Crime in America
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Course Dates/Times: 22 Feb – 1 Apr 2016
Weekly CTC Blackboard discussions and assignments
Instructor: Nikki M. Drago
Instructor’s Location: Ramstein, Germany
(Central European Time)
Skype Office Hours: Monday – Friday
Flexible but please give me a notice so I can set a time up that works best for both of us.
Instructor Email:
Phone: +491718626381
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Nikki M. Drago is currently the Chief Enlisted Manager for the United States Air Forces in Europe Inspector General. Prior to this duty he was the Security Forces Manager for the 423d Security Forces Squadron, RAF Alconbury, England. He was the senior enlisted leader for 129 active duty members and 18 Ministry of Defense Police Officers and civilian employees responsible for providing security, police services and force protection for more than 4,000 military and civilian personnel and strategic level resources. His primary duties included the inspection and evaluation of Security Forces activities, determination of training requirements, and identification of equipment needs. He developed and implemented contingency plans for the base Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection program.
He earned an Associate Degree in Police Science through the Community College of the Air Force in 2002, a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice Administration through Columbia Southern University in 2007 and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Military Operation through Trident University in 2012. He began teaching for Central Texas College in August 2013.
Nikki grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and entered the Air Force in May 1997. He began his career as a security specialist and has served in a variety of assignments to include Operations Superintendent, Flight Sergeant and various flight and staff positions. He deployed in support of Operations Juniper Shield, United Assistance, Joint Forge, Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This course will introduce students to American crime problems in historical perspective, social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and prevention of crime.
B. This course is not chronologically dependent upon other Law Enforcement courses. It is a required course for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for career(s) in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, and Corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): (None)
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Crime in America, the student will be able to:
A. Explain the psychological, social, and economic impact of crime in society.
B. Identify characteristics of major crimes.
C. Discuss the impact on society and the prevention thereof.
D. List crimes by definition and classification according to major sub groupings.
E. Discuss the basic theoretical and behavioral models, as well as the historical development of laws and contributions of famous law givers.
F. Define selected terms vital to the understanding of the legal terminology which will be encountered in numerous Criminal Justice courses.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/booksinstructional-materials/
Criminology: The Core-CTC Custom Cover, Larry J. Siegel, 5th Edition, Cengage Publisher, ISBN 9781285068909
B. References:
1. Black’s Law Dictionary
2. Texas Statutes (e.g., Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Family Code, Health & Safety Code, etc.)
3. U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and latest Amendments, and Texas Constitution
4. www.fbi.gov/ucr
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend online class regularly on Central Texas College (CTC) Blackboard. Online attendance involves logging into your Blackboard class and participating in discussions, submitting assignments, etc. Be prepared to also take any unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed on Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to CTC Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility to log into CTC Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for six weeks. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly CTC Blackboard assignments and discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
VI. EXAMS
A. There will be two major examinations, a research paper, discussion board questions
and quizzes as follows:
1. Exam 1 (Due NLT 13 Mar)
2. Exam 2 (Due NLT 1 Apr)
3. Quizzes (Each Lesson, Due NLT 28 Feb, 3, 13, 20, 27 Mar & 1 Apr)
4. Research paper (Due NLT 27 Mar)
B. A student must complete all scheduled examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C. Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
E. Final exams will be monitored via BioSig application.
VII. EXAMS SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
EXAM POINTS POINTS GRADES
Mid Term 225 900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
Final Exam 225 800-899 B=3 pts/sem hr
Research Paper 150 700-799 C=2 pts/sem hr
Quizzes 180 600-699 D=1 pt/sem hr
Discussion Board/Participation 120 0-599 F=0 pts/sem hr
TOTAL 1000
A term paper is expected from all students. Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities, so the instructor may need to revisit the term paper concept during the course.
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy. For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
E. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
F. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Assignments and interaction are via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may communicate, via CTC Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into six lessons. See below for course outline.
A. Lesson 1: Chapters 1: Crime and Criminology (22-28 Feb)
1. Learning Objectives:
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to:
1. Explain the various elements of the criminological enterprise.
2. Differentiate between crime and deviance.
3. Discuss the three different views of the definition of crime.
4. Discuss the different purposes of the criminal law.
5. Describe the criminal justice process.
6. Identify the ethical issues in criminology.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Reading Chapter 1
b. Discussion Board Question
Chapter 2: The Nature and Extent of Crime (22-28 Feb)
1. Learning Objectives
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to:
1. Discuss the various forms of crime data.
2. Analyze recent trends in the crime rate.
3. Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.
4. Identify the gender and racial patterns in crime.
5. Know what is meant by the term aging-out process.
6. Be familiar with the concept of chronic offending and know its causes.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Reading Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Victims and Victimization (22 - 28 Feb)
1. Learning Objectives
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to:
1. Describe the victim’s role in the crime process.
2. Know the greatest problems faced by crime victims.
3. Know what is meant by the term cycle of violence.
4. Be familiar with the ecology of victimization risk.
5. Describe the most dominant victims characteristics.
6. Be familiar with the most important theories of victimization.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Reading Chapter 3
b. Discussion Board Question
c. Quiz
D. Lesson 2: Chapter 4: Rational Choice Theory (29 Feb – 6 Mar)
1. Learning Objectives
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to:
1. Describe the development of rational choice theory.
2. Explore the concepts of rational choice.
3. Explain what is meant by the term seductions of crime.
4. Discuss the elements of situational crime prevention.
5. Analyze the elements of general deterrence.
6. Discuss the basic concepts of specific deterrence.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Reading Chapter 4
b. Discussion Board Question
Chapter 5: Trait Theory (29 Feb – 6 Mar)
1. Learning Objectives
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to:
1. Be familiar with the development of trait theory.
2. Discuss some of the biochemical conditions that have been associated with
crime.
3. Describe the link between genetics and crime, according to trait theory.
4. Discuss the elements of the psychodynamic perspective.
5. Show why behavioral theory is linked to crime.
6. Understand the controversy surrounding the link between intelligence and
crime.
2. Learning activities:
a. Reading Chapter 5
b. Quiz
c. Begin Research Paper
C. Lesson 3: Chapter 6: Social Structure Theory (7 – 13 Mar)
1. Learning Objectives
After mastering the content of this chapter, a student should be able to: