Criminology SOCIOLOGY 225 (B1)
Department of Sociology, University of Alberta
Winter Session (January 6- April 8), 2020 Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:20, TL-11
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Instructor: Sharon Springer Email: [email protected]
emails answered typically within 48 hours (Monday-Friday)
Office: 5-8, Henry Marshall Tory Building Office Hours: By Appointment
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Course Description
Examination and attempted explanation of crime and juvenile delinquency, with an analysis of the social processes leading to criminal behaviour. (taken from the University of Alberta Calendar, 2019-2020).
This course will introduce students to the study of crime as a social phenomenon. The first part of the course will focus on crime and societal response to criminal behaviour from a historical perspective. This will be followed by an exploration of contemporary crime and the making of laws within the Canadian context. Finally, theories developed to explain the etiology of crime and criminal behaviour will be critically examined. This course emphasizes the Canadian context of crime and criminal justice.
Note: Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading section of the University of Alberta Calendar, 2019-2020.
Required Textbook
Linden, R. (2020). Criminology: A Canadian Perspective. Ninth Edition. Toronto: Nelson.
Registration
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they are properly registered. Please ensure that you are officially registered in this course by consulting your class schedule on Bear Tracks.
Class Format
This class is designed in lecture format supplemented by audio and video materials. Lectures will generally be organized around textbook chapter topics but will include material not found in the textbook. Some periodical readings will also be assigned throughout the course.
eClass: Please refer to eClass Moodle SOC 225 course site for postings of slides, assigned readings, supplementary materials and grades.
Classroom Conduct & Practices
Class will begin at 3pm sharp. Please be in your seat, organized and ready at this time.
Please turn off/silence cell phones. If a call must be taken, please remove yourself from the class and take the call in the corridor.
Please refrain from using the internet/visiting social networking sites during class time.
Please maintain a respectful learning environment by refraining from talking/whispering during lectures or when another student is addressing the instructor or class. Disrespectful behaviour toward the instructor or toward a fellow student will not be tolerated.
Students are responsible for information provided in all classes.
Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the Instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour
(online at the Academic Integrity website: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-
students/academic-resources/academic-integrity) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
U of A Student Services, Resources, and Support
Your life and well-being as a U of A student are interconnected. From feeling financially secure to managing your time, your experiences — positive and negative — impact other areas of your life. U of A student services, resources, and support help you find balance, create growth, and build your success as a student (taken from the University of Alberta 'Current Students'
website). For information concerning student services available on campus, please visit https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources
Students who require accommodations in this class due to a disability affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning or mental or physical health must contact Accessibility Resources to discuss their needs. The Accessibility Resources office is located at 1-80 SUB, and can be reached by calling 780-492-3381 or by emailing [email protected]. Please inform the instructor of any accommodations recommended by Accessibility Resources as soon as possible and provide the
"Letter of Introduction" to the instructor by the end of the second week of classes. Students requiring accommodated exams must submit their exam schedule through ClockWork. Exams must be registered through ClockWork at least seven days before each exam.
Class Schedule1
Lecture Date Topic Textbook Chapter
January 6-8 Course Introduction Chapter 1
Crimes, Criminals & Criminology
January 13-15 The Social Context of Dispute Settlement Chapter 2 and the Rise of the Law
January 20-22 Criminal Law Chapter 3
January 27-29 Counting Crime Chapter 4
February 3-5 Midterm #1 (February 3)
Correlates of Criminal Behaviour Chapter 5 February 10-12 Early Theories of Criminology Chapter 8 February 17-21 Family Day and Winter Term Reading Week
NO CLASSES
February 24-26 Psychological Perspectives on Criminality Chapter 9
March 2-4 Strain Theories Chapter 10
March 9-11 Midterm #2 (March 9)
Social Control Theory Chapter 14 March 16-18 Deterrence, Routine Activity &
Rational Choice Theories Chapter 15
March 23-25 Conflict Theories Chapter 11
Feminism & Criminology Chapter 6 March 30-April 1 Contemporary Critical Criminology Chapter 12
April 6-8 Interactionist Theories Chapter 13
**Date for Final Exam: TBA**
1 Content (topics and chapter readings) will not change; Schedule is subject to minor changes
Course Grading
Midterm #1 30% February 3
Midterm #2 30% March 9
Final Exam 40% TBA
Midterm Exams*
The Midterm Exams on February 3rd and March 9th will be in multiple choice format. Exam questions will be drawn from the slides, assigned readings, and lecture materials. Exams are not cumulative.
Final Exam*
The Final Exam is cumulative. It will be in multiple choice format. Exam questions will be drawn from the slides, assigned readings, and lecture materials from January 6th to April 8th, inclusive.
Missed Midterm Exam
In the event that a student is unable to write a midterm exam and a documented excuse is provided to the satisfaction of the instructor, the student will re-write the exam at the following time:
MIDTERM #1: Friday, February 14th at 9:00am MIDTERM #2: Friday, March 20th at 9:00 am
A grade of 0 will be given for students missing the midterm exam without a valid excuse and for students who miss the re-write exam.
Students are required to contact the instructor within two working days following the missed exam (or as soon as the student is able, with regard to the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence. Excused absences are not automatic and are at the discretion of the instructor, who may request supporting documents as follows:
__________
*I post past or representative exam questions on e-class before each exam
For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:
“University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents)
“Request for Excused Absence or Deferral of Term Work"
https://www.ualberta.ca/arts/student-services/undergraduate-student-services/forms-for- students
"Statutory Declaration" for students in Faculties other than Arts, to be obtained from home Faculty or the Office of the Registrar
For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit appropriate documentation to the situation. This could include the following:
For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate
For a religious conflict –a letter from the church or pastor
For a car accident – a copy of the accident report
For other serious afflictions –consult with Instructor or Department about appropriate documents
Missed Final Exam
In the event that a student is unable to write the final exam, they must contact their Faculty Undergraduate Student Services office to apply for a deferred exam within two working days following the missed exam, or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstance underlying the absence. If approved by the Faculty, students will write their deferred exam Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 9am, Location: T-BW2.
Please Note: A deferred final exam will not be approved if a student
i. has not been in regular attendance where attendance and/or participation are required, and/or,
ii. excluding the final exam, has completed less than half of the assigned work.
Grading
Percentage Letter Grade 4-point value
Excellent 95-100 A+ 4.0
90-94 A 4.0
85-89 A- 3.7
Good 80-84 B+ 3.3
75-79 B 3.0
70-74 B- 2.7
Satisfactory 66-69 C+ 2.3
62-65 C 2.0
58-61 C- 1.7
Poor 54-57 D+ 1.3
50-53 D 1.0
Fail 0-49 F 0.0
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whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community