CJ 604: Advanced Theory in Criminal Justice

Sec. 201

 

Professor: Dr. Kimberly DeTardo-Bora

Office: 775 Smith Hall

Office Phone: 304/696-3084 (and voice mail)

Fax: 304/696-3085

Email:  detardobora@marshall.edu

Web Page: www.marshall.edu/criminal-justice/detardobora.htm

 

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-10:00 & 11:00-12:00; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:00 and Thursdays from 2:00-4:00

 

§  COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course is designed to provide the student already familiar with the basic concepts of criminological theory the opportunity to examine in depth a selected set of theories

 

§  Prerequisites: CJ 504, its equivalent, or permission from instructor 

 

§  CJ 604 convenes on Thursdays from 4:00-6:20 pm in SH 418

 

§  COURSE OBJECTIVES

In this course you will have the opportunity to achieve the following objectives/goals:

 

  • To acquire an advanced understanding of criminological theories, including content knowledge, empirical foundations, and evaluation

 

  • To interpret criminological theories in their original form

 

  • To examine the empirical evidence which may support or deny criminological theories

 

  • To critically analyze and evaluate the strength of different theoretical points of view

 

  • To develop and practice professional presentation and summative writing skills

 

 


§  REQUIRED TEXTS

American Psychological Association [APA] (2001). Publication manual of the American

     Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC.

 

Cullen, F. T., & Agnew, R. (2006). Criminological theory: Past to present (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA:

     Roxbury Publishing.        

 

Jacoby, J. E. (2004). (Ed.). Classics of criminology (3rd ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.  

 

            *Additional readings may be assigned and placed on reserve.


§  COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

Students must have a computer or access to one, as well as access to the Internet to send and receive email messages.  If you are using an email account other than your Marshall email account, (i.e., hotmail, yahoo, aol, etc.) you must set your Marshall email account to forward to your other account. 

 

§  COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINATION OF GRADES

To evaluate your progress in reaching the aforementioned course objectives/goals, you will be assessed in the following ways:

 

Course Requirements:                                      Determination of Grades:

Writing Assignments (15%)                                      The grading scale is as follows:

Final Exam (25%)                                           100%-90% = A                       69%-60% = D

Active Participation/Attendance (15%)      89%-80% = B              Below 60% = F

Presentation (20%)                                         79%-70% = C

Research Paper (25%)

                                            

§  WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

A total of 12 theoretical writing assignments will be completed (1 submitted each week). These typed assignments will be comprised of a series of questions and analytical statements that will be used for our class discussion each time we meet. More specifically, class discussions will follow each presentation. The discussions will be comprised of dissecting the meaning behind each theory, an understanding of the key concepts, and causal relationships as well as how the theory has been measured and/or tested. Policy implications for each theory and perspective will be discussed as well. If time allows, the discussion will include how the theories can be applied to a crime or criminological issue. The directions for the writing assignments are provided to you on page 9 of this syllabus. The writing assignments will be worth 15% of your final grade.

 

§  FINAL EXAM

There will one exam, that is, a final exam.  The exam is worth 25% total of your final grade. It is most likely that the exams will be essay-based and comprehensive.

           

            Exam Schedule:

Final Exam: May 8, 2008

 

            Exam & Make-up Exam Policy:

Examinations must be taken during the periods designated in the syllabus. If a student arrives late for an exam, the student can complete the exam but only in the original time frame specified in class. However, if a student arrives after another student has completed the exam, the student who was late will not be allowed to take the examination, because the exam has been compromised.  In other words, the student cannot take the exam or make up the exam; the student will receive a grade of zero for the examination.  Deviations from this policy can be made if the student makes provisions with the instructor before the test date.

 

It is the student’s responsibility to notify me if he/she is unable to take an examination.  Students must contact me prior to the administration of the exam. (If I am not contacted prior to the exam or if you do not show up to take the exam, you will receive a failing grade for the exam.) For those students who do contact me and have a legitimate excuse (includes family emergencies/illness or pre-approved university sponsored activities), an alternative time to take the exam will be determined.  The format of the make-up exam will be left to my discretion.

 

§  ACTIVE PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE

At the graduate level, students are expected to participate in class discussions on a regular       basis, as it is at best, one of the most valuable avenues for learning in the classroom. Thus, students are expected to make a significant contribution by asking pertinent questions, making insightful observations, and sharing information. In order to participate, you must be present in class. It would be wise to come prepared to class with questions from the readings and to develop additional questions from the presentation(s). 

 

I understand that there are circumstances that may arise throughout the semester that prevent a student from attending class. Verified excused absences include those resulting from death or illness of a family member, pre-approved university sponsored activity, or religious holiday (see MU Graduate Catalog). In the case of an unexcused absence in which an assignment is due, you will be expected to get that material to me somehow on the assigned date. Otherwise, 5 points will be deducted from the assignment for each day it is not submitted. Active class participation will account for 15% of your final grade.

 

§  PRESENTATION

Each student will complete a 30 minute presentation on a theoretical perspective of his/her choice from the following list: the positive school, ecology, social learning, subculture, strain/anomie, labeling, conflict/critical, and feminist. The presentation is worth 20% of your final grade. The requirements and grading criteria are listed below.

 

Presentation Requirements:

  • You will have 30 minutes to present the theoretical perspective (and theories within the perspective). If you go over, it is okay, but the cut off time for class presentations will be around 4:45 pm.
  • Some key ideas to guide the outline of your presentation
    • Summarize the perspective/major works based on the readings
    • Remember to cite the author or name the author you are referring to
    • Organize the major tenets/propositions and concepts into manageable parts-how you decide to do this is at your own discretion-be creative/original
    • Use some form of a visual aid (movie clip, PowerPoint, handout, etc.)
    • Think about the types of criminological questions the perspective answers/addresses? What types does it ignore?

 

Presentation Grading Criteria: organization, thorough coverage, presenter’s theoretical understanding and knowledge, use of visual aids/handouts, effective communication, and professionalism.

 

§  RESEARCH PAPER

Students will write a 15 page paper (introduction through conclusion) about a theory of his/her choice and how that theory has been researched, measured, tested, and the empirical results as a whole. A minimum of 10 sources are required. The paper must be typed, double-spaced and written using the APA publication manual. The first part of the paper should describe the theory under review and the second half of the paper should be devoted to how the theory has been empirically tested as well as the empirical results. It would be wise to include charts or diagrams to organize this information. (Your paper topic/theory is due to me by the next class period.) The research paper is worth 25% of your final grade.

 

§  ADDITIONAL POLICIES

 

            Academic Dishonesty:

I would assume that every student is familiar with MU’s Dishonesty policy.  If a student violates this policy, discretion will be used by the instructor depending on the severity of the offense. The sanctions may include but are not limited to lowering of a grade on a paper, lowering the final course grade, or failing the course. 

 

For those of you who need a reminder about the policy, please refer to the statement below.

 

According to the Student Handbook (2003-2004):

 

Violations of this standard include but are not limited to: 1.A.  All forms of academic misconduct, wherever committed, as defined in the Statement of Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities. Such misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or falsification of data, or collaboration with others on an academic assignment unless specifically permitted by the instructor. Under West Virginia Board of Governors Policy Bulletin No. 60, disciplinary action for academic misconduct will, in most cases, be the responsibility of the academic unit in which the misconduct occurred. Sanctions and appeal routes for academic misconduct are described in the Statement of Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities. (pp. 40-41)

            Extra Credit:

There will be no opportunities to receive extra credit in this course.

 

            Classroom Civility:

1.      All students are expected to be in class on time (including exam days).

2.      All pagers, wireless phones, electronic games, radios, tape or CD players, or other

             electronic devices must be turned off before you enter the classroom.

            2a.  Text messaging during class is prohibited.

3.      All individual conversations are not permitted.

4.      Any questions that pertain to the syllabus, assignments, or grades should be asked

            before or after the lecture/discussion begins. Questions asked during the lecture

             must be relevant to the topic being discussed.

5.      Respect different opinions and keep an open mind.

6.      All students are expected to abide by the academic integrity policy-this means no cheating or plagiarizing!

7.      Students are expected to speak one at a time. Do not be disruptive.

8.      Working on other materials during class time is considered disruptive not only to the instructor but to other classmates as well.

9.      Do not use class time to catch up on your ZZZZZ’s.

10.  Support your fellow classmates and reward each other with positive remarks/comments.

 

            The DeTardo-Bora Policy:

As students have a code of conduct to follow, I believe the instructor should follow one      as well. Throughout this course, I will make an effort to see that the following responsibilities are carried out (these responsibilities were adapted from McKeachie, 1999).

            1. I will encourage the free pursuit of learning.

            2. I will demonstrate respect for students.

            3. I will respect confidentiality.

            4. I will model the best scholarly and ethical standards.

            5. I will foster honest academic conduct and ensure fair evaluation.

            6. I will avoid exploitation, harassment, or discrimination.

 

Tentative Course Outline: CJ 604 Spring 2008

Week

Date

Topic/Assigned Readings

Source

1

1/17

Introduction to the course

CA Introduction

 

 

Theory Overview & Evaluation Criteria

 

 

 

 

 

2

1/24

The Classical School and Rational Choice Theories

 

 

 

Beccaria, Stafford & Warr, Clarke & Cornish, Cohen & Felson

CA pp. 18-28 & Part X, & Part XI pp. 427-443

 

 

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation-Bentham

Jacoby pp. 105-108

 

 

Modeling Offenders’ Decisions: A Framework for Research and Policy-Clarke and Cornish

Jacoby pp. 109-118

 

 

 

 

3

1/31

The Positive School & Individual Trait Theories

 

 

 

Lombroso, Glueck & Glueck, Ellis & Walsh, Rowe, Caspi et al., Brennan & Raine

CA pp. 29-66 & Part II

 

 

Criminal Man- Lombroso-Ferrero

Jacoby pp. 141-156

 

 

The Jukes: A Study in Crime, Pauperism, & Heredity-Dugdale

Jacoby pp. 157-164

 

 

Feeble-mindedness-Goddard

Jacoby pp. 165-171

 

 

The American Criminal-Hooten

Jacoby pp. 180-191

 

 

Crime and Human Nature-Wilson & Hernstein

Jacoby pp. 199-207

 

 

Student Presentation (Steve Smith) & Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

4

2/7

Social Ecology & The Chicago School

 

 

 

Shaw & McKay, Sampson & Wilson, Sampson et al.

CA Part III

 

 

Environmental Criminology-Brantingham & Brantingham

Jacoby pp. 61-70

 

 

Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety-Wilson & Kelling

Jacoby pp. 468-475

 

 

Student Presentation (James Zaghawski) & Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

5

2/14

Social Learning Theories

 

 

 

Sutherland & Cressey, Sykes & Matza, Akers

CA Part IV pp.115-146

 

 

The Professional Thief-Sutherland

Jacoby pp. 9-12

 

 

White-Collar Criminality-Sutherland

Jacoby pp. 13-18

 

 

A Differential Association-Reinforcement Theory of Criminal Behavior-Burgess & Akers

Jacoby pp. 275-282

 

 

Student Presentation (Alaina Harvey) & Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

6

2/21

Subculture Theories

 

 

 

Wolfgang & Ferracuti, Anderson, Cohen, Cloward & Ohlin

CA Part IV pp. 147-161, Part V pp. 179-190

 

 

What is a Gang?-Thrasher

Jacoby pp. 4-8

 

 

Cutlure Conflict & Crime-Sellin

Jacoby pp. 235-239

 

 

The Content of the Delinquent Subculture-Cohen

Jacoby pp. 248-253