Course Syllabus
Course Prefix / Number: CCJ 6061
Course Title: Criminological Theory
Course Credit Hours: 3
Instructor Name and Contact Information: Dr. Jamie Snyder
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: None
Course Description
Examines criminological theories with emphasis on the origins and applications of
relevant theoretical approaches to crime and criminally deviant behavior. Addresses
theoretical concepts and propositions of most (though not all) of the major
criminological theories, the related empirical research that has tested these
theories, and the corresponding policy implications.
Topics
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Classical & Neoclassical Theories
Psychological Theories
Bonding & Control Theories
Strain Theories
Biological Theories
Social Disorganization Theories
Labeling Theories
Feminist Theories
Life Course Theories
Integrated Theories
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Identify, describe, and discuss current and past criminological theories
Critically examine empirical tests of major criminological theories
Explain the continual relationship between theory, research, and public policy
Evaluate how much research and theory has impacted public policy over time
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of major criminological theories
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Apply specific criminological theories to explain various types of criminality
Texts / Materials
Required texts:
Cullen, F. T., & Agnew, R. (2011). Criminological Theory: Past to Present. (4th
edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Recommended texts:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association. (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological
Association. (978-1-4338-2561-5)
Required Materials:
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Internet Access (broadband is recommended)
Activated UWF ArgoNet E-mail Account
Ability to open PDF files
Grading / Evaluation
Your grade for the course will be based on Two exams – A Mid-term, and Final, and
Weekly class discussions.
Mid-term Exam:
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The mid-term exam will cover the material from the first half of the class. It
will be in essay format. Students will be provided the questions on the
Sunday prior to the due date. You will be given limited choice in which
questions you wish to answer.
The exam is due 6:00pm CT Saturday (10/19/13). Submit your answers
as one Word document (.doc, .docx, or .rtf). to the Dropbox on elearning. NO
late exams will be accepted.
Your answers should be organized (paragraphs, introduction,
evidence/argument, conclusion), grammatically and structurally sound, and
should address questions completely.
Use APA 6th edition to cite references. Include a reference page in APA 6th
edition format.
You should base your answers on the reading for the course, other readings,
and knowledge gained from other courses.
Your answers are positions, not opinions. Positions are supported by
evidence, sound reasoning, and critical analysis.
More information regarding the exam will be discussed online before it is
released.
Total number of points: 100
Final Exam:
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The final exam will cover the material from the second half of the class. It
will be in essay format. Students will be provided the questions on the
Saturday prior to the due date. You will be given limited choice in which
questions you wish to answer.
The exam is due 12:00pm (noon) Friday of finals week (12/13/13).
Submit your answers as one Word document (.doc, .docx, or .rtf). to the
Dropbox on elearning. NO late exams will be accepted.
Your answers should be organized (paragraphs, introduction,
evidence/argument, conclusion), grammatically and structurally sound, and
should address questions completely.
Use APA 6th edition to cite references. Include a reference page in APA 6th
edition format.
You should base your answers on the reading for the course, other readings,
and knowledge gained from other courses.
Your answers are positions, not opinions. Positions are supported by
evidence, sound reasoning, and critical analysis.
More information regarding the exam will be discussed online before it is
released.
Total number of points: 100
Weekly Class Discussions:
For every module (Except for a few weeks noted on the course assignments list),
there will be two discussion questions posted in the discussion board. Students
have been randomly placed in 3 groups of 5 students. To find out what group you
are in, go to the "Communications" tab and select "Groups." Students are to ONLY
post in their groups, posting outside your group may result in a zero for the week.
Additionally, one student has been randomly selected to "lead" their group's
discussion for that week. (The list of group leaders by week can be found in the
"Course Schedule and Assignments" document under the content tab). Each
student will be a "Leader" for their group twice - once before mid-term and once
after mid-term. The group leader for that week is responsible for posting their reply
to the two discussion questions by Thursdays at 12:00pm (noon) CT. The nonleaders for that week are responsible for posting two replies to the group leader or
another student's reply by Saturday at 6pm CT. (See example below).
Leader responsibility: Posting responses to questions by Thursdays at
12:00pm (noon) CT.
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Leader posts must contain citations, fully answer the questions, and provide
a "jumping off" point for conversation from the other group members
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A full detailed rubric on leader posts can be found under Course Materials
under the "Content" heading
Leader posts: 45 Points
Non-leader responsibility: Posting two replies to the leader's post OR posting a
reply to the leader's post and a reply to another student's reply (2 posts total).
Non-leaders posts are due each week on Saturday by 6pm CT.
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Non-leader posts must contain citations, and further the conversation started
by the leader. Statements like "I agree" or "I disagree" with no explanation
or further information are not sufficient responses.
A full detailed rubric on non-leader posts can be found under Course
Materials under the "Content" heading
Non-leader posts: 10 points each (20 points total each week)
Final Grade Distribution:
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Mid-term Exam: 100 point
Final Exam: 100 points
Two leader responses: 45 points each - 90 Points total
Eight non-leader posts: 20 points each - 160 points total
Total: 450 points
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
93% or better
A
77% to 79%
C+
90% to 92%
A-
73% to 76%
C
87% to 89%
B+
70% to 72%
C-
83% to 86%
B
60% to 69%
D
80% to 82%
B-
50% or less
F
Attendance Policy
Since this is an online class, attendance will be assessed thought weekly
participation in ALL discussion boards. This will be calculated as part of your grade.
(See section on weekly discussion boards).
Minimum Technical Skills and Special Technology Utilized by
Students
This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place
over the WWW. In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving
email with attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload
/ download files. In addition, students may need one or more of the following plugins:
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Adobe Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=048DC84014E1-467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en
Windows Media Player:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
QuickTime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real Player: http://www.real.com/realplayer/search
Adobe Flash Player: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
eLearning's Accessibilty Resource Guides for users:
http://www.desire2learn.com/access/resources/
Expectations for Academic Conduct / Plagiarism Policy
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Site) | (PDF Format) |
Plagiarism Policy: (WORD Format) | UWF Library Online Tutorial: Plagiarism |
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
Assistance for Students with Disabilities
The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at the University of West Florida
supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of
the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as
time-limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos
and podcasts, please notify the instructor or the SDRC as soon as possible. You
may contact the SDRC office by e-mail at sdrc@uwf.edu or by phone at (850) 4742387. Appropriate academic accommodations will be determined based on the
documented needs of the individual.
Accessibility Resources
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Follow this link for information on accessibility settings in eLearning.
Follow this link for information on accessibility features in UWF's Learning
Management System (LMS), Desire2Learn.
TurnItIn
UWF maintains a university license agreement for an online text matching service
called TurnItIn. At my discretion, I will use the TurnItIn service to determine the
originality of student papers. If I submit your paper to TurnItIn, it will be stored in
a TurnItIn database for as long as the service remains in existence. If you object to
this storage of your paper:
1. You must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.
2. I will utilize other services and techniques to evaluate your work for evidence
of appropriate authorship practices.
Weather Emergency Information
In the case of severe weather or other emergency, the campus might be closed and
classes cancelled. Official closures and delays are announced on the UWF website
and broadcast on WUWF-FM.
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WUWF-FM (88.1MHz) is the official information source for the university. Any
pertinent information regarding closings, cancellations, and the re-opening of
campus will be broadcast.
In the event that hurricane preparation procedures are initiated, the UWF
Home Web Page and Argus will both provide current information regarding
hurricane preparation procedures, the status of classes and the closing of the
university.
Emergency plans for the University of West Florida related to weather or other
emergencies are available on the following UWF web pages:
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Information about hurricane preparedness plans is available on the UWF web
site:
http://uwfemergency.org/hurricaneprep.cfm
Information about other emergency procedures is available on the UWF web
site:
http://uwfemergency.org/