AJ/Sociology 124

This course explores the nature of crime, measurement of research of crime, the extent of crime, major theories of crime causation, criminal typologies, criminal justice system response to crime, and societal reaction to crime.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify criminal behavior and explain the development of Criminology as a science.

2. Describe the various types of methods used to measure criminal activity.

3. Recognize the most common characteristics of both the victim and the criminal.

4. Compare and contrast the Classical, Biological and Psychological Theories of crime causation.

5. Explain Social Structure, Process and Conflict Theories relating to crime causation.

Required Textbook:

Barkan, Steven E. Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 3rd ED., New Jersey, Prentice Hall. 2006

Unit Value:

Three (3) units

Evaluation Methodology:

Your grade in this course is based on the accumulation of percentage points generated from the following:

1. Quiz Average 33% (of total grade)

2. Mid-Term Examination 33% (of total grade)

3. Final Examination 33% (of total grade)

Grades will be based on the following percentages:

90-100% - A

80-89% - B

70-79% - C

60-69% - D

00-59% - F

*Students should be advised that make-up test will not be given for missed chapter quizzes. In determining a student's overall quiz average, the final examination grade will be used as the percentage score for each missed quiz. This method will be used for a maximum of two missed chapter quizzes. For each additional missed quiz, a zero, (percentage points), will be utilized in determining the quiz average.

* Note that Internet assignments may be counted as Quiz grades.

Attendance:

The IVC General Catalog states:

"Regular attendance in all classes is expected of all students enrolled. Instructors are expected to take a student's attendance record into account in computing grades. A student may be excluded from further attendance in a class during any semester when absences after the close of registration have exceeded the number of class hours which the class meets per week."

This policy will be taken into consideration during the semester concerning a student's continued participation in the class.

Disabled Student Programs and Services:

Any student with a documented disability who may need educational accommodations should notify the instructor or the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S) office located in the Health Sciences Building, #2117, (760) 355-6312, as soon as possible.

Tentative Assignment & Test Schedule: (Subject to change)

Wk 1. Ch.1 - Crimin./SocPersp.

Wk 2. Ch.1 - Crimin./ScoPersp.

Wk 3. Ch.2 - PubOpin/Media

Wk 4. Ch.2 - PubOpin/Media

Wk 5. Ch.3 - Research/Patterns

Wk 6. Ch.3 - Research/Patterns

Wk 7. Ch.4 - Victimization

Wk 8. Ch.4 - Vict/Mid-Term Exam

Wk 9. Ch.5 - Explain/Crime

Wk 10. Ch.6 - Soc.Theories

Wk 11. Ch.6 - Soc.Theories

Wk 12. Ch.7 - Soc Process Theory

Wk 13. Ch.7 - Soc Process Theory

Wk 14. Ch.8 - Critical Perspectives

Wk 15. Ch.8 - Critical Perspectives

Wk 16. Ch.12 - White-Collar Crime/Final Exam

*Please note that dates of chapter quizzes and on-line internet assignments will be announced in class.

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