Kent State University
Department of Justice Studies
Course
syllabus for JUS 66763/POL 6/70704, Fall 2006
• Dr. P. Tontodonato
• Theories of Crime and Juvenile Delinquency
• Office: 113-G Bowman Hall
• Phone: 330-672-2775 (Dept. line staffed 8:30-5:00)
• 330-672-0318 (Professor’s direct line/voice mail)
• Office hours: M 1-3 pm; 5:00-5:30
pm; Tu 10 am -12:30 pm
• E-mail: ptontodo@kent.edu
Course Description and Overview:
This course
is a graduate level introduction to a variety of explanations of crime and
delinquency. We will examine the major theories that have been utilized
to account for criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency. In the tradition of
graduate education, the course will be taught seminar style. (It is not a strictly
lecture format course.) The student is
expected to complete all reading assignments on time (prior to class) and
actively participate in class discussion.
A ‘B’ or better (83%) is considered a passing grade at the
graduate level.
Required
(1) Required Texts:
Criminological
Theory: Past to present (Essential readings), 3rd edition, Francis Cullen and
Robert Agnew, 2006, Roxbury Publishing. ISBN 1-931719-63-2.
(2) Required reserve reading: The following materials have
been placed on reserve at the KSU main library. (They are noted with
"Reserve" in the course outline.) We will read excerpts from (1) Crime and Public Policy: Putting theory to
work, Hugh Barlow, 1995, Westview Press and (2)
Several chapters from Hancock and Sharp’s Public policy, crime, and criminal justice, 2004, Prentice Hall. If
it is necessary, I may add more articles during the semester.
Course Requirements and Grading:
(1) Completion of all reading assignments prior to class. Note that Graduate level reading is
more demanding and complicated than undergraduate level work. Note that this course has challenging reading
assignments; assume you will read 40-60 pages per week for the course.
(2) Class participation and attendance. The KSU policy on attendance
is that students are expected to attend class. I have the same expectation. The
student is responsible for all missed work. Participation in class
discussion and attendance are 10% of your grade. You are expected to read the material prior
to class and contribute to the discussion (you cannot earn all 10% if you do
not speak up during the class). Excused absences are those that conform to KSU
policy, namely death in the immediate family, military call-up, or documentable medical illness. The student is responsible for all absences;
if you miss class, you will need to get the material from another student.
(3) Examinations: There will be a mid-term
(30% of grade) and a final exam (35% of grade). These exams are in-class,
essay, and closed book. The student is responsible for bringing blue
books for the exams.
(4) E-mail communications and
Internet access: The student will need to check their
(5) Paper assignment: The student will write a
research paper of 14-20 pages on a specific theory of criminality or
delinquency. This work necessitates the use of scholarly databases found
through the KSU library. Please allow for research time at KSU for this
aspect of the course. The paper is 25% of the grade and the topic must be
approved in advance by the professor. This paper should cover the theory's
development, modifications, and variants, as well as its policy implications
and any attempts to test the validity of the theory. The paper topic is due
October 16; a tentative bibliography is due October 30 (or sooner, if you
prefer). The paper itself is due November 27.
The paper will be described in more detail on a separate
handout, but please note that (1) No late papers will be accepted; (2) No
papers on unapproved topics will be accepted; (3) The paper must be written
specifically for this course and cannot be used for another course (past or
present); (4) A paper which is purchased or one which the student has not
him/herself done all the work (i.e., plagiarized) will receive a zero for the
assignment and the student will be brought up on charges in Student Conduct
Court.
(6) Academic honesty: Cases of cheating and
plagiarism will be handled according to University policy as expressed in the
University “Digest of Rules and Regulations” and summarized in the
paper provided on my website (see the Cheating
and Plagiarism handout). Cheating includes
such acts as presenting false evidence of a course or exam absence, attempting
to obtain or consulting an old exam, and communicating with another student
during the course of an exam. Plagiarism
includes appropriation of information from sources (including the Internet)
without attribution. Unethical behavior
of this sort could result in a zero on the exam (or paper), an ‘F’
in the course, and a visit to the
(7)
(New) KSU Grading scale (Plus/minus system): The plus/minus grading scale
follows this distribution:
94-100% = A
90-93.9% = A-
88-89.9% = B+
83-87.9% = B
80-82.9% = B-
78-79.9% = C+
73-77.9% = C
70-72.9% = C-
68-69.9% = D+
60-67.9% = D
59.9 % or lower = F
Miscellaneous
(1) Students with disabilities: In accordance with KSU policy (3342-3-18), if you
have a documented disability and require reasonable accommodations to obtain
equal access in this course, contact the professor at the beginning of the
semester. Students with disabilities must first verify their eligibility
through the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SDS) in the
(2) Official KSU holidays (i.e., no class): September 4 (Labor Day).
(3) Technology rules in the classroom: Cell phones,
pagers, etc. should be turned off during class time. Further, do not
bring any such devices to class on exam days.
(4) Questions? Missed announcements,
handouts, etc. are the student’s responsibility, and you will need to
check with another student in the class to find out what you missed. Otherwise, I do not mind being e-mailed, but
be aware that I do not check it every day.
COURSE OUTLINE: Topics and Corollary
Introduction --
Introduction: Understanding Criminological Theory, Cullen and Agnew (C&A),
pp. 1-15
Theory and Public Policy—
Reserve: Hojnacki (in Hancock and Sharp),
Chapter 1
Reserve: Petersilia (in Hancock and Sharp),
Chapter 22
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 1, pp. 1-13
The origins of modern criminology--
Part I, C&A, pp. 18-22
The Classical School--
Chapter 1, C&A, pp. 23-25 (An Essay on Crimes and Punishments: Beccaria);
The Neo-Classical Revival: Rational
Choice and Routine Activities Theories--
Parts X and XI, Chapters 37-39, C&A, pp. 404-443 (Stafford and Warr,
Cornish and Clarke, Cohen and Felson);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 10 (Felson and Clarke, pp.179-190)
The Positivist School:
Biological and Psychological Theories--
Part II Introduction, C&A, pp. 29-38;
Chapter 5, C&A, pp. 67-75 (Rowe);
Chapter 6, C&A, pp. 76-84 (Caspi et al.)
The Chicago School/Social
Disorganization Theory--
Part III Introduction, C&A, pp. 86-194;
Chapter 7, C&A, pp. 95-101 (Shaw and McKay);
Chapter 8, C&A, pp. 102-107 (Sampson and Wilson);
Chapter 9, C&A, pp. 109-114 (Sampson et al.)
Differential Association, Subcultural, and Social Learning Theories--
Part IV Introduction, C&A, pp. 115-121;
Chapter 10, C&A, pp. 122-125 (Sutherland and Cressey);
Chapter 12, C&A, pp. 134-146 (Akers);
Chapter 13, C&A, pp. 147-150 (Wolfgang and Ferracuti);
Chapter 14, C&A, pp. 151-161 (Anderson)
Paper
topic due October 16
Anomie/Strain Theories--
Part V Introduction, C&A, pp. 162-170;
Chapter 15, C&A, pp. 171-178 (Merton);
Chapter 16, C&A, pp. 179-183 (Cohen);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 8 (Gorman and White, pp. 131-156)
Midterm
exam October 23
Anomie/Strain Theories,
continued
Chapter 18, C&A, pp. 191-200 (Rosenfeld
and Messner);
Chapter 19, C&A, pp. 201-209 (Agnew);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 4 (Agnew, pp. 43-70)
Varieties of Control Theory--
Part VI Introduction, C&A, pp. 210-218;
Chapter 20, C&A, pp. 219-227 (Hirschi);
Chapter 21, C&A, pp. 228-240 (Gottfredson and Hirschi);
Chapter 30, C&A, pp. 330-337 (Colvin);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 6 (Laub et al., pp. 91-106)
Labeling, Interaction, and Crime--
Part VII Introduction, C&A, pp. 264-272;
Chapter 24, C&A, pp. 273-276 (Lemert);
Chapter 25, C&A, pp. 277-285 (Braithwaite);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 11 (Braithwaite, pp. 191-205)
Critical Criminology--
Part VIII Introduction, C&A, pp. 294-303;
Chapter 28, C&A, pp. 312-317 (Quinney);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 2 (Turk, pp. 15-27)
Feminist Theories--
Part IX Introduction, C&A, pp. 347-358;
Chapter 33, C&A, pp. 367-373 (Chesney-Lind);
Chapter 34, C&A, pp. 374-382 (Heimer and DeCoster);
Chapter 35, C&A, pp. 383-393 (Messerschmidt);
Reserve: Barlow, Ch. 12 (Stanko, pp. 207-226)
Integrated Theories--
Part XIV Introduction, C&A, pp. 529-536;
Chapter 46, C&A, pp. 537-550 (Elliott et al.);
Chapter 47, C&A, pp. 551-562 (Thornberry)
Developmental Theories (if time permits)--
Part XIII Introduction, C&A, pp. 482-494;
Chapter 43, C&A, pp. 495-501 (Patterson et al.);
Chapter 45, C&A, pp. 522-528 (Laub and Sampson)
Paper
due November 27
Final
exam: Monday, December 11, 5:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (note earlier start
time)
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Page last updated August 11, 2006