one-inch margins. Use proper citation styles. Papers are due on the day specified in the syllabus April 30. You can use Turnitin.com to check against plagiarism in your paper. 5. Final Exam (100 points) Online multiple-choice and essay exam covering course material after the Midterm. II. Grading Scale and Rubric Grades will be determined by performance on online discussion projects, quizzes, a midterm exam, a final exam, and the final research. Weighing of requirements for final grades are: 5 Quizzes 100 points 25% Participation 30 points Bonus% Midterm 100 points 25% Research Paper 100 points 25% Final Exam 100 points 25% Total 420 points ~100% The following grade scale will give you some indication of the grade you will receive in this class: 90-100% = A (Excellent) 80-89% = B (Better than Average) 70-79% = C (Average) 60-69% = D (Below Average) Below 60% is Failing 6 Incomplete Grades: I do not give out INCOMPLETE GRADES. ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS ARE DUE ON THE DATES OUTLINED IN THE SYLLABUS. It is the responsibility of the student to notify me if they cannot make a test. If I do not hear from you prior to the class, I will not allow an excuse for the absence. Posting of Grades: All student grades posted on the Blackboard Grade book and students should monitor their grading status through this tool. Grades for Quizzes will be posted 3 days after the availability period has passed. Grades for Weekly Assignments and Papers will be posted the Wednesday following the due date. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT Technology Requirements This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning management system for class communications, content distribution, and assessments. Logon to http://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course. Username: Your Tarleton email address (the complete email address, e.g. john.doe@go.tarleton.edu) Initial password: Your DuckTrax ID (UID) For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course. If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection, please consider dropping this course or contact me (see page 1) to discuss your situation. Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on the TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (http://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a CRITICAL step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit an assignment. Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get there. There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand menubar. The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and discussion posts, and submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course. Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines. 7 7.1 Technology Support For technological or computer issues, students should contact the TAMU-CT Blackboard Support Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Support Portal: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport Online chat (through the support portal at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport) Phone: (855)-661-7965 For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor. The Operation of the Online Course and Being an Online Student Online learning requires students to be very self-disciplined, be sure you understand and are prepared to comply with all required class assignments and deadlines. For this course, the Weekly Assignment will be posted on the Course Home Page By Monday or Tuesday morning (latest) and will be due to the associated Discussion Forum, Assignment Drop Box or Quiz the following Friday night at midnight. Always be checking the Announcements section! CALENDAR T Jan 20 Intro – Syllabus – Book – Believe it or not, Start thinking of paper topics NOW! [READING: Chpt 1 in.VOLD and Essay 1-3 in Cullen] Th Jan22 – SIGN AND RETURN THE LAST CONTRACT PAGES OF THIS SYLLABI. You will NOT be in the course until you do this and email it to me. [READING: Chapter 1 VOLD and Essay 4-6 in Cullen]. Also read SOC 101 pwr pt, Paper topic and Good v Bad Paper Pwr Pt and participate in the DISCUSSION Assignment. These are ALL due Jan 23 T Jan 27 [READING: Chapter 2 in VOLD and Essay 7-8] BOOKS MUST BE PURCHASED! Th F Jan 29 [READING: Chapter 2] Jan 30 QUIZ 1 taken by this date by midnight T Feb 3 [READING: Chapter 3 in VOLD and Essay 10-13] PAPER TOPIC DUE!! Th Feb 5 [READING: Chapter 3] T Feb 10 [READING: Chapter 4 in VOLD and Essay 14-16] Th F Feb 12[READING: Chapter 4 ] Feb 13 QUIZ 2 taken by this date by midnight T Feb 17 [READING: Chapter 5 in VOLD and Essay 18-19] Th Feb 19 [READING: Chapter 5] 8 T Feb 24 [READING: Chapter 6 in VOLD and Essay 20-22] Th F Feb 26 [READING: Chapter 6 and Essays 23-26] Feb 27 QUIZ 3 taken by this date by midnight T Mar 3 [READING: Chapter 7 in VOLD and Essay 32-33] Th Mar 5 [READING: Chapter 7 in VOLD] T Mar 10 [READING: Chapter 8 in VOLD and Essay 34-36] Th F Mar 12 [READING: Chapter 8 in VOLD] MaR 13 MIDTERM taken by this date by midnight Mar 16-21 SPRING BREAK T Mar 24 [READING: Chapter 9 in VOLD and Essay 37-40] Th Mar 26 [READING: Chapter 9] T Mar31 [READING: Chapter 10 in VOLD and Essay 41-43 ] Th F Apr 2 [READING: Chapter 10] Apr 3 QUIZ 4 taken by this date by midnight T April 7 [READING: Chapter 11 in VOLD ] Th April 9 [READING: Chapter 11] T April 14 [READING: Chapter 12 in VOLD and Essay 44-47] Th F April 16 [READING: Chapter 12] April 17 QUIZ 5 taken by this date by midnight T April 21 [READING: Chapter 13 in VOLD] Th April 23 [READING: Chapter 13] T April 28 [READING: Chapter 14-15 in VOLD and Essay 27-31] Th F April 30 [READING: Chapter 14-15] May 1 MAKEUP QUIZ (if needed) taken by this date by midnight T May 5 [Reading Chapter 16-17 in VOLD and Essay 48-50] PAPER DUE! T May 12 OUR FINAL QUIZ by MIDNIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 9 Title: Author: Date: 4 Presentation (25 points) 1. Proper Format (1 inch margins, double-spaced, at least 8pages in length, paragraph in line, etc) 2. Free of Spelling Errors 3. Grammatically Correct Content (30 points) 4. Information and evidence are accurate, appropriate, and integrated effectively. 5. Claims and ideas are supported with citations from the article and text. Thinking (35 points) 6. Analysis/synthesis/evaluation/interpretation are effective and consistent. 7. Independent thinking is evident. 8. Creativity/originality is evident. Assignment Specific Criteria (10 point) 9. Responds to all aspects of the assignment. Overall Evaluation Excellent (90+) Above Average (80-89.9) Grade _100.0 (A)_ Presentation Content Thinking Assignment Total Average (7079.9) 25 30 35 10 100 Comments: 10 Competent Excellent This rubric is designed to make clear the grading process for written communication by informing you, the writer, what key elements are expected by the university in a “good” piece of written work. Your written work will be evaluated by the criteria below in order to give you specific feedback to help guide your development as a writer. Your writing will not be graded point by point by these items; it will be graded for its overall quality. Below Average (60-69.9) Not Acceptable Grading Rubric for the Final Paper 3.2 2.8 2.4 0 Term Paper Project I. Expectations for the Paper This is a research paper. I expect the paper to be between 7 and 10 pages (at least 1750 words) in length with between 7 and 10 “peer-reviewed” journal article or book resources; all about CRIMONOLOGY. II. Paper Topics Choose a topic which interests you and is worth spending your time on. It must be about some aspect of CRIMINOLOGY and it must have a strong theoretical component to it. III. Constructing the Paper Once you have a topic and have begun to read the relevant literature, begin considering how you want to construct the paper. Keep these points in mind: 1. What is your thesis? 2. How many points do you want to make? 3. In what order are you going to present these points? 4. Do your points follow a reasoned pattern? 5. Does your conclusion tie the paper together (from thesis to final point)? IV. Body of the Paper The paper should be comprised of the following components: 1. Introduction: What is your research question? What is your hypothesis? (What did you expect to find) What is your theoretical orientation? (How would a functional/conflict perspective best explain your expected outcomes and research question?) 2. Literature Review: This is where you introduce your points and begin to lay the groundwork for illustrating them in the discussion section of your paper. What have previous authors said about this topic? What were their hypotheses and how did their findings support or reshape their theory? Where are the major gaps in the literature, and how does your paper fit into the discussion (novel idea, supportive of one perspective)? 3. Discussion: Develop your points here. What did you find, without making any conclusions. 4. Conclusions: Was your hypothesis correct? How did your findings support your hypothesis? How did your findings support your theoretical perspective? 5. Bibliography, Notes 11 Grading Rubric for any Online Discussions Date: Author: Date: Excellent This rubric is designed to make clear the grading process for written communication by informing you, the writer, what key elements are expected by the university in a “good” piece of written work. Competent Author: Title: Your written work will be evaluated by the criteria below in order to give you specific feedback to help guide your development as a writer. Your writing will not be graded point by point by these items; it will be graded for its overall quality. 4 3.2 2.8 Presentation (2.0 points) 1. Proper Format (at least 125 words in length) Content (3.5 points) 2. Information and evidence are accurate, appropriate, and integrated effectively. 3. Claims and ideas are supported with citations from the article and text. Thinking (3.5 points) 4. Analysis/synthesis/evaluation/interpretation are effective and consistent. 5. Responses are well documented and thoughtful Assignment Specific Criteria (1 point) 6. Responds to all aspects of the assignment. Overall Evaluation Excellent (9+) Grade _10.0 (A)_ Presentation Content Thinking Assignment Total Above Average (8.0-8.9) Average (7.0-7.9) 2.5 3.0 3.5 1.0 10.0 Comments Notes: 12 Not Acceptable Title: Below Average (6.0-6.9) 2.4 0 Class Information Sheet Name _________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ Phone __________________ School id ______________________ Email _________________________________________________ Major _________________________________________________ Why are you taking this class? (Don’t say reqr’d even if true) _________________________________________________ Some info on you – Where did you grow up? _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ How many people in your family? _____________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________ Your first job? ______________________________________________ Where did you go to High School? _________________________________________________ Where have you lived line 1 or visited line 2? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Attend any other colleges? _________________________________________________ Careers interested in? ____________________________________________________________ Fill out the info. Copy it - INCLUDING the HONESTY statement below. Open an email msg to me. Paste the info. Send me the email. By signing this paper, I agree to the syllabus as a course contract and agree to abide by the course as outlined within: _________________________________________________ date: ______________ 13 Definitions, Violations and Consequences of Academic Honesty Courses Offered by Dr. Alan C. Turley Department of Sociology I have read Texas A&M Central Texas’ statement on Academic Honesty on page 16 of the TAMU-CT Student Handbook (http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/student-affairs/pdfs/Texas_A&M_University_Central_Texas_STUDENT_HANDBOOK_.pdf). I have also read over the definitions and examples of Plagiarism at “Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab” web-site (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/). I am aware that if I should violate Texas A&M’s Academic Honesty policy in Dr. Turley’s course, he will 1) fail me for the assignment and/or the course, and 2) initiate an Academic Dishonesty action against me. I know I have the right to appeal Dr. Turley’s action against me with the Vice Provost. 3) I further agree to abide by this syllabus AND Dr. Turley’s Policies Course: CRIMINOLOGY Term: SPRING 2015 Print Name Student ID Sign Name Date 14 CRIMINOLOGY Student Contract Please read this contract. Once you have read it and understand it, highlight this entire page AND the personal info page prior to this page in your syllabus, press copy, then submit it as a completed assignment with your signature to your instructor’s email. As a student, I fully understand that: 1. To have a smooth and successful experience in this distance learning course, I understand the following to be my responsibilities throughout the semester: to read the syllabus closely and check it for updates to keep up with assignments/exams which are due as posted in the course to NOT turn in late assignments as these will not be accepted. to realize due dates posted in Blackboard are final dates but I can submit assignments any time prior to that date and time 2. to communicate often and early with my classmates and course instructor to receive and send email using only the MAIL link for this course to read or be familiar with the student honesty policy and abide by it. I have read the computer requirements for distance learning and understand my responsibilities with regard to technology and distance learning to be: to ensure that I have the necessary technology to take this course to realize computers differ and Internet connections may be more reliable at some hours than others. 3. If my personal computer performs poorly for the Introductory Exercise to use another computer connected to the Internet with Internet Explorer 7.0, or make arrangements with the Computer Lab (254) 519-5466 to submit my assignments on one of their computers, or use a computer in a computer lab on any one of Tarleton State University’s campuses Signed, (TYPE YOUR NAME IN HERE) (TYPE YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER HERE) 15