Course Syllabus
Course Time: TBA
Room: TBA
Professor: R. Cory Watkins
Office: HPA 323
Office Hours: TBA
Office Phone: (407) 823-0365
Email:
Website (find syllabus): http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rwatkins/
Required Readings:
Siegel, L. (Latest Edition). Criminology: Theories, Patterns and Typologies. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Additional outside readings may be assigned over the course of the semester. These are designed to supplement the required course texts. The instructor will introduce students to supplementary reading material as the semester proceeds.
Course Content:
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with various perspectives that can be used to critically examine the etiology of human behavior. In general, this course will examine the nature and extent of various forms of deviant and non-deviant behaviors. Specifically, topics to be addressed include the development of law and the mechanisms to regulate social conflict, dimensions of criminal activity, victimization, and examination of numerous theoretical explanations for why some individuals or groups commit crime and some individuals or groups do not.
Teaching Philosophy:
This professor encourages discussion and participation during the class period as it will improve your understanding of the materials in this course. It is important that all people feel comfortable in freely expressing their opinions and comments so long as they are constructive and conducive to the academic environment. A course on crime and deviance is often thought of as boring, grueling, and even intimidating. It is important to understand, however, that developing an appreciation for the many different lenses through which persons can see things is critical to the development of a mature mind and critical thought process.
Attendance:
Attendance is strongly recommended as most of the course materials will be explained more fully in lectures and some material is covered only in lecture. Attendance will be taken on a random basis and used as an indicator of students’ attendance in class. Students are responsible for all information provided in lectures and class discussions.
Grading:
There will be three equally weighted exams. Each exam is worth 100 points. The exams may consist of a mixture of multiple choice questions, true-false, and short answer essay questions. The final exam is a cumulative exam. There will also be 3 pop quizzes. Each quiz is worth 25 points. The lowest grade on the quizzes will be dropped.
The grading scale is as follows:
Grading ScaleA+ / 98-100 / C+ / 78-79
A / 93-97 / C / 73-77
A- / 90-92 / C- / 70-72
B+ / 88-89 / D+ / 68-69
B / 83-87 / D / 63-67
B- / 80-82 / D- / 60-62
F / Below 60
Make-up Policy:
No make-up exams or other assignments will be permitted unless you contact me PRIOR TO THE ASSIGNMENT. Make-up exams may contain essays. In the event that you will miss an exam, you must have a legitimate excuse and provide documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note for illness). All exams are the property of R. Cory Watkins.
Academic Dishonesty:
SIMPLE, IT WELL NOT BE TOLERATED. Dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, course assignments, alteration of records, or illegal possession of examinations shall be considered cheating. University policy will be strictly adhered to. See the University of Central Florida Golden Rule Handbook for conduct guidelines, students rights and student responsibilities.
Accommodations for Disabled Students: If anyone has a need for note-taking or test-taking accommodations, feel free to discuss this with the professor. Please do so as soon as possible.
Precautionary Disclaimer:
The class schedule and grading procedure in this syllabus are subject to change in the event of situational exigencies. If changes are to be made, an announcement will be made in class. Announcements made in class are considered proper notice of change.
COURSE OUTLINE: Dates and content are tentative and subject to change. Any changes in dates or content will be announced in class. You are responsible for class announcements.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date Topics/Assignments Reading
Week 1 Jan. 11 Distribute Syllabi None
Culture and Crime To be Announced
Week 2 Jan. 18 No Class Monday (Martin Luther King Day)
Drugs, Culture, and Public Order Crime Chapter 13
Intro to Criminology Chapter 1
Week 3 Jan. 25 Criminal Law and Social Control Chapter 1
Nature and Extent of Crime Chapter 2
Week 5 Feb. 1 Nature and Extent of Crime Chapter 2
Victims and Victimization (Guest Lecture) Chapter 3
Week 6 Feb. 8 Examination #1
Choice Theories Chapter 4
Week 7 Feb. 15 Trait Theories Chapter 5
Week 8 Feb. 22 Social Structural Theories Chapter 6
Week 9 Mar. 1 Social Structural Theories Chapter 6
Guest Lecturer
Week 10 Mar. 8-13 Spring Break
Week 11 Mar. 15 Social Process Theories Chapter 7
Examination # 2
Week 12 Mar. 22 Conflict Theory Chapter 8
Week 13 Mar 29 Developmental Theories Chapter 9
Week 14 Apr 5 Crime and Place Reserved Readings
Week 15 Apr 12 Violent Crime Chapter 10
Week 16 Apr 19 Cumulative Review
See Exam Schedule for Time and Date of Final
http://www.registrar.ucf.edu/calendar/exam/2009/spring/
Reading and other assignment dates are subject to change over the course of the semester. Class attendance is critical. If you miss a pop quiz or writing assignment that was distributed in class but not reflected on the syllabus, consider it one you may want to drop. Make up assignments are not an option under these circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor.
© Property of R. Cory Watkins
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