Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - CCJ7605
Tracking Number - 2755
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Current Status:
Approved by SCNS - 2015-01-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: For PhD in Crim. Approved 3/4/14. To USF Sys 3/19. to SCNS 3/27/14. Nmbr 7010 approved as 7605. Effective 1/1/15
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2012-02-09
- Department: Criminology
- College: BC
- Budget Account Number: 122100000
- Contact Person: Michael Lieber
- Phone: 8139749704
- Email: mjleiber@usf.edu
- Prefix: CCJ
- Number: 7605
- Full Title: Theories of Criminal Behavior I
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Theories of Crim. Behavior I
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites:
- Corequisites:
- Course Description: The course is part 1 of a two semesters designed to expose students to the foundations of social scientific theory and the major paradigms within sociology, social psychology, and criminology on which most criminological theories are based.
- 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? Justification: 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. We are expanding the required courses in theories of criminal behavior from one class to two.
- 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: • Expose students to the foundations of social scientific theory and the major paradigms within sociology, social psychology, and criminology on which most criminological theories are based;
• Examine crime measurement and the correlates of crime as they relate to theory.
- Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
• identify, describe, and critically evaluate major criminological theories;
• discuss the theoretical explanations as to why individuals and/or groups commit juvenile delinquency, crime, and overall deviance.
- Major Topics: Elements and Assessments of Theory
Policy: Making How Relevant is Criminology
Measurement of Crime
Classical and Positive Traditions in Criminology
Social Disorganization and New Community Perspectives
Social Control and Social Support
Self-Control Theory
Reconceptualization
- Textbooks: Hirschi, T. (2004) Causes of Delinquency. Transaction Press.
Kurbrin, C., T. Stuckey, and M. Krohn (2009) Researching Theories of Crime and Deviance. Oxford
University Press. – MAIN TEXT
Mosher, C., T. Miethe, and T. Hart. (2011) The Mismeasure of Crime. Sage Publications.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Boduszek, D. M. Shevlin , G.Adamson & P. Hyland (2013) “Eysenck's Personality Model and Criminal Thinking Style within a Violent and Nonviolent Offender Sample: Application of Propensity Score Analysis”, Deviant Behavior, 34:6, 483-493
Cohen, L. and M. Felson (1979) “Social Change and Crime Rate Trends: A Routine Activity Approach” American Sociological Review 44: 588-608.
Farnworth, M., T. Thornberry, M. Krohn, and A. Lizotte (1994) “Measurement in the Study of Class and Delinquency” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency,32-61.
Farnworth, M (1989) “Theory Integration versus Model Building” in Theoretical Integration in the Study of Deviance and Crime, Problems and Prospects. Eds. Messner, Krohn and Liska. Chapter 6.
Grasmick, H., C. Tittle, R. Bursik, and B. Arneklev (1993) “Testing the Core Empirical Implications of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 30: 5-29.
Greenberg, D. (1999) “The Weak Strength of Social Control Theory” Crime & Delinquency 45(1): 66-81.
Kubrin, C. and R. Weitzer (2003) “New Directions in Social Disorganization Theory” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 40: 374-402.
Kubrin, C. and G. Ousey (2009) “Exploring the Connection Between Immigration and Violent Crime in US Cities, 1980-2000”. Social Problems, 56(3): 447-473.
Mears, D. and J. Cochran (forthcoming) “What is the effect of IQ on offending? Criminal Justice & Behavior, DOI: 10.1177/0093854813485736.
Piquero, A. “Measuring Self-Control” in E. Goode (ed.) Out of Control: Assessing the General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press. 26-37.
Piquero, A. and G. Progarsky (2002) “Beyond Stafford and Warr’s Reconceptualization Of Deterrence: Personal and Vicarious Experiences, Impulsivity, and Offending Behavior” Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency, 39(2): 153-186.
Piquero, A. and J. Bouffard (2007) “Something Old, Something New: A Preliminary Investigation of Hirschi’s Redefined Self‐Control” Justice Quarterly 24 – 1-27.
Pratt, T. and F. Cullen (2000) “The Empirical Status of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime: A Meta-Analysis” Criminology 38: 931-964.
Tittle, C. and R. Meier (1990) “Specifying the SES/Delinquency Relationship” Criminology, 28: 271-299.
Vaughn, M., K. Beaver and M. DeLisi (2009) “A General Biosocial Paradigm of Antisocial Behavior: A Preliminary Test in a Sample of Adolescents” Journal of Youth Violence & Juvenile Justice 279-298.
Yang, Y., A. Glenn, M. Peskin, R. Schug, and A. Raine “Biosocial Bases of Antisocial Behavior” Chapter M. DeLisi and K. Beaver (eds.) Criminological Theory: A Life-Course Approach. Jones and Bartlett.
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Class participation is central to the course. As graduate students, I expect and want interactive engagement in class discussion. I will provide a brief setup at each meeting and try to provide the stage for the class discussion. In an effort to accomplish this collective discussion I will be assigning anywhere from 1 to 3 students to be in charge of leading the discussion on the assigned readings as well as provide probing questions.
Summary of Grading:
Two in-house exams = each worth 25% for a total of 50% of your final grade
One paper= 20% = 20-25 pages in length
Presentation=10%
Two Talk write ups= 20% (10% each)
Grading Scale
A 90-100
A- 89-89.9
B+ 88-88.9
B 80-87.9
B- 79-79.9
C+ 78-78.9
C 68-77.9
C- 67-67.9
D+ 66-66.9
D 61-65.9
D- 60-60.9
F 59 or less
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: EXAMS (2@25%)
In addition to class participation for students, there will be two in-class exams. Tests will consist of an essay(s). You will receive essay questions one week before the exam date. The essay will be graded in terms of substance – the use of analytical/critical thinking, organization, and presentation (writing). No outside material, only the class discussion, readings and articles should be incorporated into the essay. Mores specifics on the exam will be given in class. For doctoral students, each exam is worth 25 percent of your final grade.
During the administration of each examination, no late exams will be handed out after the first exam has been completed.
PAPER (20%)
Students will be also responsible for a 20-25 page paper that centers on a theory. A minimum of 20 sources need to be used and not more than a reliance on 5 books. The paper should discuss origin and development of a criminological theory. Within the historical presentation there needs to be a critical evaluation of the perspective that includes strengths and weaknesses of the theoretical development and empirical research and links to policy. More specifics on the paper and other requirements will be given in a separate document. This exercise is worth 30 percent of your final grade. A theory to be covered must be chosen from topics discussed in class during the semester.
PRESENTATION (10%)
Students will be responsible for a presentation. The presentation will be based off your written paper. More information will be provided in class. The presentation should last 15 minutes.
ATTENDING TALKS (20%)
A final requirement for students involves attending and reporting on two talks on campus (e.g., a masters or dissertation defense, faculty brown bag, faculty recruitment, guest speaker on campus, etc.). Each one should be 2-3 pages and contain what theory is applicable or discussed and what the talk was about. More specifics will be discussed in class. Each exercise is worth 10 percent for a total of 20 percent of your final grade.
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting is mandatory. Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories 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)
The last day to withdraw from the course without penalty is ____________________.
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.
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: Canvas, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Canvas 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: If you need to be absent due to medical reasons (yours or your immediate family's) on an exam day, please provide a physician's note and notify me PRIOR to class.
NO INCOMPLETES will be given.
The field of criminal justice is based upon the integrity of those people working in it. It is assumed that students taking this class will live up to the highest levels of academic honesty. If the instructor has reason to believe a student is cheating or being academically dishonest in any way, proceedings may be instituted to have the student dismissed from the program and/or the University. An F received as a result of academic dishonesty automatically eliminates you from the major. If you receive an F in a criminology course which was as a result of academic dishonesty you may not repeat this course.
Any form of cheating on examinations or plagiarism on assigned papers constitutes unacceptable deceit and dishonesty. Disruption of the classroom or teaching environment is unacceptable. Selected examples from the USF policies and procedures regarding academic dishonesty or disruption of academic process are included in this syllabus. Students are responsible for adherence to all USF policies and procedures even if they are not specifically printed in this syllabus. The complete set of policies and procedures may be found at:
* Procedures for Alleged Academic Integrity: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/1213/pdf/AcademicIntegrityOfStudents.pdf
* Procedures for Disruption of the Academic Process: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/1213/pdf/DisruptionOfAcademicProcess.pdf
* Student Academic Grievance Procedures -- http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/1213/pdf/StudentAcademicGrievanceProcedures.pdf
- Program This Course Supports: Criminology PhD
- Course Concurrence Information: None
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.