Course Syllabus

CRIME CAUSATION (CRMJ 4151 – 3 CREDITS)

Spring 2020

Tuesday: 4:10pm – 7:00pm

Distance – Zoom Meetings

 

INSTRUCTOR:       Dr. Katelyn A. Golladay

OFFICE:                    Arts & Sciences Building 305

OFFICE HOURS:    Wednesday: 10:00am - 11:00am

                                    Thursday: 11:00am - 1:00pm

                                    Or by appointment

EMAIL:                     kgollada@uwyo.edu

 

GRADUATE ASSISTANT:            Clarissa Anderson Nord

OFFICE:                                            Arts & Sciences Building 313D

OFFICE HOURS:                            Tuesday: 11:00am – 12:30pm

                                                            Thursday: 8:00am – 9:30am

EMAIL:                                             cander75@uwyo.edu

 

Required Texts:

           

Snipes, J. B., Bernard, T. J., & Gerould A. L. (2020). VOLD’s Theoretical Criminology (8^th Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

 

Cullen, F. T., Agnew, R., and Wilcox, P. (2017). Criminological Theory: Past to Present (6^th Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

 

Additional materials provided on WyoCourses

 

Course Description:

 

Examines the causal mechanisms that produce crime. Theoretical perspectives and empirical research from various disciplines will be evaluated, with particular emphasis placed on social factors that may cause crime. Policy implications of the different perspectives will be discussed.

 

Course Prerequisite:

 

CRMJ 1001, CRMJ 2210, and CRMJ/SOC 2400

 

Learning Goals:

 

The objectives of this course are:

1. To gain knowledge of main theoretical perspectives in criminology.
2. To critically and objectively examine current research, topics, and policy related to various theories.
3. To synthesize knowledge on theories through class discussion and written assignments.
4. To develop critical thinking and analytic skills through class discussion and written assignments.

 

 

Course Organization: The course learning goals will be achieved by readings, lectures, class discussions, exams, and written assignments.

 

1. Readings: Unless otherwise specified, reading assignments are taken from the required resources specified above. The reading assignments listed for each class are those readings, which a student must complete before the class in order to be prepared for class that week. Not all the readings will be discussed in class; however, all assigned readings may be covered on exams or other assignments.

 

1. Lectures: Some of the topic areas will be covered within lecture. Topics covered within lecture may be covered on exams or other assignments.

 

1. Class Discussions/Participation: This is an upper-division, seminar style class, in-depth discussion over the assigned readings will compromise a majority of class periods. Because discussion is essential to this course, it is crucial that you read assigned materials prior to class time. In addition, it is important that you comprehend and integrate the assigned readings so that you can participate in class discussion. You will receive 5-points will be awarded per class based on your participation level. Your top 10 participation scores will be counted toward your final grade. If you are unable to make it to the live lecture over Zoom, a discussion board post may be submitted as a way to make-up in-class participation points.

 

1. Content Papers: There will be a total of four (4) content papers due throughout the course of the semester. These papers will serve as a way to review, discuss, and analyze the theories we discuss in class. Please see the “Content Paper Assignment” document on WyoCourses for further instructions and the grading rubric. Content papers will be due on: February 14^th, March 6^th, April 3^rd, and April 24^th.

 

1. Current Event Assignments: One of the learning goals of this course is to be able to apply the information that you have learned in class to the real world. You will hand in two written assignments that outline a current event and apply some concept from the course to that current event. Please see the “Current Event Assignments” document for more detailed instructions. Current events will be due on: February 28^th and April 17^th.

 

1. Final Paper Assignments: There will be a total of three (3) assignments due throughout the semester that will relate to your final paper. Please see the “Final Paper Assignment” document for further detailed instructions. Final paper assignments will be due on: February 7^th, March 12^th, and April 10^th.

 

1. Final Paper: You will have a choice between two final paper options. Please see the “Final Paper Assignment” document for further detailed instructions. The final paper will be due on May 1st.

 

1. Exams: There will be a total of two (2) exams over the course of the semester. Exams will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. All exams are closed book. You will be permitted the use of ONE 4x6 notecard as your source of notes.

 

Make-up exams will be given only under the following conditions:

1. Participation in organized school activities
2. Death in the immediate family.
3. Illness (with doctor’s written excuse).
4. Special circumstances that are approved to be appropriate by the instructor.

 

Make-up exams will only be given to those students who have discussed their absence with the instructor and have a legitimate excuse. Legitimate excuses do not include sleeping in, leaving early for breaks, work schedules, or other such excuses. Make-up exams will need to be scheduled with the instructor.

University excuse: In order to be excused from an exam, a valid University excuse or doctor’s excuse must be obtained. University excuses can be obtained from the Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Life (OSL) will provide the excuse, provided the students’ absence meet the criteria for an authorized absence. For further information on obtaining an excused absence, contact the OSL or visit their website at: http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/OSL/absences.htm. Doctor’s excuses must be obtained from your attending physician. Be advised that student health does not provide excused absences. These excuses must be for the exam date and must state that you were unable to attend the class period that day. Doctor’s appointments do not constitute an excused absence. Excuses need to be presented to the instructor by the class period following the excused absence to be accepted.

Honorlock will proctor your exams this semester. Honorlock is an online proctoring service that allows you to take your exam from the comfort of your home. You DO NOT need to create an account, download software or schedule an appointment in advance. Honorlock is available 24/7 and all that is needed is a computer, a working webcam, and a stable Internet connection. 

To get started, you will need Google Chrome and to download the Honorlock Chrome Extension. You can download the extension at www.honorlock.com/extension/install

When you are ready to test, log into Canvas, go to your course, and click on your exam. Clicking "Launch Proctoring" will begin the Honorlock authentication process, where you will take a picture of yourself, show your ID, and complete a scan your room. Honorlock will be recording your exam session by webcam as well as recording your screen. Honorlock also has an integrity algorithm that can detect search-engine use, so please do not attempt to search for answers, even if it's on a secondary device. 

Honorlock support is available 24/7/365. If you encounter any issues, you may contact them by live chat, phone (855-828-4004), and/or email (support@honorlock.com). 

Classroom Behavior Policy:

At all times, treat your presence in the classroom and your enrollment in this course as you would a job. Act professionally, arrive on time, pay attention, complete your work in a timely and professional manner, and treat all deadlines seriously. You will be respectful towards your classmates and instructor. Spirited debate and disagreement are to be expected in any classroom and all views will be heard fully, but at all times we will behave civilly and with respect towards one another. Personal attacks, offensive language, name-calling, and dismissive gestures are not warranted in a learning atmosphere. As the instructor, I have the right to dismiss you from the classroom, study session, electronic forums, and other areas where disruptive behavior occurs. Toward that end, I expect everyone to abide by the following rules of etiquette:

• Please be “on time” to class. Tardiness is disruptive to the lecture or other class activities.
• I expect that as students, you will come to class prepared, having read the material required for that day. This will help enable us to have a lively discussion in class and allow you to ask pertinent questions regarding the material.
• Chatting during lecture, class discussion, or other class activities is distracting and inappropriate.
• Please raise your hand to speak in class unless I specifically instruct the class that students may speak-out as part of a debate or other classroom activity. Keep in mind that it is not appropriate for anyone to dominate classroom discussion routinely. Nor is it appropriate to interrupt either the professor or a fellow classmate with some point you want to make, no matter how eagerly you want to make the point.
• Although you are welcome to disagree with the professor or your classmates, everyone is expected to participate respectfully. Students who engage in personal attacks; who use rude, insulting, or disrespectful language; or who engage in other disruptive or threatening behavior may face disciplinary action.
• Non-passing grades are your responsibility, not the professor’s. I am more than willing to assist you in any way if you are struggling in the class. However, this means coming to see me early, not the last several weeks of the course.
• Please do not start putting books away, closing up notebooks, and zipping up book-bags before the end of class. This can be disruptive and distracting to both the instructor and your classmates.

Electronics:

Students may use computers during class to take notes. If at any time the computer becomes distracting or a student is using their computer for reasons other than taking notes, they will be asked to put their computer away and will not be permitted to use their computer for the remainder of the semester. Please refrain from using cell phones or any other electronic devices during class time. Pictures, voice recordings, or digital recordings during lectures is strictly prohibited.

Grading:

 

            Points will be divided between assignments as follows:

 

            Final Paper                                          100 points

Final Paper Assignment #1                  10 points                  

            Final Paper Assignment #2                  20 points      

            Final Paper Assignment #3                  20 points        

            Exams (2)                                           200 points (100 points each)                

            Content Papers (4)                              100 points (25 points each)

            Current Event Assignment                   50 points (25 points each)    

            Class Participation (10)                        50 points (5 points each)       TOTAL: 550 points

Your grades will be determined by the following scale:

 

PERCENT	GRADE
90.00% - 100.00%	A
80.00% - 89.99%	B
70.00% - 79.99%	C
60.00% - 69.99%	D
0.00% - 59.99%	F

 

 

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

 

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Cases of academic dishonesty will be treated in accordance with UW Regulation 2-114. The penalties for academic dishonesty can include, at my discretion, an “F” on an exam, an “F” on the class component exercise, and/or an “F” in the entire course. Academic dishonesty means anything that represents someone else’s ideas at your own without attribution. It is intellectual theft – stealing – and includes (but is not limited to) unapproved assistance on examinations, plagiarism (use of any amount of another person’s writings, blog posts, publications, and other materials without attributing that material to that person with citations), or fabrication of reference information. Facilitation of another person’s academic dishonesty is also considered academic dishonesty and will be treated identically.

 

Other Important Policies:

 

1. Drop/Withdrawal Policies: For information on dropping/withdrawing from a class, see this page on UW’s website: https://www.uwyo.edu/registrar/students/registration_information.html

 

1. Extra Credit: There is no planned extra credit for this course. Opportunities for extra credit may arise during the semester but is not guaranteed and students should not rely on extra credit to improve their grade.

 

1. Copyright: All class materials are designed by the instructor and all class lectures are the intellectual property of the instructor and are protected by the federal copyright law. Any unauthorized copying – including video-recording, audio-recording-, and stenographic transcriptions of the class lectures – is strictly prohibited. All rights are reserved by the instructor. Written permission must be secured from the instructor in order to sell the instructor’s oral communication in the form of notes. Notes must have the note-taker’s name as well as the instructor’s name, the course number, and the date.

 

Classroom Statement on Diversity:

 

The University of Wyoming values an educational environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The diversity that students and faculty bring to class, including age, country of origin, culture, disability, economic class, ethnicity, gender identity, immigration status, linguistic, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, worldview, and other social and cultural diversity is valued, respected, and considered a resource for learning.

Duty to Report:

 

UW faculty are committed to supporting students and upholding the University’s non-discrimination policy. Under Title IX, discrimination based upon sex and gender is prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex- or gender-based discrimination, we encourage you to report it. While you may talk to a faculty member, understand that as a "Responsible Employee" of the University, the faculty member MUST report information you share about the incident to the university’s Title IX Coordinator (you may choose whether you or anyone involved is identified by name). If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you privacy or confidentiality, there are people who can meet with you. Faculty can help direct you or you may find info about UW policy and resources at http://www.uwyo.edu/reportit.

You do not have to go through the experience alone. Assistance and resources are available, and you are not required to make a formal complaint or participate in an investigation to access them. However, please be aware that I have some reporting requirements that are part of my job requirements at UW.

For example, if you inform me of an issue of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination I will keep the information as private as I can, but I am required to bring it to the attention of the institution’s Title IX Coordinator. If you would like to talk to those offices directly, you can contact Equal Opportunity Report and Response (Bureau of Mines Room 319, 766-5200, report-it@uwyo.edu, www.uwyo.edu/reportit). Additionally, you can also report incidents or complaints to the UW Police Department. You can also get support at the STOP Violence program (stopviolence@uwyo.edu, www.uwyo.edu/stop, 766-3296) (or SAFE Project (www.safeproject.org, campus@safeproject.org, 766-3434, 24-Hour hotline: 745-3556).

Another common example is if you are struggling with an issue that may be traumatic or unusual stress. I will likely inform the Dean of Students Office or Counseling Center. If you would like to reach out directly to them for assistance, you can contact them using the info below or going to www.uwyo.edu/dos/uwyocares.

Finally, know that if, for some reason, our interaction involves a disruptive behavior or potential violation of policy, I inform the Dean of Students, even when you and I may have reached an informal resolution to the incident. The purpose of this is to keep the Dean apprised of any behaviors and what was done to resolve them. 

 

Special Learning Needs:

 

It is University of Wyoming policy to accommodate students, faculty, staff, and visitors will disabilities. If you have a physical, learning, sensory, or psychological disability and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. You will need to register with University Disability Support Services (UDSS) in the Student Educational Opportunity offices, Room 128 Knight Hall, and provide UDSS with documentations of your disability. Additional information on UDSS can be found at the following address: http://www.uwyo.edu/udss/

 

WyoCourses:

 

As a resource for this class, a WyoCourse site is available to you. This site provides the opportunity to have all of the course materials in one place that is accessible to everyone. Assignments and announcement will be posted to this site. As part of the requirements for this class, you are expected to check and use this site regularly. Make sure to check your UW email as the address that will be utilized for any posted announcements.

 

Disclaimer:

 

The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. I will make every effort to avoid changing the course schedule, but the possibility exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus changes necessary. I therefore reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus. In order to stay current with announcements regarding the schedule, you will need to attend and be on time for class

 

 

 

Course Schedule:

Chapters = Vold’s Theoretical Criminology

Readings = Criminological Theory: Past to Present

** PDF available on WyoCourses

 

Week #1 (Jan. 27^th – Jan. 31^st) – Introduction & Theory and Crime

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 1 “Theory and Crime”
• Chapter 2 “Theory and Policy in Context”
• **Tittle (1995) – Chapter 2 “Features of an Adequate Theory”

 

Week #2 (Feb. 3^rd – Feb. 7^th) – Classical Criminology

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 3 “Classical Criminology”
• Reading 28 “Reconceptualizing Deterrence Theory”
• Reading 29 “Crime as a Rational Choice”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, February 7^th: Final Paper Assignment #1 Due

 

Week #3 (Feb. 10^th – Feb. 14^th) – Biological Factors, Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior

 

Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 4 “Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior”
• Chapter 5 “Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior”
• Reading 35 “Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency”
• Reading 36 “Biology and Crime”
• Reading 37 “Personality and Crime: Are Some People Crime Prone?”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, February 14^th: Content Paper #1 Due

 

Week #4 (Feb. 17^th – Feb. 21^st) – Durkheim, Anomie, Modernization, and Strain Theories

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 6 “Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization”
• Chapter 7 “Strain Theories”
• Reading 9 “Social Structure and Anomie”
• Reading 11 “Crime and the American Dream”
• Reading 12 “Pressured Into Crime: General Strain Theory”

 

 

 

Week #5 (Feb. 24^th – Feb. 28^th) – Neighborhoods and Crime

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 8 “Neighborhoods and Crime”
• Reading Part II Intro “The Chicago School: The City, Social Disorganization, and Crime”
• Reading 3 “Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas”
• Reading 4 “Collective Efficacy and Crime”
• Reading 5 “Legal Cynicism and Crime”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, February 28^th: Current Event #1 Due

 

Week #6 (March 2^nd – March 6^th) – Learning Theories

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 9 “Learning Theories”
• Reading Part III Intro “Learning to Be a Criminal: Differential Association, Subcultural, and Social Learning Theories”
• Reading 6 “A Theory of Differential Association”
• Reading 7 “A Social Learning Theory of Crime”
• Reading 8 “The Code of the Street”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, March 6^th: Content Paper #2 Due

 

Week #7 (March 9^th – March 13^th) – Review & Exam I

 

            No Assigned Readings

 

Due this week:

• Friday, March 13^th: Final Paper Assignment #2 Due
• Exam I: Available from Tuesday, March 10^th at 8:00am to Thursday, March 12^th at 11:59pm

 

Week #8 (March 16^th – March 20^th) – Spring Break

 

Week #9 (March 23^rd – March 27^th) – Control Theories

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 10 “Control Theories”
• Reading Part V Intro “Varieties of Control Theory”
• Reading 13 “Techniques of Neutralization”
• Reading 14 “Social Bond Theory”
• Reading 15 “A General Theory of Crime”

 

 

Week #10 (March 30^th – April 3^rd) – Conflict Criminology

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 11 “Conflict Criminology”
• Additional Readings

 

Due this week:

• Friday, April 3^rd: Content Paper #3 Due

 

Week #11 (April 6^th – April 10^th) – Marxist, Postmodern, & Green Criminology

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 12: “Marxist, Postmodern, and Green Criminology”
• Reading Part VII Intro “Critical Criminology: Power, Peace, and Crime”
• Reading 19 “Criminality and Economic Conditions”
• Reading 20 “Crime in a Market Place”
• Reading 21 “Crime and Coercion”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, April 10^th: Final Paper Assignment #3 Due

 

Week #12 (April 13^th – April 17^th) – Gender and Crime

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 13 “Gender and Crime”
• Reading Part VIII Intro “Feminist Theories: Gender, Power, and Crime”
• Reading 22 “Sisters in Crime”
• Reading 23 “A Feminist Theory of Female Delinquency”
• Reading 25 “Getting Played”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, April 17^th: Current Event #2 Due

 

Week #13 (April 20^th – April 24^th) – Developmental and Life-Course Theories

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 14 “Developmental and Life-Course Theories”
• Reading Part XIII Intro “Getting Into and Out of Crime: Life-Course Theories”
• Reading 38 “Pathways in the Life Course to Crime”
• Reading 39 “A Theory of Persistent Offending and Desistance from Crime”
• Reading 40 “The Feared Self: An Identity Theory of Desistance”

 

Due this week:

• Friday, April 24th: Content Paper #4 Due

 

 

Week #14 (April 27^th – May 1^st) – Integrated Theories

 

            Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 15 “Integrated Theories”
• Reading Part XVI Intro “Pulling It All Together: Integrated Theories of Crime”
• Reading 46 “Why Criminals Offend: A General Theory of Crime and Delinquency”
• Reading 47 “Situational Action Theory”

 

            Due this week:

• Friday, May 1st: Final Paper Due

 

Week #15 (May 4^th – May 8^th) – Race & Crime/Review

 

            Assigned Readings:

• Reading Part XV Intro “How Black Lives Matter: Theoretical Developments”
• Reading 43 “A Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality”
• Reading 44 “Imprisoned Communities: Coerced Mobility Theory”
• Reading 45 “A Theory of African American Offending”

 

FINAL EXAM:

Monday, May 11^th (7:00pm – 9:00pm)

Available from Monday, May 11^th at 8:00am to Wednesday, May 13^th at 11:59pm