CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY

CCJ 4604 (Section #: 1108)
SPRING SEMESTER - 2000

DAYS: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
TIME: 6th period (12:50 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.)
ROOM: Walker 201E
PROFESSOR: Dr. Richard C. Hollinger
OFFICE: 3360 Turlington Hall
OFFICE HOURS: M, W, F from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
TELEPHONE: 392-0251 (extension #249 to leave messages on Voice Mail)
EMAIL: rhollin@soc.ufl.edu
WEB page: http://web.soc.ufl.edu/faculty/rhollin.htm
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
    The primary objective of this course is to provide students with a working understanding of the major theoretical paradigms used to explain the occurrence of criminal behavior in society.  We will trace the history of scholarly thought about crime from the Middle Ages to the present day.  Although primary emphasis will be on the study of contemporary sociological and criminological theories, attention will be directed to biological and psychologically based theories as well.  The specific goals of the course will be: (1) to understand the major concepts and propositions associated with each theory, (2) to evaluate empirically each perspective in light of the available research evidence, and (3) to consider the crime control policy implications of each theoretical perspective.

REQUIRED TEXT:
1) Ronald L. Akers. CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES: INTRODUCTION AND
 EVALUATION (2nd edition).  Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN: 0-935732-51-9.

2) Francis T. Cullen and Robert Agnew.  CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY: PAST TO PRESENT - ESSENTIAL READINGS.  Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company, 1999. ISBN: 0-935732-91-8.


EXAMS:
    There will be three exams given during the course.  The first will be held mid February and the second will occur around the beginning of April.  The third exam will be given during the final exam period.  All exams will cover the readings and lectures over that particular third of the course and will each contribute one fourth of your final grade.  The three exams each consist of multiple choice questions.  The final exam will not be comprehensive.  Make-up exams will not  be given except in truly unusual circumstances. 

TERM PAPER:
There will be one principal writing assignment also required in this course.  The term paper will be worth one quarter (25%) of your final grade.
In this assignment the student must select one specific type of criminal behavior and then employ any two (2) different theoretical perspectives with which to explain the occurrence of the particular behavior examined.  The available theoretical and empirical criminological scholarly research literature must be used to support the student's argument.  The paper is to be typed, double-spaced, and 8-12 pages in length.  Term paper outlines must be reviewed and approved by the instructor before the final manuscript is submitted for grading.  The final draft of the paper must be turned in to the instructor no later than the last day of classes (April 26, 2000).  You are encouraged to submit papers earlier than the final due date. Penalty points will be assessed for each day that a paper is late.

GRADING:
    Your final grade will be determined by the total number of points (out of the total possible 200) you have accumulated in comparison to the rest of the members of the class, i.e., a "curve." Each of the three (3) tests and one (1) paper will be worth one fourth of your final grade). No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted. Cheating on tests, the sale of course notes, plagiarism (even electronic) on papers, or other forms of academic dishonesty will be considered grounds for course failure and referral to Student Honor Court. Regular class attendance and active participation in discussion is strongly encouraged.

ATTENDANCE:
Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required.  Advance preparation for class by completing the assigned readings is essential.  Please do not come to class unprepared.  Pop quizzes will be employed if the instructor believes students are not preparing themselves adequately for class discussion.  Since much of the course material is presented in class, it will not be possible to excel in this course without coming to class regularly and participating actively in discussion.
 
Course Outline and Schedule
Date Week Topic Reading Assignment
January 10 1 Introduction and Evaluating Theory Syllabus and Akers 1 
January 17 2 Deterrence and Rational Choice Akers 2
January 24  3 Classical Theories C&A 25, 26, 27
January 31 4 Biological and Psychological Akers 3
February 7 5 Biological and Psychological C&A 1, 2, 4, 5
February 14 (estimated date) First Exam (in class)
February 14 6 Differential Association and Social Learning Akers 4
February 21 7 Social Learning C&A 3, 8, 10,11, 12
February 28 8 Social Bonding and Control Akers 5
March 6-12 Spring Break No classes
March 13 9 Self-Control C&A 9, 18, 19, 20
March 20 10 Labeling Akers 6
March 27 11 Labeling C&A 28, 29, 30
April 3 (estimated date) Second Exam (in class)
April 3 12 Disorganization, Anomie and Strain Akers 7 C&A 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
April 10 13 Conflict, Marxist & Critical Akers 8, 9 C&A 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
April 17 14 Critical and Feminist Akers 10 C&A 36,37, 38
April 24 15 Integrated Theories Akers 11 C&A 21, 22, 23, 24
April 26 15 Last day of classes Term Paper due date
April 27-28 15 Review Days No classes
Thursday, 
May 4		 Third Exam  4C 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.