CJ 480, Criminological Theories Syllabus,

Spring 2018, Web-Based course via Blackboard

W. T. Jordan, Instructor
Office: University Center 204
Phone: 903-223-3168
Fax: 903-223-3107
E-mail: tom.jordan@tamut.edu I answer class email 2-3 times per week on a triage basis (i.e. emergencies
first).
Prof’s Web Page: http://www.tamut.edu/academics/tjordan/
On-campus office hours: Tuesday/Thursday, 10:45-11:45 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome at
other times (appointments are better).

Course Description: This course describes the role of theory in crime scholarship. It surveys the major schools
of thought related to crime causation (sociological, psychological, and biological) and particular theories about
crime and delinquency, places these theories in historical context, and reviews some of the primary
assumptions of the theories and conclusions reached from criminology research.

Purpose: Understand the fundamental elements of the major explanations of criminal behavior.

Student Learning Outcomes:

 At the end of this course, successful students will be able to

o Remember and recall basic concepts from major theories of crime;
o Distinguish between classes of theories;
o Demonstrate understanding of biological, psychological, and social influences on criminal
behavior by distinguishing between a variety of theoretical elements.
 Given offender case histories, successful students will be able to
o Analyze offender case histories and correctly apply theoretical concepts;
o Identify and defend a particular theory as best at explaining given offender case histories.

Course Materials:

 Miller, Schreck, & Tewksbury Criminological Theory: A Brief Introduction, 4th ed. ISBN: 9780133512373
 Capote, In Cold Blood. Vintage, 1994 edition ISBN-13: 978-0679745587 (But the previous edition will
do.)
 Computer and internet access. MS-Word, email software, internet browser, that is compatible with
Blackboard. All written work must be turned in as a MS-Word document. Library computers have all
necessary capability. See computer requirements at the end of this syllabus.
 A Dictionary
 A Stapler (for any hard copies turned in to professor)
 Additional books and articles as needed by individual students or as assigned in class.
Grading Policy:
Letter Grades are based on exams, written assignments, quizzes, participation, etc. You must participate
substantially and collegially in the course. Each of these components will contribute proportionally to the final
grade as indicated in the table below.

Planned Activities: POINTS

Learning Activities, Pop-Quizzes, & Discussion 30
ICB Index 10
Theory Application Paper 20
Exams 3@25 pts each 75

Optional Extra Credit: Additional Book Review (5%)

Subject to change with notice
Final course grades will be determined according to the proportion of total points available. If for any reason
some activities are added, canceled, or modified, the total proportion available will be adjusted to reflect this.
The following scale provides the absolute floor for assigning letter grades. However, to more closely align
class grades with A&M-Texarkana management and student grade expectations, adjustments will be made, if
necessary, to insure that at least half the class receives A's and B's, and students who average at least 50%
and turn in all assignments on time will receive a passing grade.

Grading Scale:

122 pts = 90% = A

108 pts = 80% = B
95 pts = 70% = C
81 pts = 60% = D
Course Schedule (16 week Online version)

WEEK/DATES, TOPIC/AGENDA, READING/OTHER

(The date in parenthesis is the date that the class week begins.), Ch.# and pp.#’s refer to the Miller, Schreck, &
Tewksbury textbook. See Assignments Document for the In Cold Blood (ICB) page numbers to be read for weeks 1-8 for
the ICB Book Selection Notes.)

WEEK/DATES TOPIC/AGENDA/READING/OTHER

Week 1 (1/16) Introduction to course

Read Welcome Message and complete requirements. Personal Theory Exercise; Blackboard
familiarization. Introduce yourself in Discussion Board and Complete Week 1 Requirements from the Welcome
Message.

Week 2 (1/22) Supernatural Explanations

Week 2 Introduction to Criminology and Theory Ch. 1
Review Research Helps and Studying and Learning Resources.

Week 3 (1/29) Measuring Crime, Correlates, and Patterns

Week 3 , Classical and Choice Theory Ch. 2; and pp. 90-97 (routine activities theory),
1st ICB Book Selection Notes Due 2/4

Week 4 (2/5), Intro. Positivism pp. 27-29

Week 4, Biological Theory Ch. 3,
2nd ICB Book Selection Notes Due 2/11

Week 5 (2/12), Bio. Cont’d.

Week 5 , Bio. Cont'd.,
3rd ICB Book Selection Notes Due 2/19

Week 6 (2/19), Exam 1,

Online in Bb. 1st Attempt Due 02/25

Week 7 (2/26), Psychological Theory (Freudian) Ch. 4

Week 7 , Cont'd. (Behaviorism),
4th ICB Book Selection Notes Due 3/4

Week 8 (3/5), Cont'd. (Neuro-psych),

Week 8 , Intro. Social Structural Theories, Durkheim, Social Disorg. Ch. 5,
5th ICB Book Selection Notes Due 3/11

Week 9 (3/12), SPRING BREAK!!!,

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting, March 14-17, New Orleans, La.
Week 10 (3/19), Social Disorganization, Cont'd.,
Week 10 , Strain Theories Ch. 7 & strain-based subcultural theories pp. 107-112,
Index of Clues Due 03/25. Submit in MS-Word Format to turnitin.com via Bb.

Week 11 (3/26), Exam 2,

Online in Bb. 1st Attempt Due 04/01

Week 12 (4/2), Social Process Theories, Learning Theories Ch. 6,

Week 12 , Self-perpetuating Subculture Theories,

Week 13 (4/9), Control Theories Ch. 8

Week 13 , Control Cont'd. ,
Optional Extra Credit Book Review Due 04/15. Submit in MS-Word format to turnitin.com via
Bb

Week 14 (4/16), Labeling Theories Ch. 9,

Week 14 , Conflict Theories Ch. 9,
Theory Application Papers Due 04/22. Submit in MS-Word format to turnitin.com via Bb.

Week 15 (4/23), Conflict/Radical Cont'd.,

Week 15 , Integrated Theories Ch. 10 + pp. 150-157 & pp.67-69,

Week 16 (4/30), Exam 3 opens.

Online in Bb. Final desired attempts on All Exams are Due Completed at Midnight May 6th.
Important Course Policies and Guidelines

 Late work will not be graded. In the event that a grace period is extended (not to exceed three days), the letter
grade will be lowered each day the assignment is late.
 You are strongly encouraged to complete your assignments early when possible to avoid missed deadlines due to
technology failures or other circumstances. Last minute technology failure should be expected and planned for; it is
not an excused event.
 Note that you are responsible to be in class and/or online every meeting, week, or module that the class
operates. Do not schedule other activities that will interfere with class attendance and participation (this includes
vacations, weddings, hunting camp, etc.) If you are in a web-based course or web-enhanced course, this means that
you are expected to participate in weekly web based activities and meet all deadlines. Exam and activity dates are
tentative and may be moved. If you are absent, you are responsible to get from other students the notes, syllabus
changes, assignments, instructions, or other announcements that are given in class. Absence can negatively affect
your grade.
 Every out-of-class assignment includes the requirement to make and keep a copy of your written work in case the
original is lost or misplaced.
 Students are encouraged to make an appointment to review and discuss graded material and their progress in the
course.
 No Grade of "incomplete" will be given except in the most unusual circumstances that reasonably preclude
completion of the course (e.g. you are in a coma) when they occur after the final drop date. Poor grades or late
work are not acceptable reasons. Those catastrophic events that occur before the drop date should lead you to
drop the class.
 Makeup exams may be a different format and different questions from the regular exams. If there is a
comprehensive final exam, that score will replace the missed exam score in lieu of a makeup.
 No additional extra credit assignments beyond opportunities offered to the entire class will be given; please do not
ask.

Academic Dishonesty: Please review the Student Code of Conduct and the statement on Academic Dishonesty in the
Catalog, then read the explanation of plagiarism supplied by TurnItIn at plagiarism.org. Any act of academic dishonesty
or plagiarism will normally result in a zero for failure to appropriately complete the assignment and may result in an "F"
in the course and referral to the university judicial system. At this level of scholarship, students should understand the
severity of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation of another's work. The instructor encourages questions
regarding citations, references, cheating, improper behavior, and academic ethics. You should review this page within
the first two weeks of class. When in doubt, ASK the instructor!

Classroom Courtesy: If you are enrolled in a classroom section of a course --> Cell phone and beepers: Students are
required to turn off cell phones or beepers while in the classroom. If an emergency situation exists (or on-call law
enforcement officers) which requires you to be contacted immediately, you are expected to discuss the situation with
the professor prior to the beginning of class presentation. Students are expected to refrain from talking to each other
while formal instruction is being presented. This applies to the professor's and student's presentations (Amended from
the College of Health and Behavioral Science statement on classroom courtesy).
Required University Policy and Information Statements

Required University Policy and Information Statements

Required statements for each course syllabus
Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M-
Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903-223-3062.
Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations,
unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and undocumented use of materials from any
source constitute academic dishonesty and may be grounds for a grade of ‘F’ in the course and/or disciplinary
actions. For additional information, see the university catalog.
A&M-Texarkana Email Address: Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an
A&M-Texarkana email account. This email account will be used to deliver official university correspondence. Each
individual is responsible for information sent and received via the university email account and is expected to check the
official A&M-Texarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required to utilize
the university email account when communicating about coursework.
Drop Policy: To drop this course after the census date, a student must complete a Drop/Withdrawal Request Form,
located on the University Registrar’s webpage or obtained in the Registrar’s Office. The student must submit the signed
and completed form to the instructor of each course indicated on the form to be dropped for his/her signature. The
signature is not an “approval” to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal with
the faculty member. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s office for processing in person, email
Registrar@tamut.edu, mail (7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503) or fax (903-223-3140). Drop/withdraw forms
missing any of the required information will not be accepted by the Registrar’s Office for processing. It is the student’s
responsibility to ensure that the form is completed properly before submission. If a student stops participating in class
(attending and submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit the drop/withdrawal form, a final grade
based on work completed as outlined in the syllabus will be assigned.

Include the following explanation for all web-enhanced and online courses.
Class Participation: Students are responsible for beginning their participation on the FIRST CLASS DAY by logging on and
completing assignments according to the COURSE CALENDAR. Failure to submit online assignments between the first
day of classes and the University census date (according to the University schedule) will result in an ADMINISTRATIVE
DROP from the course.
Students with federal loans and/or grants:
Students who have federal loans and grants must be aware that participation is monitored in online courses. In the
event a student withdraws from a course the student will be required to refund all federal funds prorated from the last
date of participation. A student’s last access to Blackboard would not suffice as participation. The required weekly
activity could include a comment to a blog, a discussion board posting, a journal entry, a quiz or exam, a submitted
assignment, or other measurable and tracked activity.
Student Technical Assistance:
Solutions to common problems and FAQ’s for your web-enhanced and online courses are found on the Online Student
Training page on our website.
If you cannot find your resolution there, you can submit a support request by contacting the IT HelpDesk:
Email: helpdesk@tamut.edu
Phone: 903-334-6603
Submit a Support Request Ticket
Additional student help for Blackboard can be found here:
Blackboard Help for Students
Technical Requirements:
The following are the minimum computer requirements for online learning:
A computer capable of handling streaming video. A mid-range multi-core CPU should be adequate.
A sound card.
A high speed internet connection preferably directly connected to the computer via a hard-wired Ethernet connection
rather than wirelessly connected.
Virus and adware protection software.
Microsoft Word, minimum version 2007 or above.
Mozilla Firefox browser available free.
The most recent versions of Java, Flash, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, and Shockwave. You can check this in the Firefox
browser by visiting:
Firefox Plugin Check Tool
Please note: some instructors may require the use of a headset with microphone and/or a webcam. If so, the cost of
these items is not included in your course fees and will need to be acquired at your own expense.

Blackboard Mobile for iOS and Android Devices

Android and iOS devices are currently supported using the Blackboard Mobile App, available for free from your App
Store or scan the code below:

The Blackboard Mobile App provides limited access to courses, including the ability to read and contribute to
discussions, check grades and announcements, access content, read and comment on blogs, reflect in journals, link to
your personal Dropbox, and receive push notifications when courses are updated. Limited course features may also be
available via your mobile device's browser; however, your mobile device does not replace your personal computer and
should not be used as a substitute for one. High stakes assignments, tests, etc. should be completed on your personal
computer, and not on your mobile device.