Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

CRJ 240 Criminology (also SOC 240)

Instructor: Dr. Fran FullerSemester: Fall, 2006
Class Location: Rm 220 BA Bldg
Time: T, Th 5:00 - 6:15pm [Evening class]

Office Hours: UNCP BA bldg Rm 205 Mon & Wed 10:30 to 11:30am; Tues & Thurs 11-12noon; Tues 6:30-7:30pm & by appntmnt, call 733-5317
Section: 01 
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Office Hours: UNCP BA bldg Rm 205 Mon & Wed 10:30 to 11:30am; Tues & Thurs 11-12noon; Tues 6:30-7:30pm & by appntmnt, call 733-5317">

Description
From the UNCP Catalog, 2006-07
CRJ 240. Criminology
Historical and contemporary theories of criminal behavior are examined, with emphasis on the sources of information on crime and the application of the scientific method to the explanation of crime. Fall, Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours.
SOC 240. Criminology
Historical and contemporary theories of criminal behavior are examined, with emphasis on rehabilitation logic and the application of the scientific method to the explanation of crime. Fall, Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours.

Goals
Following the methods of social science investigation, criminologists have been explaining criminal behavior for two hundred years. The modern student of criminology is faced with volumes of theoretical writing and empirical research which leave introductory textbooks reading as if they were encyclopedias and looking as if they were slick magazines devoted to the lurid illustration of the daily impact of crime in society. Many undergraduate students approach criminology as if they were planning a career as back up driver to Nash Bridges, office support for the X files or camera person for COPS. In other words, most criminology students take the tantalizing excitement of crime for granted and want answers about the causes and effects of criminal behavior immediately. The goal of this course is to give answers immediately.

Objectives
This course introduces the concepts, language, history and methods of criminology with an in depth focus on contemporary and classical readings in life-course criminology. By examining this theoretical perspective in detail, students develop a comprehensive understanding of criminal behavior. This understanding is useful as an extension of their introduction to their Criminal Justice or Sociology majors and as a foundation for their later studies in social research and statistical methods. Specifically, as a criminology student, you will:
1 -- Learn to read and discuss theoretical and empirical research in criminology as if it were People Magazine without the pictures.
2 -- Learn to think critically and analytically.
3 -- Learn to speak, if not easily, at least professionally among peers.
4 -- Begin to use writing and record keeping as an extension of your thinking.
5 -- Understand the broad outlines of criminology as a discipline in the social sciences.
6 -- Know how and where to begin research in criminology and how to access the general literature in the field.
7 -- Be experienced in applying the concepts and techniques of Life-Course analysis toward the development of your own comprehensive understanding of criminal behavior.

Course Materials
Textbook(s)
Piquero, Alex and Paul Mazerolle. 2001. Life-course Criminology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning. ISBN 0-534-57492-0. REQUIRED.

Fuller, Fran Haga. 2006. Invisible Action: Proof vs Possibiity, Habeas Corpus, and Waco. Southern Pines, NC: Carolinas Press. ISBN 1-891026-35-6. REQUIRED.
Other
Paul, Richard and Linda Elder. The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts & Tools. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking. REQUIRED.

Course Resource Links
Assignments
Schedule
APA format citation style from the WEB
UNCP Writing Center Webpage
Need an UNCP email account?
UNCP Criminal Justice HomePage
UNCP Sampson-Livermore Library
The Foundation for Critical Thinking
UNCP support services for students with disabilities
Haga/Fuller Class Slide Shows

Grading Policy
General. Assignment due dates are announced in advance. There are no points-off penalties for late work while semester classes are in session. Grade F (zero) is earned by any assignment turned in later than the end of the Last Day of Class, unless arrangements are made for an incomplete.

Grade equivalents show on the scale below called "Final Grades." The percentages given for each grade component are called "weights."

ADDITONALLY, PLEASE NOTE: The University supports a variety of accommodations to the needs of students with disabilities. The policy reads, in part: In post-secondary settings, it is the student's responsibility to request accommodations, if desired. It is important to remember that not every student with a disability needs accommodation. It is equally important to remember that even though two individuals may have the same disability, they may not need the same accommodation. Disability Support Services, UNC Pembroke. Please contact Dr. Fuller with questions and concerns about this and any other aspects of evaluation and grading.

Grades will be posted on Blackboard as they are earned. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor if they believe a mistake has been made in the grading or the reporting of the grade. Final grades are posted to BraveWeb for the official record.

Grade Components
 Name 
 Weight 
  Subject
Class Exercises & Assignments
40%
 Classnotes Evaluation Criteria; Q&A Records Format; Graded In-class Discussions; In-class "M-KAT" format quizzes.
Criminal Life Course Case Analysis Paper
30%
 1st Draft ASAP after Spring Break. Final Paper due week after Thanksgiving. OUTLINE, etc.
Final Exam
30%
 "M-KAT" Format. Comprehensive. Tuesday Dec 5, 2006, 5-7:30pm

Final Grades
 A: 92-100 (4.0QP)  B+: 87-89 (3.3QP)  C+: 77-79 (2.3QP)  D+: 67-69 (1.3QP)  F: 0-59 (0QP)  
 A-: 90-91 (3.7QP)  B: 82-86 (3.0QP)  C: 72-76 (2.0QPO  D: 62.66 (1.0QP)      
     B-: 80-81 (2.7QP)  C-: 70-71 (1.7QP)  D-: 60-61 (.7QP)      

Attendance Policy
Class attendance and participation is expected. Two points will be subtracted from your final grade for any day missed. One point will be subtracted from your final grade for any day you reported late to class or left early. This policy will be relaxed if you suffer an extended illness of your own.

Proof of Studies: Students are expected to spend a minimum of two to three hours outside of class in preparation for each meeting of the class. Students may spend study time reading, taking reading notes, preparing class assignment, on-line with Blackboard or with directed websearches (confirmed with websearch logs), reworking and expanding classnotes, preparing flashcards to study important vocabulary, reviewing class "friendly quizzes," or in communication with each other. Students will document their studies with a personal journal recording the time and date, their activity, and citation notations. Points for class absenses may be restored when selected journal entries and study output are formally presented to the class within three class meetings after the class or classes missed. Tardy arrivals and early departures may be restored with similar presentation of proof of studies.

Procedure to re-gain points lost due to class absences for any reason: In a timely manner present Proof of Studies specific to the days missed. Should be on the topics covered in class and in a format suitable for sharing with classmates who missed your class presence. Formats may include oral reports, essays, vocabulary flashcards, chapter exercises, powerpoint presentations, handouts shared electronically or on paper. Material presented should be substantial enough to demonstrate at least two, if not three hours, of your work so as to be proof of your studies in lieu of class attendance for any reason. Proof of studies will always be presented in class in a 1/2 inch loose leaf binder (small), or plastic zip bag in the case of flashcards, for open class inspection, and will include a daily journal of how you spent your time devoted to your studies for this class.

And before you die laughing at this policy which essentially provides every student a procedure to make up any absence, please remember that most proof of any work offered in Criminal Justice employment is in the form of reports, journal notes and time records. You are learning criminology, you will do well to learn how to keep up with your time as a criminologist.

The class will be graded on the basis of the components for grade recorded above. In other words, your proof of studies journal is not part of your grade.

Student Conduct & Honor Code
Students will read and adhere to The UNCP Student Honor Code. This should be a direct link to The Student Honor Code .

After reading the Honor Code, please email fran.fuller@uncp.edu to let me know whether or not you have (1) read the Honor Code, (2) have any questions about any part of it, and (3) agree or disagree with any portions of it.

Our academic honor code applies, in its entirety, to all aspects of the course. See UNC Pembroke Catalog, p. 47. In the online pdf version, scroll down to page 47. The code concludes with advice to instructors: "Students have the responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code" (p. 50).

Writing Instruction
Students who want additional instruction in the essential skills of computing techniques, document production, and formal writing in the social sciences should meet the instructor (Dr. Fuller) in the Computing Lab on designated Friday afternoons beginning at 2pm. Designated Fridays will be announced in class. Students who are already skilled may participate as student assistants. This time counts formally toward your proof of studies.

Contact Information
Office Tel with Voice Mail: 910-521-6473.
University Mailing Address: Dr. Fran Fuller, UNC-P, Box 1510, Pembroke NC 28372

Name change alert! Dr. Fuller was Dr. Haga until her marriage December 16, 2001 to Fred Fuller. The Fullers reside in Pembroke, North Carolina. Dr. Fuller can be reached at your convenience at 910-733-5317.

Other Information
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. ACCOMODATIONS PROCESS LINK. .

All discussions with Disability Support Services will remain confidential. Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, UNC Pembroke. DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695.

Updated June 25, 2008 | fran.fuller@uncp.edu | Copyright © 2008 The University of North Carolina at Pembroke