Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - CCJ6638
Tracking Number - 2744
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Current Status:
Approved by SCNS - 2014-11-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: For PhD in Criminology changes. Approved 3/28/14. To Sys 4/23/14. To SCNS 5/1/14. CCJ 6601 appd as 6638 eff 11/1/14
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2012-02-07
- Department: Criminology
- College: BC
- Budget Account Number: 122100000
- Contact Person: Michael Lynch
- Phone: 8139748148
- Email: mjlynch@usf.edu
- Prefix: CCJ
- Number: 6638
- Full Title: Seminar in Nature and Causes of Crime
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: D -
Discussion (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: Y
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: Y
- If repeatable, how many times?: 3
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Seminar in Nature/Causes Crime
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 100
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites: None
- Corequisites: None
- Course Description: Examination of some of the issues green criminologists study and investigate why it is important to study these issues from a criminological perspective. Topics include crime against animals, forests, and water.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed to compete with national trends
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This course is being added in the context of a complete revision of the Department of Criminology graduate curriculum. The purposes of the revision are to ensure that the curriculum (a) is updated to reflect current themes/emphases in the discipline, (b) provides students with a well-rounded graduate education, (c) reflects the identity of the USF Department of Criminology and thereby the strengths/expertise of the faculty, and (d) improves outcomes on doctorate comprehensive exams. Adding this course will help us achieve these objectives. With the new curriculum, we seek to add courses that examine and attempt to explain particular manifestations of crime and the societal response to it. This course will provide graduate students with a more in depth education on the nature and causes of crime.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Earned doctorate/terminal degree in Criminology or a related discipline.
- Objectives: 1. Discuss the various definitions of green crimes
2. Introduce the research and theory utilized in the study of green crimes.
3. Explore means of social control of green crimes.
- Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. define green criminology;
2. identify major works in green criminology;
3. describe core ideas and theories in green criminology;
5. relate green criminology to relevant literature in other disciplines; and
6. identify how green criminology differs from orthodox criminology.
- Major Topics: Topics include crime against animals, forests, and water, the ways in which these crimes can be addressed, and the efforts of socially responsible actors to remedy these problems.
- Textbooks: Kovel, Joel. (2007). The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or the End of the World? NY: Zed Books.
Reece, Erik. (2006). Lost Mountain: A Year in the Vanishing Wilderness. Riverhead, NY: Riverhead Books.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation. Dan Fagin
The End of Nature -- Bill McKibben
Eaarth: Life on a Tough New Planet -- Bill McKibben
The Green Belt Movement -- Wangri Muta Maathi
Lake Effect: Two Sisters and a Town's Toxic Legacy -- Nancy NicholsThe Riverkeepers: Two Activists Fight to Reclaim our Environment as a Basic Human Right -- John Cronin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Assignment/Test Percent of Grade
Group Discussion 20%
Attendance 10%
Book Reviews 40%
Group Project 30 %
The following is the grading scale to be used: This course employs a standard +/- grading scale:
A = 95-100
A- = 90-94.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 84-86.9
B- = 80-83.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C = 74-76.9
C - = 70-73.9
D = 60-69.9
F = below 60.9
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: Course Requirements
There are three general types of assignments for this course: (1) book presentation; (2) two book reviews (cannot be on the book you present to the class); and (3) collection of news articles on environmental issues. These are explained in more detail below.
1. News Article Assignment (40% if chosen)
Collect and hand in 5 news items related to environmental issues. These may be clipped from newspapers or magazines, or come from web-based searches (“environmental news”). You should be prepared to volunteer to read your news items in class so that we may discuss these items.
The purpose of this assignment is to become aware of the range of environmental news and the variety of topics addressed in the environmental news. These items should also bring to light the severity of the environmental problems the world currently faces.
Grading: You get 1 point for each article handed in, and 1 point for including a
cover page for each article with YOUR summary of the article. Possible points: 10.
These assignments are due in class on SEPTEMBER 10th.
2. Book Reports (40% if chosen)
Each student is required to write two book reports on books. You MAY NOT write your book report on the book assigned for your group project.
Due Dates: Book reports are due on the day the book is assigned for review in class.
Each book report should address the following, and this description of the book report should be used as the outline:
(1) 5 page minimum;
(2) identify the major premise or thesis of the book;
(3) identify the thesis of the book, describe the evidence the author presents to support the thesis/premise, including the events/issues examined, their extent, impacts and potential solutions; (4) assess the argument the author made in the book.
(A) is it convincing?
(B) is this a topic with which criminologists should be concerned? Why or
why not?
(C) would you recommend this book to (i) friends, (ii) relatives, or (iii) other criminology students? Why or why not.
(5) Now that you have done the above, look up the author on the internet and read their biography in the book. Write a brief biography of the author. Does knowing more about the author influence your opinion?
3. Group Project/In-Class Presentation (30%)
Each group is assigned a book on which they will report. The group is expected to take at least one-half of a class period to provide a complete and thorough report on their assigned book and topic. Groups may, if needed, take the entire class period to complete their presentation.
Presentations will include, at minimum, an oral report on the assigned book, reviewing its contents and evidence. Presentations may include any additional materials the groups assembles to make their points about the book, such as video clips, power point presentations, posters, handouts and so on. These additional materials will help improve the score you receive on your project.
Groups will determine how the work is to be divided among group members, and the work load may be divided in any way as long as the group is comfortable with the work assignments. For example, the group might decide that one person will do the presentation, that a second person will type the report, that the third member will prepare a power point presentation, that a fourth member will create the bibliography (see below) and prepare other materials required by the groups, while all four members will also be responsible for writing a section of the group presentation.
Groups must hand in the following before they begin their presentations:
1. Title sheet with assigned topic and list of group members;
2. a summary report (5 pages) that includes an outline of the presentation, and a summary of details to be addressed in the presentation;
3. a bibliography of a minimum of 15 journal articles and books related to your topic which illustrate the kinds of research that has been done on this topic.
4. Attendance (10%)
Attendance will be taken randomly. Your attendance score is constructed based on your attendance percentage. A rubric detailing the specifics of how grading will be determined will be provided the first day of class.
5. Group Discussion (20%)
A rubric detailing the specifics of how grading will be determined will be provided and discussed the first day of class.
- Attendance Policy: Attendance
1. Students are required to attend every class.
2. Attendance is required at the first class meeting. Students who do not attend will be dropped from the course.
3. Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
4. Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm) Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term if they intend to be absent for a class or announced examination, in accordance with this policy.
5. Last Day to Withdraw. The last day to withdraw without penalty is ____________
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Make-up work will be allowed due to medical reasons if you notify me prior to class and provide documentation.
Incomplete (I) grades are strongly discouraged and will be given if, and only if, (1) the student has completed a majority of the course requirements and is otherwise earning a passing grade, and (2) the student shows significant proof of hardship that disallows him or her to complete the coursework.
- Program This Course Supports: Criminology
- Course Concurrence Information:
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.