HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Holyoke, MA 01040

SYLLABUS

CRJ 117: Criminology

Summer 2009

NOTE: Events, activities, and assignments subject to change as deemed necessary by the instructor.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Professor Mónica H. Pérez, J.D.

E-mail: Use WebCT e-mail set up on course site

Office: FR 166

Office Hours: E-mail with questions/issues. No on-site office hours

during summer term.

Phone: 413-552-2413

COURSE INFORMATION

Meeting Day(s)/Times(s): This is an online course. All information, assignments, interaction, and communication is facilitated online through WebCT.

Be advised that this format requires that students work in an independent manner. Therefore, self-discipline

and pacing of work to meet established deadlines are critical factors in successfully completing this class.

Course Description: Origin and development of crime, the relationship between law and crime, theories of social and psychological factors

in criminal and delinquent behavior, current programs for treatment and prevention.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 110 or PSY 110

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students completing this course should be able to:

ü develop familiarity with sociological perspectives and understand the mutual relevance of sociology and criminology;

ü review and develop knowledge of the historical development of explanations of crime and deviance from theology to science;

ü become familiar with major social patterns of criminal behavior including the influence of gender, class, race, and age;

ü appreciate how victims are defined and develop familiarity with the study and analysis of victimization;

ü develop and utilize quantitative and analytical reasoning skills;

ü understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy;

ü and develop an understanding of the sociological prescription for crime reduction.

TEXTBOOK(S) and SUPPLEMENT(S)

REQUIRED: Criminology: The Core, 3^rd Ed., Larry J. Siegel

Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2007

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

The specified textbook is required for this class. In addition, students must have access to a computer that can interface appropriately with the WebCT format and they must be adequately proficient in keyboarding skills to complete all work in this format. It is strongly suggested that students utilize the course outline in order to pace their work for timely submission. All assignments are submitted online and are due as specified in the syllabus and accompanying course calendar. Exams, when assigned, are also administered online and must be taken as scheduled. No make-up exams will be given. If there are extenuating circumstances that require consideration (i.e., extended illness, serious accident), the student must make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the matter. (This can be done via teleconference.) Proof supporting the student’s position will be required. **NOTE: The final exam week is clearly noted on the course outline and in relevant HCC publications. Take this into account NOW when scheduling work or other activities.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

This format requires that students have access to a computer with an operating system that is compatible with the type of technology used for the course. Students must possess adequate keyboarding skills so that they can complete assignments. Any questions regarding technological problems should be referred to the Distance Learning Help Desk. Please be sure to read announcements posted on the e-Institute Entry Page. Students are required to follow all e-Institute policies and procedures paying particular attention to updating browsers, changing passwords, and expected student conduct. Students who fail to adhere to e-institute guidelines and/or deadlines will have no recourse upon receiving a sanction for a violation.

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES

To be successful professionally, individuals must write well and meet deadlines. Success is based, in large part, on accountability and responsibility. Therefore, all assignments are due online on designated days. Please plan ahead so that you have adequate time to complete the assignment and deal with technological emergencies (i.e., computer failure, disk corruption, printer glitches, etc.). NOTE: Assignments must be saved as specified, attached to an e-mail message, and submitted via the e-mail system set up for this class. Take time to read the information about how to submit assignments so that you understand how to complete the task. Assignments that are not submitted as specified for the online format are subject to a 5-point deduction. Proper essay, reporting, and citation format is required. APA citation format is required in this class. If students need assistance with writing or format, they may access resources through the Learning Center. These services are available on campus and online. There is an icon on the home page that links students to another online writing resource. Students should familiarize themselves with the HCC Student Handbook and take advantage of the resources offered at the Learning Center, Library, media lab, and computer labs if needed. LATE ASSIGNMENTS and EXAMS: Each assignment specifies a preferred date for submission and an extended deadline. A 10-point deduction will be made from the final score for the assignment if a paper is submitted after the preferred deadline. Assignments will not be accepted after the extended deadline. Refer to Student Responsibility section (above) for information regarding extenuating circumstances. Do not, under any circumstances, use Wikipedia as a source. You will be required to use text references and may use source material from other scholarly or reliable web-based sources in your work.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

Readings in the text provide the foundation for “lecture”. Course content, curriculum, and assignment standards are the same for online and on site classes. Students may be directed to websites or other information that will provide contemporary and current information to supplement learning. Students are expected to post comments based on readings and/or current events for purposes of class discussion on the bulletin board. Analytical and interactive assignments will emphasize concepts/techniques/skills that students are learning. Participation in the form of active and productive discussion, writing assignments, and practical application of techniques will be required to reinforce text material and skills involved in this field of work.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Points are earned for completing each assignment. Assignments include but are not limited to introductory exercises, exams, research, discussion/participation, and a comprehensive final exam. Consult assignment sheet for details. Students may print an Evaluation Record (see icon on home page) to keep track of scores on the various assignments.

Ø GRADING: Grading of assignments begins after the preferred date expires. Students can expect to receive scores within 7-10 days. If a delay in grading is expected, the instructor will notify students accordingly.

Ø DISCUSSION: Discussion in this course is student-centered. The instructor provides topics to jump-start discussion; however, students should actively contribute discussion topics as well. The instructor monitors discussion by reading all posts as well as providing clarification as deemed necessary to ensure accuracy of information. In addition, compliance with the online Communication Policy as noted on the e-Institute Entry Page (General Information) is monitored.

Ø RUBRIC: A rubric is a scoring grid used to determine the score for each assignment. A detailed rubric is provided for students on the course home page. Please review the rubric carefully before beginning writing assignments. Grades will be reported to you in the context of the broad categories of Organization and Format, Content and Clarity, and Evaluations/Synthesis/Analysis. If you don’t read the rubric, you won’t know what criteria are included in each category.

INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY

Communication between the instructor and students is critical for classes taught in the online format. In light of this fact, this information will assist students in understanding how to best communicate with the instructor and how quickly they can expect to receive responses.

Ø E-MAIL: Private e-mail has been set up for the course. You may access the e-mail system by using the icon on the home page. Once you click “compose”, you will see the dialog box appear with a gray “browse” button on the right hand side of the “to” line. Click “browse” and the names/addresses of the instructor and students will drop down. Point to the one you want and left click. Once the name is highlighted, click “select”. The address will automatically be entered for you. DAILY: E-mail is checked first thing each morning. It is checked again on most evenings some time between 8PM and 10PM. Responses are composed at those times. WEEKENDS: E-mail is checked on Sundays. There is no set time. NOTE: If you are having difficulty with an assignment, please ask for help in a timely fashion. Most assignments are due on Sunday nights. If you send e-mails very late at night or over the weekend, you will not get a response immediately.

Ø VOICE MAIL: Again, my HCC voice mail can be accessed by calling 413-552-2413. I check voice mail once in the morning and then again in the afternoon. If there is a specific time that is better for you to receive a phone call, please say so in the voice mail message. Always leave a phone number where you prefer to be reached and speak clearly so that your message is understandable. If I can’t understand what you are saying, I will not be able to call you back.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

HCC is committed to the full inclusion of all students. Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require accommodation, should contact the instructor as soon as possible after class begins for the semester and present documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities. Staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities can be reached at 413-552-2417 to request assistance in these matters. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is necessary to support a positive learning experience.

ATTENDANCE POLICY and PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

This career field requires that employees be on time, dependable, and consistent. Although the classroom is a “virtual” one, attendance is an integral part of the learning process. Attendance for this distance learning course involves being “present” in an asynchronous way. This means that the course is set up so that you can do your work at whatever time you wish provided that you meet established deadlines. There are no specific times that all participants must meet to chat or have discussions. A chat board has been set up so that students may engage in real-time discussion if they wish. If students would like to conduct “live” chat with the instructor, a time/day will need to be agreed upon in advance.

The course does require spending time online researching specific topics and posting responses to issues presented by the instructor. Students should be “present” by way of posting comments for ongoing discussions at least twice a week (this interval is recommended, not required). Students are responsible for posting topics that are related to the subject matter. You should find at least three things to discuss each of those times. That means that as I review posting data, I should see 9 postings per week per student. Postings are required for 7 weeks; therefore, the minimum acceptable number of postings would be 63. Your comments need to be substantial and relevant. This means that comments must reflect actual discussion, not just brief responses such as “absolutely” or “I agree/disagree” Participation is required and is worth 25 points toward your final grade. The more “visible” you are, the better. In cases of extended illness or serious accident, the instructor will decide whether or not it will be possible for a student to successfully complete course requirements. Appropriate documentation is required to request consideration in such a case.

HOW THE PARTICIPATION SCORE IS CALCULATED: Your total number of posts is divided by the minimum required. The resulting percentage is the percentage of the 25 available points you will receive. EX: A student records 50 substantial and relevant posts over the course of the term. 50/63 = 79%. 25 x .79= 19.75 (round up to 20). Points earned for participation: 20.

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL: In this online format, dismissal with a grade of “AW” will occur if (1) a student does not log in by the specified day/time; (2) a student fails to submit two of the required assignments; or (3) if a student fails to engage in the required discussion. If a student wishes to withdraw from the course, there is a convenient link on the e-Institute Entry Page for that purpose.

ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY

All HCC policies are in effect regarding academic honesty. Please be sure to review these rules as posted on the e-Institute Entry Page. Your work is to be done by you unless a collaborative effort is assigned and approved. DO NOT use someone else’s words as your own. This is plagiarism and will result in a most negative consequence. If you are considering using plagiarism tools available to you online, DON’T. NOTE: Students who turn in written work without proper citations or a reference page will receive a zero for that assignment. If you have not used citations and have not included a reference page, you may want to explain why; however, students are urged to check work to ensure that all sources are attributed properly.

STUDENT CONDUCT

It is expected that the learning environment will be positive and productive. Therefore, inappropriate and/or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated. Students will communicate in an appropriate and professional manner at all times. Use of profanity is prohibited. Please refer to the Communication Policy which is provided in detail on the e-Institute Entry Page (General Information).

FINAL EXAM

The final exam, if scheduled for this class, will be posted one week before the due date. See calendar for Final Exam Week dates. The exam will be application-based (problem-solving) and comprehensive in nature. MARK THIS IN YOUR CALENDARS NOW. THE FINAL MUST BE TAKEN WHEN SCHEDULED.


	HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Holyoke, MA 01040 SYLLABUS CRJ 117: Criminology Summer 2009 NOTE: Events, activities, and assignments subject to change as deemed necessary by the instructor. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Professor Mónica H. Pérez, J.D. E-mail: Use WebCT e-mail set up on course site Office: FR 166 Office Hours: E-mail with questions/issues. No on-site office hours during summer term. Phone: 413-552-2413 COURSE INFORMATION Meeting Day(s)/Times(s): This is an online course. All information, assignments, interaction, and communication is facilitated online through WebCT. Be advised that this format requires that students work in an independent manner. Therefore, self-discipline and pacing of work to meet established deadlines are critical factors in successfully completing this class. Course Description: Origin and development of crime, the relationship between law and crime, theories of social and psychological factors in criminal and delinquent behavior, current programs for treatment and prevention. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110 or PSY 110 COURSE OBJECTIVES Students completing this course should be able to: ü develop familiarity with sociological perspectives and understand the mutual relevance of sociology and criminology; ü review and develop knowledge of the historical development of explanations of crime and deviance from theology to science; ü become familiar with major social patterns of criminal behavior including the influence of gender, class, race, and age; ü appreciate how victims are defined and develop familiarity with the study and analysis of victimization; ü develop and utilize quantitative and analytical reasoning skills; ü understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy; ü and develop an understanding of the sociological prescription for crime reduction. TEXTBOOK(S) and SUPPLEMENT(S) REQUIRED: Criminology: The Core, 3^rd Ed., Larry J. Siegel Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2007 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY The specified textbook is required for this class. In addition, students must have access to a computer that can interface appropriately with the WebCT format and they must be adequately proficient in keyboarding skills to complete all work in this format. It is strongly suggested that students utilize the course outline in order to pace their work for timely submission. All assignments are submitted online and are due as specified in the syllabus and accompanying course calendar. Exams, when assigned, are also administered online and must be taken as scheduled. No make-up exams will be given. If there are extenuating circumstances that require consideration (i.e., extended illness, serious accident), the student must make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the matter. (This can be done via teleconference.) Proof supporting the student’s position will be required. NOTE: The final exam week is clearly noted on the course outline and in relevant HCC publications. Take this into account NOW when scheduling work or other activities. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS This format requires that students have access to a computer with an operating system that is compatible with the type of technology used for the course. Students must possess adequate keyboarding skills so that they can complete assignments. Any questions regarding technological problems should be referred to the Distance Learning Help Desk. Please be sure to read announcements posted on the e-Institute Entry Page. Students are required to follow all e-Institute policies and procedures paying particular attention to updating browsers, changing passwords, and expected student conduct. Students who fail to adhere to e-institute guidelines and/or deadlines will have no recourse upon receiving a sanction for a violation. ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES To be successful professionally, individuals must write well and meet deadlines. Success is based, in large part, on accountability and responsibility. Therefore, all assignments are due online on designated days. Please plan ahead so that you have adequate time to complete the assignment and deal with technological emergencies (i.e., computer failure, disk corruption, printer glitches, etc.). NOTE: Assignments must be saved as specified, attached to an e-mail message, and submitted via the e-mail system set up for this class. Take time to read the information about how to submit assignments so that you understand how to complete the task. Assignments that are not submitted as specified for the online format are subject to a 5-point deduction. Proper essay, reporting, and citation format is required. APA citation format is required in this class. If students need assistance with writing or format, they may access resources through the Learning Center. These services are available on campus and online. There is an icon on the home page that links students to another online writing resource. Students should familiarize themselves with the HCC Student Handbook and take advantage of the resources offered at the Learning Center, Library, media lab, and computer labs if needed. LATE ASSIGNMENTS and EXAMS: Each assignment specifies a preferred date for submission and an extended deadline. A 10-point deduction will be made from the final score for the assignment if a paper is submitted after the preferred deadline. Assignments will not be accepted after the extended deadline. Refer to Student Responsibility section (above) for information regarding extenuating circumstances. Do not, under any circumstances, use Wikipedia as a source. You will be required to use text references and may use source material from other scholarly or reliable web-based sources in your work. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION Readings in the text provide the foundation for “lecture”. Course content, curriculum, and assignment standards are the same for online and on site classes. Students may be directed to websites or other information that will provide contemporary and current information to supplement learning. Students are expected to post comments based on readings and/or current events for purposes of class discussion on the bulletin board. Analytical and interactive assignments will emphasize concepts/techniques/skills that students are learning. Participation in the form of active and productive discussion, writing assignments, and practical application of techniques will be required to reinforce text material and skills involved in this field of work. METHOD OF EVALUATION Points are earned for completing each assignment. Assignments include but are not limited to introductory exercises, exams, research, discussion/participation, and a comprehensive final exam. Consult assignment sheet for details. Students may print an Evaluation Record (see icon on home page) to keep track of scores on the various assignments. Ø GRADING: Grading of assignments begins after the preferred date expires. Students can expect to receive scores within 7-10 days. If a delay in grading is expected, the instructor will notify students accordingly. Ø DISCUSSION: Discussion in this course is student-centered. The instructor provides topics to jump-start discussion; however, students should actively contribute discussion topics as well. The instructor monitors discussion by reading all posts as well as providing clarification as deemed necessary to ensure accuracy of information. In addition, compliance with the online Communication Policy as noted on the e-Institute Entry Page (General Information) is monitored. Ø RUBRIC: A rubric is a scoring grid used to determine the score for each assignment. A detailed rubric is provided for students on the course home page. Please review the rubric carefully before beginning writing assignments. Grades will be reported to you in the context of the broad categories of Organization and Format, Content and Clarity, and Evaluations/Synthesis/Analysis. If you don’t read the rubric, you won’t know what criteria are included in each category. INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY Communication between the instructor and students is critical for classes taught in the online format. In light of this fact, this information will assist students in understanding how to best communicate with the instructor and how quickly they can expect to receive responses. Ø E-MAIL: Private e-mail has been set up for the course. You may access the e-mail system by using the icon on the home page. Once you click “compose”, you will see the dialog box appear with a gray “browse” button on the right hand side of the “to” line. Click “browse” and the names/addresses of the instructor and students will drop down. Point to the one you want and left click. Once the name is highlighted, click “select”. The address will automatically be entered for you. DAILY: E-mail is checked first thing each morning. It is checked again on most evenings some time between 8PM and 10PM. Responses are composed at those times. WEEKENDS: E-mail is checked on Sundays. There is no set time. NOTE: If you are having difficulty with an assignment, please ask for help in a timely fashion. Most assignments are due on Sunday nights. If you send e-mails very late at night or over the weekend, you will not get a response immediately. Ø VOICE MAIL: Again, my HCC voice mail can be accessed by calling 413-552-2413. I check voice mail once in the morning and then again in the afternoon. If there is a specific time that is better for you to receive a phone call, please say so in the voice mail message. Always leave a phone number where you prefer to be reached and speak clearly so that your message is understandable. If I can’t understand what you are saying, I will not be able to call you back. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HCC is committed to the full inclusion of all students. Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require accommodation, should contact the instructor as soon as possible after class begins for the semester and present documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities. Staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities can be reached at 413-552-2417 to request assistance in these matters. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is necessary to support a positive learning experience. ATTENDANCE POLICY and PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT This career field requires that employees be on time, dependable, and consistent. Although the classroom is a “virtual” one, attendance is an integral part of the learning process. Attendance for this distance learning course involves being “present” in an asynchronous way. This means that the course is set up so that you can do your work at whatever time you wish provided that you meet established deadlines. There are no specific times that all participants must meet to chat or have discussions. A chat board has been set up so that students may engage in real-time discussion if they wish. If students would like to conduct “live” chat with the instructor, a time/day will need to be agreed upon in advance. The course does require spending time online researching specific topics and posting responses to issues presented by the instructor. Students should be “present” by way of posting comments for ongoing discussions at least twice a week (this interval is recommended, not required). Students are responsible for posting topics that are related to the subject matter. You should find at least three things to discuss each of those times. That means that as I review posting data, I should see 9 postings per week per student. Postings are required for 7 weeks; therefore, the minimum acceptable number of postings would be 63. Your comments need to be substantial and relevant. This means that comments must reflect actual discussion, not just brief responses such as “absolutely” or “I agree/disagree” Participation is required and is worth 25 points toward your final grade. The more “visible” you are, the better. In cases of extended illness or serious accident, the instructor will decide whether or not it will be possible for a student to successfully complete course requirements. Appropriate documentation is required to request consideration in such a case. HOW THE PARTICIPATION SCORE IS CALCULATED: Your total number of posts is divided by the minimum required. The resulting percentage is the percentage of the 25 available points you will receive. EX: A student records 50 substantial and relevant posts over the course of the term. 50/63 = 79%. 25 x .79= 19.75 (round up to 20). Points earned for participation: 20. ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL: In this online format, dismissal with a grade of “AW” will occur if (1) a student does not log in by the specified day/time; (2) a student fails to submit two of the required assignments; or (3) if a student fails to engage in the required discussion. If a student wishes to withdraw from the course, there is a convenient link on the e-Institute Entry Page for that purpose. ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY All HCC policies are in effect regarding academic honesty. Please be sure to review these rules as posted on the e-Institute Entry Page. Your work is to be done by you unless a collaborative effort is assigned and approved. DO NOT use someone else’s words as your own. This is plagiarism and will result in a most negative consequence. If you are considering using plagiarism tools available to you online, DON’T. NOTE: Students who turn in written work without proper citations or a reference page will receive a zero for that assignment. If you have not used citations and have not included a reference page, you may want to explain why; however, students are urged to check work to ensure that all sources are attributed properly. STUDENT CONDUCT It is expected that the learning environment will be positive and productive. Therefore, inappropriate and/or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated. Students will communicate in an appropriate and professional manner at all times. Use of profanity is prohibited. Please refer to the Communication Policy which is provided in detail on the e-Institute Entry Page (General Information). FINAL EXAM The final exam, if scheduled for this class, will be posted one week before the due date. See calendar for Final Exam Week dates. The exam will be application-based (problem-solving) and comprehensive in nature. MARK THIS IN YOUR CALENDARS NOW. THE FINAL MUST BE TAKEN WHEN SCHEDULED.**