El Camino College Fall 2016 Sociology 112-2987 Introduction to Criminology MW Lecture 1:00-2:25pm ARTB Room 344 Instructor: Robert Osterman rosterman@elcamino.edu Office Hours: W- 2:30pm by appointment Course Description: This course introduces students to the scientific analysis of crime and deviance. Sociological concepts and theories are used to analyze the nature, extent, and cause of crime and deviance; theoretical explanations for criminal and deviant behavior will be discussed. The dynamics of law, social control, treatment processes, and victimology will be evaluated. ADA Statement: El Camino College is committed to providing educational accommodations for students with disabilities upon the timely request by the student to the instructor. A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Special Resources Center. To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Special Resources Center. Recommended Text: Siegel, Larry J. Criminology: The Core. 5th Edition. Cengage Learning, 2015. Required Text: Thio, Calhoun, Conyer Readings in Deviant Behavior. 11 th Edition, Pearson 2012 Classroom standards: There will be no make-ups for missed exams or quizzes. Attendance and class participation is mandatory. Always be courteous to your fellow students and refrain from interrupting or talking during lectures.
We expect to have lively and stimulating discussions on a variety of controversial subjects. So, it is critical to respect our diverse perspectives and opinions. Please, display a tolerant respectful attitude toward your classmates at all times. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please turn off all electronic devices prior to entering the classroom. Cell phones may not be on the desktop during class. Plagiarism (copying directly from a source without specifying the source) is prohibited. Student Learning Objectives: SLO#1 Sociological Theoretical Perspectives- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of theoretical perspectives and apply sociological perspectives such as rational choice theory, social process theories, social structures theories, and developmental theories, to issues of crime and criminal behavior. SLO#2 Sociological Concepts- Students will define and demonstrate an understanding of sociological concepts, such as crime, crime rates, crime typology, social control, and social harm, by applying them to issues of crime and criminal behavior. Student Code of Conduct http://www.elcamino.edu/administration/board/boarddocs/5500%20%20academic %20Honesty.pdf Student Rights and Grievances Procedure 5530 http://www.elcamino.edu/administration/board/policies.asp Couse Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should be able to: Define the concept of criminology and explain its goals, purposes and objectives. Describe the principles, procedures and methodologies used by criminologists in the collection of crime data. Analyze various acts of criminality and describe their social, cultural, biological and psychological etiologies. Define the sociological terms and concepts used within the field of criminology to identify crime and criminal behavior.
Compare and contrast the sociological theories used to explain crime and criminal behavior. Compare and contrast rates of crime and variations of criminality from historical and cross-cultural perspectives. Describe society s changing response to, and treatment of, victims. Identify the various theoretical perspectives and sociological paradigms used to examine, interpret and analyze crime and criminal behavior. Describe the importance of social norms and explain why they exist in all cultures as a way to maintain social control. Differentiate between the roles of the police, courts, and corrections in enforcing, sanctioning and punishing criminal acts. Analyze crime data to determine sociological patterns and trends. Course Assignments, Points and Grading: Class Participation and Attendance: Participation in class discussions and exercises is expected and will be part of your grade. Attendance, being on time, attentiveness, reading all assignments and showing courtesy to fellow students will all be taken into consideration. (20 points possible) NOTE: DISCUSSION IS MANDATORY Assignments: The course may include both, in-class and out-of-class written assignments, presentations and journals. (120 points possible-combined) Exams: A Midterm and a Final Exam will be administered in this course. Midterm and Final Exams may include: multiple choice, short answer or true/false questions from lecture, readings and/or presentations. Students must bring a green scantron (Form 882 E) and a sharpened no. 2 pencil to each exam. No makeup exams will be permitted. 100 points possible for each exam.
Overall Point Totals: Overall Grading Scale: Exams = 200 325-290 = A Excellent Assignments = 120 289-256 = B Good Bonus Points = 5 255-224 = C Satisfactory Total Possible = 325 223 192 = D Passing 191-0 = F Failing Student Record Assignments score Exams score Presentation (50) Midterm Exam (100) Attendance and Participation(20) Essay (50) Final Exam (100) Add scores Add scores Assignment Total (120) Exam Total (200) Overall Total Assignment total Exam total Bonus Points (5 Possible) Total points earned (325) Grade
Schedule (Subject to Change) Week Date Assignments/Exams 1 8/29 8/31 1 st Day of Class (Introduction and Orientation) Assign Presentations. Lecture: Introduction and History of Criminology 2 9/5 Lecture: Introduction and History of Criminology 9/7 Lecture: Introduction and History of Criminology 3 9/12 Lecture: Crime Data and Trends 9/14 Lecture: Crime Data and Trends 4 9/19 Lecture: Victims of Crime 9/21 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 5 9/26 Lecture: Rational Choice Theory 9/28 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 6 10/3 Lecture: Social Structure Theory & Review 10/5 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) Report 1 Report 2 Report 3 7 10/10 Test Midterm 10/12 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 8 10/17 Lecture: Trait Theory 10/19 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 9 10/24 Catch up 10/26 Catch up 10 10/31 Lecture: Transnational Crime 11/2 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 11 11/7 Lecture: Violence Report 4 Report 5 Report 6
11/9 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 12 11/14 Lecture: Property Crime 11/16 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 13 11/21 Lecture: Public Order Crimes 11/23 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 14 11/28 Lecture: The Criminal Justice System 11/30 (Readings in Deviant Behavior) 15 12/5 Lecture: Gangs 12/7 Lecture: The Criminal Justice System / HRHN 16 12/12 Review 12/14 FINAL EXAM Report 7 Report 8 Report 9 Report 10