1 SOC 225 B1: Criminology
Summer 2020
Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Instructor: William Schultz
Office: Between the vending machines in Tory Atrium (not actually. See footnote)1
Office Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM/by appointment (all meetings via Zoom)
Email: [email protected]
COURSE LOCATION, DAYS, AND TIME:
Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 11:50 AM MST
I will deliver content using both recorded lectures, and in-person meetings. PLEASE SEE COURSE FORMAT FOR VERY IMPORTANT DESCRIPTION OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
All lectures and meetings will be held on Zoom. Log in using your UAlberta email account.
1 Unfortunately, the custodian evicted me when I tried to set up a desk. Campus is officially closed, and there is no access to office space. I will hold virtual office hours Monday and Wednesday, and am available by appointment if you send me an email.
Rob Tornoe, The Inquirer; @robtornoe)
2 Office Hours: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, Monday – Wednesday
All meetings will be held via Zoom. If I am meeting with another student, you may have to wait for a few minutes in a virtual waiting room.
I will also hold meetings via appointment. Email me to set up a meeting time.
Email Policy:
University policy requires that students and instructors use valid University of Alberta email addresses. In other words, use your UAlberta email address when emailing me. I will answer emails between 8 AM and 5 PM on weekdays, and will respond to all emails within two working days. I will not answer emails on weekends.
Required Equipment:
To take part in this course, you must have a devise that is capable of logging into Zoom, and must be able to access UAlberta Google Drive accounts. Your devise must be capable of playing recorded videos with sound, as well as joining live web meetings. Your devise must have a webcam and microphone, so you can actively participate in course discussions. I recommend that you be able to watch YouTube videos on your device. A desktop or laptop computer is not required, but is strongly advised.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Linden, Rick (2020). Criminology: A Canadian Perspective (9th ed.). Toronto: Nelson Canada.
Other resources will be provided.
There are many older copies of Rick Linden’s book available. I will be teaching from the 9th edition, and will draw test questions directly from the book. I recommend that you buy a copy of the 9th edition, as I cannot promise that the older copies have the same information.
The University book store also offers a cheaper E-copy of this textbook.
3 COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, you will learn sociological and social psychological theories of crime in Canada.
We will discuss definitions of crime, how crime is defined and measured, and how these activities shape the way we understand crime, crime rates, and the like. In addition, we will examine the most common and widely-accepted theories explaining crime and criminal
behaviour as a social phenomenon. You will learn how to critically examine common, taken-for- granted assumptions that shape perceptions and popular images of crime. By the end of this class, you should have a good understanding of the various theories that try to explain crime.
Overall, this course will give you a strong theoretical understanding of crime and the criminal justice system, and will allow you to critically assess and engage with crime and criminal justice system policy on both an academic basis, and in your day-to-day conversations.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, students will be able to
• Define crime, criminology, and criminal law
• Discuss crime as a social phenomenon
• Describe how crime is measured, and what factors influence and shape crime measurement
• Outline the most common correlates of criminal behaviour
• Explain how definitions of crime have changed, and what factors motivated and drove those changes.
• Describe the differences between major criminological perspectives including classical, biological, rational choice, strain, differential association, and critical theories of crime.
• Discuss Canadian crime trends in the context of modern and historical definitions of crime
• Explain the connections between gender, race, socioeconomic status, and crime
• Apply the criminological theories taught in this course to a case study
COURSE FORMAT:
COVID-19 means that we cannot do a “usual” class. So, this class will look different from ones you have taken in the past
I am not expecting you to sit through six hours of online lecture each week, because that would be boring for you, and painful for me. Instead, I will deliver content using both recorded lectures, and in-person meetings.
4
• Each week, I will upload between 2 and 3 hours of recorded lectures, plus additional course materials, by 9 AM on Monday morning (first week is an exception). You will watch these and take notes at your convenience. We will NOT meet formally on Monday mornings, except for Week 1.
• At the first class, I will assign you to one of three groups. Each group will be assigned a time-slot (9:00 – 9:50 AM; 10:00 – 10:50 AM, and 11:00 – 11:50 AM).
• On Wednesday mornings, during your assigned time-slot, you will sign into Zoom, and will meet with me as a group for 50 minutes. During this hour, we will discuss the lecture material and readings for the week. I will expect you to have completed the
readings/lectures for the week by this time.
Jeff Danziger. napavalleyregister.com
CLASSROOM POLICIES/ATMOSPHERE:
I am committed to making this class a fun, engaging, and exciting place for you to learn, even though we cannot meet in person. We will engage in discussions which cover material above and beyond the textbook readings, and I will be designing text questions based on our discussions.
During our Zoom meetings, I request that you have your webcam on. This is important, as it helps create a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to active learning.
5 (Ali Solomon; @alicoaster)
LECTURE SCHEDULE
*Note: You will also be expected to watch video clips I upload to EClass. I will provide links and instructions on a week-by-week basis
Week 1:
July 6 – 10th
READ: Linden, Chapters 1 and 2
• Introduction, Review of the Syllabus, and Course Overview
• Defining crime and criminology
• Social context of dispute settlement
Week 2:
July 13 – 17th
6 READ: Linden Chapters 4 and 5
• Counting crime
• Measuring crime
• Correlates of Criminal Behaviour
July 17: Quiz 1 Due by 11:59 PM (15%)
Week 3:
July 20 – 24th
READ: Linden Chapters 8 and 15
• Early criminological theories
• Biological “explanations” of crime
• Deterrence, Routine Activity, and Rational Choice theories
July 24: Quiz 2 due by 11:59 PM (15%)
Week 4:
July 27 – 31st
READ: Linden Chapters 10 and 13
• Strain Theories
o Opportunity structures o Code of the Street
• Interactionist theories
o Social Control and Moral Entrepreneurship o Primary and secondary deviation
July 31th:Quiz 3 due by 11:59 PM (15%) Week 5:
August 4 – August 7th—Happy long weekend!!
7 READ: Linden Chapters 14, 11, and selection of 12 (ONLY pp. 327 – 338)
• Social Control theory (ch. 14) o Social integration o Social bonds
• Conflict Theories (ch. 11 – 12) o Group Conflict theory o Marxist theories o Risk theory
o Cultural Criminology
August 7th: Quiz 4 due by 11:59 PM (15%) Week 6:
August 10 – 12th (LAST DAY OF SEMESTER)
READ: Linden Chapters 6 and 14
• Feminist perspectives on criminology
• White collar and corporate crime
*note: I reserve the right to change the reading/lecture schedule, but if I do so, I will give you at least one week’s notice.
FINAL THEORY ASSIGNMENT DUE AUGUST 12 BY 11:59 PM, in EClass
8 GRADING AND EXAMINATION PROCEEDURES
Open-Book Quizzes (4 total) 15% each Quiz 1: July 17 Quiz 2: July 24 Quiz 3: July 31 Quiz 4: August 7
Class Participation 10% Ongoing
Final Theory Assignment 30% Due August 12th
Total: 100%
EXPLANATORY NOTES ON GRADING AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
60% of your grade will come from four quizzes. These quizzes will take place on EClass. Each quiz will open at 5:00 PM Thursday evening, and will be due by 11:59 PM on the Friday of the week in question (see schedule above).
Each quiz will consist of between 25 and 35 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and should take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You will have a two-hour time limit to finish each test. The quizzes will be designed to test your knowledge of the material delivered that week (In other words: they are NOT cumulative).
These quizzes will be open-book, and will be a variable combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, depending on the week. Late penalties will apply if you do not complete your exam by the time it is due (Which will always be Friday at 11:59 PM)
Because I am only asking you to attend one hour of class per week, it is essential that all students attend each scheduled class, and participate in the discussion. Please see the rubric below for my explanation on how I will grade individual participation (out of 10 marks maximum).
9 To get a mark of . . . .
Less than 5 out of 10 5 – 6 out of 10 7 – 8 out of 10 9 – 10 out of 10
• Does not attend class
• Does not participate in discussion
• Does not complete assignment
• Behaves
unprofessionally or inappropriately in Zoom classes
• Demonstrates no understanding of course materials
• Attends some classes
• Does not participate in discussion
• Hands in assignments late
• Demonstrates limited understanding of course material through comments, questions, and analysis
• Attends most classes
• Sometimes participates in discussion
• Demonstrates coherent, but not comprehensive, understanding of course material through comments, questions, and analysis
• Attends all classes
• Regularly asks questions and participates in discussion when possible
• Is punctual with assignments
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of course material through comments, questions, and analysis
Final Theory Application Assignment (30%):
This course does not have a final exam. Instead, the last portion of your grade will come from a theory application assignment, due on August 12 at 11:59 PM on EClass. This assignment gives you an opportunity to explain and apply one of the major criminological theories to a selected case study in 1500 – 2000 words.
I will provide you with a case study during the week of July 26 – 31st. This case study will detail a specific and distinctive social context, which demonstrates crime in the context of unique social, legal, political, and cultural forces.
On August 13, before 11:59 PM, you will give me a paper between 1,500 and 2,00 words in length (roughly 8 – 10 pages, double-spaced—including references). In this paper, you will systematically and critically analyze the social, legal, political and/or cultural forces at play in the case study.
I will provide you with a separate grading rubric, including detailed instructions for what to include in the paper, on EClass during the week of July 26 – 31.
See ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS for late assignment policies.
10 GRADING:
Marks for graded course requirements are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from all graded
components produces the final letter grade for the course. Marks for grades are not curved or scaled.
Letter % Pts Descriptor
A+ 95-100 4.0
Excellent
A 90-94 4.0
A- 85-89 3.7
B+ 80-84 3.3
Good
B 75-79 3.0
B- 70-74 2.7
C+ 66-69 2.3
Satisfactory
C 62-65 2.0
C- 58-61 1.7
D+ 54-57 1.3 Poor
D 50-53 1.0 Minimal Pass
F 0-49 0.0 Fail
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Attendance section of the University Calendar.
Absence from Term Work
Students are required to contact me within two working days following a missed exam or term work (or as soon as possible, considering the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence.
11 Excused absences are not automatic and are at my discretion. Below is a list of acceptable documentation to support an absence:
• For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:
o “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents).
o “Request for Excused Absence or Deferral of Term Work” Faculty of Arts form (https://www.ualberta.ca/arts/student-services/undergraduate-student-services/forms-for- students.htm)
o Statutory Declaration" (to be obtained from the Office of the Registrar).
• For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit documentation appropriate to the situation. This could include the following:
o For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate o For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor o For a car accident – a copy of the accident report
o For other serious afflictions – consult the Instructor or Department about appropriate documents
Policy for Missed Quizzes: You are required to complete four open-book quizzes as part of this course. Each quiz is due by 11:59 PM on the Friday of the week assigned (see Course
Requirements for exact dates). If you miss this quiz without a formally-approved absence, you will be penalized at a rate of 10% of your quiz mark per day. After the overall quiz grade per day up to a maximum of one week. After one week (7 days from the scheduled exam date), you will receive a grade of zero..
Policy for Late Assignments: Your final assignment is due by 11:59 on August 12, 2020. If you submit this assignment late, you will be penalized at a rate of 15% per day up to a maximum of 5 days. After this point, I will no longer accept your assignment.
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
STUDENT RESOURCES:
The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources (1-80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information or to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does
12 not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. This includes virtual environments and platforms.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
Academic Integrity
“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
https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/) 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.”
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
Audio or Video Recording
“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).”
Please note this carefully. I am providing you with recorded materials to ease your learning experience. However, this does NOT mean that I consent to any use of my recordings, lectures, or lecture materials of any sort outside of the class setting, without explicit written permission.
Course Outline Policy
"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar."
COPYRIGHT: WILLIAM SCHULTZ, FACULTY OF ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, 2020