CCJ 5015
Syllabus
Course Schedule/Synopsis of Lectures
Course Description: The Nature of Crime addresses the question why people commit crime or act in a deviant manner. This course will provide graduate students with a general understanding of the main theoretical perspectives dominating contemporary criminology. Since no theoretical perspective can adequately account for the production of categories of crime, the perpetration of crime, and control of criminal behavior, this course will focus on diverse explanations of each.
In the process, we will:
1) focus on both classical and contemporary approaches to the study of crime;
2) identify the range of theoretical approaches in the scholarly literature; and
3) assess the strengths and limitations of these approaches in light of empirical evidence.
A broad array of theories will be reviewed and analyzed. Theories from biology, psychology, social psychology and sociology will be presented. Particular attention is paid in the analysis to empirical support for that particular theory. Research that supports or questions varied perspectives will be discussed. Implications for criminal justice policy and process will be discussed within the context of each perspective. Additional needed research will also be highlighted.
Course Objectives:
Provide an understanding of current theories of crime and deviance.
Provide the student with an understanding of the current issues relative to the origins of criminal behavior.
Develop student understanding of the interaction between biology, psychology, sociology and behavior
Familiarize students with the implications of crime theories for social policy.
Provide an initial understanding of the complexity that plagues interventions to reduce crime and deviant behavior at both the individual and group level.
To develop students writing and analytic skills.
To provide graduate students an academic understanding of the key issues and concepts relative to the nature of crime.
Method of Teaching: Lecture and Class Discussion, Video and PowerPoint Presentations. Student led discussions. Class materials will be available on the web at www.daytona.ucf.edu/bford.
Course Requirements:
A. Required Text: Students will be expected to read text. Each lecture will have associated assigned readings from the text. Additional readings will be provided on the web. Assigned Readings will be posted on the web site.
B. Course testing: Final essay exam( counts 50% of grade); research exercise (Literature review) (25% of grade); Attendance/participation (25%).
C. Grading Traditional 90 to 100 A 80 to 89 B 70 to 79 C. Exam will be curved if appropriate.
D. Make-ups will only be granted for important reasons. Permission must be sought in advance.
E. Course Attendance is expected. Student will be marked down for unapproved absences. Attendance and class participation will account for up to one-quarter of grade.
Textbook: Ronald L. Akers Criminological Theories: Introduction and Evaluation 2nd ed. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers (1999) [available at bookstore at Valencia Community College]
Research Exercise: The student will review and summarize available research, hypotheses and descriptive overviews for one set of theories (example biological theories) or a specific theory (example phrenology). A bibliography will be developed describing the works utilized. This exercise will follow the following format:
Topic/ Introduction:
Why is this topic important? Why did you choose it? What are the policy issues related to this topic?
Literature Review:
Review each significant research, overview previous discussions on this topic, discuss current thinking and hypotheses relevant to the chosen topic.
Discussion:
Analyze findings, review strengths and weaknesses of current research. Discuss current thinking and hypotheses relative to this topic. What are the policy implications of current findings?
Summary and Conclusions:
What additional research is needed? What is the nature of the needed research? How should it be structured and conducted?
Bibliography:
All items used or reviewed are to be cited. Materials reviewed but not cited should also appear in the bibliography. Tables and descriptive statistics are to be used when appropriate. All materials used must be cited. Reports are to be typed. Neatness, proper citation and grammar counts. Choice of topic and an overview of how the topic is to be approached is due January 25. The final paper is due March 1. Students will be called upon in class to discuss their interim findings…be prepared.
Style:
Your goal should be to write, or begin the process of writing, a paper that is of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional conference. I encourage you to become involved in the organizations, either national (ASA, SSSP, ASC, ACJS, Law and Society Association, etc.) or local (Western Society of Criminology, Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice, Pacific Sociological Association, etc.). Once presented, you should consider revisions necessary to begin the publication process. This is especially true if you plan to continue your formal education past the Master's degree.
Papers should follow a certain format. Click here for information or here for more (use back button to return to this page). In addition, papers should follow APA style, which is described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (4th edition, 1994). Information on APA and MLA styles can be found at http://tlc.ai.org/style.htm .