COURSE SYLLABUS
Soci 2336, Section 09018,
RGC
16 Week Session: Tue January
16, 2001 thru Tue May 9, 2001
CLASS: TUESDAY, 12:00PM- 2:40PM, RGC ANEX A256
OFFICE: Adjunct Faculty Office
Austin Community College
PHONE: 223-3248, RGC, 223-4827 NRG
11928 Stonehollow Dr.
VOICE MAIL: 223-1795, Box 23434#
Austin, Tx 78758
e-mail: jtaylor@austin.cc.tx.us cc
HOME PAGE: http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/jtaylor/
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday: 11:30am-12:00pm
and 2:40pm-3:10pm
Hours can be asrranged by appointment
Texts: Criminology by Siegal (7th ed.)
Study Guide for Criminology by Alverez
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison by Reiman (6th ed.)
WEB SITES:
WADSWORTH CRIMINOLOGY
PROFESSOR
DORSETT'S CJ SITE
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will demonstrate:
1. An understanding
of the various definitions of crime, criminal behavior and criminology.
2. An understanding
of the major theories of crime causation.
3. A knowledge of
research methods used in the study of criminal behavior.
4. A knowledge of
the classifications of criminal behavior.
5. A knowledge of
the criminal justice system through direct contact with criminal justice
agencies and
profesionals in the criminal justice field
There are no tests in this course as this is a seminar/field trip class. Your grade is based on:
1. Attendance: In
a seminar you must be here in order to participate in class discussion/field
trips. You can make up only THREE absences.
2. Participation: In a seminar you are required to participate
in the discussion as part of your grade. Your participation is the way
that you show you studied the assigned material before class discussion.
3. Learning Objectives: Since there are no tests you are to
write out the answers to the learning objectives for Chapters, 1 - 3, 5
- 10 found in the Study Guide. Turn in at least 2 chapters per week.
4. Background Papers: Summarize materials that relate
to a given field trip or speakers' panel. These papers show that you read
the material that directly relates to the field trips or panel discussion
before
we take the trips or hear the speakers.
5. Obtaining speakers and/or arranging field trips: The assignments
will be made the first day of class.
6. Book report on The Rich Get Richer And the Poor Get Prison
for
a grade above a C.
For a "A"
1. Attend
and participate in the discussion of all classes.
2. Do
the objectives for chapters 1-3, 5 - 10
3. Prepare
12
background
papers and turn in on time.
4. Get
speakers and/or arrange field trips.
5. Do
a book report of The Rich Get Richer And the Poor Get Prison.
For a "B"
1. Attend and participate in the discussion of 12 classes.
2. Do the objectives for chapters 1-3, 5 - 10.
3. Prepare 10 background papers and turn in on time.
4. Get speakers and/or arrange field trips.
5. Do a book report of The Rich Get Richer And the Poor Get Prison.
For a "C"
1. Attend and
participate in the discussion of 10 classes.
2. Do the objectives
for chapters 1-3, 5 - 10.
3. Prepare a
background papers for 8 speakers/field trips and turn in on time.
4. Get speakers
and/or arrange field trips.
For a "D" (Note: A "D"
is not a transferable grade and it lowers your GPA.)
1. Attend and participate in the discussion of 8 classes.
2. Prepare a 6 background paper for speakers/fields.
3. Get speakers and/or arrange field trips.
For a "F" This grade should be avoided at
all costs.
1. Do less than the requirements for a "D".
2. Fail to withdraw yourself if you stop attending class.[Last day
to withdraw is Friday, April 21.]
3. Engage in any form of scholastic dishonesty
Incompletes: A grade of Incomplete (I) can be granted only if serious and documented emergencies prevent you from completing course requirements on schedule. See the instructor..
1. Be sure that you turn
in your written assignments by the deadlines given so that your grade will
not be lowered.
2. Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student
caught cheating will be given a grade of F. There will be no
exceptions. Plagiarization --turning in work done by someone else
or copied without giving credit to the writer--will not be tolerated. Plagiarization
will result in a grade of F.
3. Any student who does not withdraw from the course will get a grade
of F. Students, not professors, are responsible for withdrawing
from class. Last day to withdraw is Friday, April 21.
4. All work must be typed and should be turned in to me. I am not
responsible for any work placed in my
mailbox.
Punctual attendance is necessary as this is a field trip and panel of speakers class. Only THREE absences can be made up. Any additional absences will lower your grade. The only way a seminar class with speakers and field trips can operate is for all students to be early, and not just on time. Allow extra time for all possible problems. If you are early, you lose nothing but if you are late it will require extra work, or if you do it repeatedly, it can lower you grade. There are no tardies. If you are not on time, you are absent. Please be sure that you are early for all classes & field trips.
MAKE UP WORK FOR ABSENCES. (Excluding the last two weeks of the
semester.)
Consult with the professor during his next scheduled office hours for
topics to be discussed in your make-up paper. No make-up paper will be
accepted unless it has been discussed with the professor BEFORE you start.
REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN ONLY MAKE UP THREE ABSENCES WITHOUT AFFECTING
YOUR GRADE
Jan 23, Chapters 1, 2 and 3
The professor will lead a round table discussion on Chapter 1.
Study these chapters carefully. There will be no lectures after the first
two weeks of the semester.
Jan 30, THEORIES OF CRIME -- Chapters 5 - 10
Read the chapters carefully. You will need to review these chapters
regularly during the semester, as they form the perspective for the course.
Your participation, questions, and comments must show that you have studied
the assigned material and that you are operating from a sociological perspective
and not from a individualistic psychological perspective and/or
personal perspective.
Chapters 1 - 3, 5 - 10 are not directly covered by field trips/panels. Since I give no tests you are required to write out the answers to these chapters and turn them in during the first part of the semester. You must turn in a minimum of 2 chapters per week.
The purpose of the Background Papers is to prepare you for each field trip/panel discussion. Summarize the material that relates to a given field trip using the textbook, study guide and information from news sources and the web.These papers are to be completed before we take a field trip or convene a panel of speakers. Each assignment is due at the beginning of class the day of each field trip/panel.
These papers should contain the following items:
Part A Summarize what the text has to say about the topic.
Part B: Summarize what others sources say about the topic. [Other
sources include newspapers, Time, Newsweek, and the Internet. [Internet
not required but is strongly recommended.]
Writing format for the papers: All assignments are to be typed (12pt fond). At the heading of the each paper type the title, date turned in, and your name, and class. Do not use a cover page.
Do a book report on The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prisonby
Jeffery Reiman, 5th ed.
A. Do a chapter by chapter summary, remember that the conclusion
is
a chapter.
B. Examine Time, Newsweek, and the Austin American Statesman
for articles that relate to each chapter. Summarize and compare the articles
with each chapter.
C. Compare the chapters with chapter 13 in the text (Siegel).
Internet
research strongly encouraged.
The book report is due Tuesday, April 3. All work must be typed and should be turned in to me. I am not responsible for any work placed in my mailbox.
Each student is required to obtain speakers and/or to arrange field trips for the class. A list of speakers and field sites is provided below. If you know someone that is not on the list and that can come to the class and speak please let the professor know. You must reserve your topic the first day of class. All arrangements are to be completed during the first week of the semester. This means that you must get started the first day of class. You are to have a written report for the professor by the second class.
Steps for completing this assignment so that you will get credit for this part of the course:
1. Reserve the topic of interest to you the first day of class.
2. Call the person immediately (speaker or field trip coordinator) and see agree on the assigned day and time. Verify the address and phone number. Do not make any changes in dates or times without first checking with the professor. IF YOU CAN NOT CONTACT THE PERSON BY PHONE, IMMEDIATELY WRITE THEM A LETTER.
3. Once the speaker accepts, write them a conformation letter and include a map of the Northridge campus. If you have arranged a field trip write the coordinator a conformation letter. Give the professor a copy of the conformation letter.
4. Fill out a field trip/speaker form for each speaker/field trip and turn it in the second week of class.
5. If the field trip/speaker is scheduled six weeks or more into the semester, you are to send a second letter on Monday of the week before the speaker/field trip is scheduled. This letter is a or "We are looking forward to the field trip on Tuesday, 1:00pm -3:00pm." or "We are looking forward to having you speak on Thursday ______ at noon" letter (with a copy to the professor).
6. On the day before the field trip is to be taken or the speaker is to be on campus, call and reconfirm the day and time. If there is a problem immediately contact the professor.
7. Prepare a letter of thanks to the field trip coordinator/speaker, have the class members and the professor sign it at the next class, and mail it to the field trip coordinator/speaker.
If you do all 7 steps you will get credit for this option. NOTE: If you have done steps 1 - 6 and the speaker or field trip must cancel at the last minute you will still get credit. If you fail to do steps 1 - 6 you will not get credit.
FIELD TRIPS
When you call the person to arrange the field trip be sure that you:
1. State that you are a student in Dr. Jack Taylor's Criminology Class at Austin Community College.
2. Ask them if they can arrange a field trip on Tuesday , _____ 1:00pm - 3:00pm. [SOME PLACES CAN ONLY GIVE US 1 HOUR FOR A TOUR.] Note the difference in time between field trips and speakers in-class.
3. Once they have accepted be sure that you send a confirmation letter with a copy to the professor.
4. If the field trip is scheduled six weeks or more into the semester you are to send a second letter on Monday of the week before the field trip is scheduled . This is a "We are looking forward to the field trip on Tuesday, _____ 1:00pm - ???pm letter" with a copy to the professor.
5. Be sure that you call the day before
the field trip and reconfirm. If there is a problem contact the professor
immediately.
SPEAKERS
When you call the person to invite them to speak be sure that you:
1. State that you are a student in Dr. Jack Taylor's Criminology class that meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Rio Grande Campus of Austin Community College in room ANEX A256.
2. Ask them if they can be part of a panel discussion on Probation and Parole [Apr. 3] or Victims of Crime [May 1] from Noon - 1:30pm (1 1/2 hours). Be sure that you confirm the mailing address and phone number. If they cannot come ask them if there is someone else in their organization that can be a part of the panel.
3. Once they have accepted be sure that you send a confirmation letter along with a map of the RIO GRANDE Campus and give the professor a copy of the confirmation letter.
4. You are to send a second letter on Monday of the week before the speaker is scheduled. This is a "We are looking forward to having you speak on Thursday, ......... at NOON letter" (with a copy to the professor).
DATE _______ INVITATION PHONE CALL _________ CONFIRMATION LETTER ____
REMINDER LETTER _____REMINDER PHONE CALL _______ LETTER OF THANKS_____
===============================================================
SPEAKER/FIELD TRIP SELECTED __________________________________
DATE _______ INVITATION PHONE CALL _________ CONFIRMATION LETTER ____
REMINDER LETTER _____REMINDER PHONE CALL _______ LETTER OF THANKS_____
================================================================
SPEAKER/FIELD TRIP SELECTED __________________________________
DATE _______ INVITATION PHONE CALL _________ CONFIRMATION LETTER ____
REMINDER LETTER _____REMINDER PHONE CALL _______ LETTER OF THANKS_____
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Field trip to the District Attorneys office
Norma Alverez 473-9400
District Attorneys Office
P.O. Box 1748
Austin, Texas 78767
Margret Owens 448-7000
Rosie Labrado, Director 452-6481
Gardner-Betts Juvenile Detention Center
Turman House TYC facility
2515 South Congress
7308 Cameron
Austin, Texas 78704
Austin, Texas 78752
For this section we will tour Austin Police Department, and the Department of Public Safety.
Officer Fred Chin 480-5297
Department of Public Safety [Beth Warren]
or Community Services 480-5011
Public Information Office 465-2080
Austin Police Department
P.O. Box 4087
715 East 8th St.
Austin, TX 78773
Austin, Texas 78701
Mary L Neal is court coordinator - 473-9442
Judge John Wisser In the past we have visited with Judge Wisser &
then observed
299th District Court a trial in his court. (He gave an excellent review
of the
Austin, Texas criminal court system in Texas.)
For this section we will tour the Travis County jails.
Captain Martinez 473-9003
Captain Balagia 473-9033
[His office arranges tours of the
(Lt. Krebs arranges tours of Dale Valle)
downtown jail.]
Travis County Sheriff's Dept.
Travis County Sheriff's Dept.
3614 Bill Price Rd (FM. 973)
P.O. Box 1748
Del Valle, Texas 78617
Austin, Texas 78773
Cyntia Caldwell 512-268-0079 FAX 512-268-0366
Wackenhut Corrections Corporation
701 S.IH 35
Kyle, Texas 78640
Cleonne M Drake 406-5424 Raven Kazan 406-5411
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, Victim Services
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd
P O. Box 13401 Capital Station
Austin, Texas 78711
Nancy Bartlett , Carol Nelson 305-9341
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Community Justice Assistance Division
Suite 600B, Building B
8100 Cameron Rd. Austin, Tx 78711
Stennett Posey/ Gerald Garrett 406-5790 (fax 406-5894) (Parole division.)
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
P. O. Box 13401 Capitol Station
Austin, Tx 78711
Cris A. Mealy J. D. 863-6353
P. O. Box 326
Georgetown, Texas 78627-0326
[Mr. Mealy served on the State Pardons & Parole Board]
VICTIMS OF CRIMES AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Cleonne M Drake 406-5424 Raven Kazan 406-5411
Mrs Drake came to both panels in the Spring.
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, Victim Services
She has a varied background in criminal justice.
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd
P O. Box 13401 Capital Station
Austin, Texas 78711
Joyce Issacs 892-0456
For Love of Cristi - 329-5900
6906 Range Oak Circle
1705 S. Capitol of Tx. Hgy. Suite 310
Austin, Texas 78749
Austin, Tx 78746
Mary Lieberman 480-5037
Mothers against Drunk Driving - 328 - 6233
Victim Services Division
2525 Wallingwood Dr. Suite 700
Austin Police Dept.
Austin, Texas 78746
715 E. 8th St.
Austin, Texas 78701
Texas Attorney General Office
(crime victims ) 463-2015
Victim Witness Program 473-9007
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
Travis County Sheriff's Dept.
P. O. Box 684813
P.O. Box 1748
Austin, Tx. 78767 (phone 445-1049)
Austin, Texas 78767
Bobbie Newland 473-9449
Texas Coalition for Prevention of Child Abuse
Victim Witness Program
11490 Jollyville Rd. Suite 395-N
District Attorneys Office
Austin, Texas 78759 (phone 250-8438)
P.O. Box 1748 Austin, Texas 78767
Verna Lee Carr 837-7282
Texas Council on Family Violence 794-1133
People Against Violent Crime
3425 Greystone Drive Suite 220
P. O. Box 92621
Austin, Texas 78731
Austin, Texas 78709
Donna Geissen 473-9709
Carol Funderburg 463 -1919
Travis County Victims Services
Director of Victim Services
P.O. Box 1748
Office of the Governor
Austin, Texas 78767
209 W 14th St.
Austin, Texas 78701
Jack Mason 305-9300 (fax) 305-9370
[Deals with victims of those on probation.]
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
Community Justice Assistance Division
209 W 14th St. Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78701
There are some special requirements for this class. Please go over them carefully. If you cannot meet these requirements, you will need to withdraw from the class.
1. Regular attendance is required. You are allowed to make up only THREE absences. Make up work is quite difficult, and time consuming, as well as a lot less interesting than the speakers and field trips.
2. Students must be EARLY for field trips and classes. This means that you must arrive at the site before 12:30pmfor in-town trips and before 12:15pm for the 3 out-of-town trips and a minimum of 5 minutes before the in-class classes begins. In order to insure that you meet this requirement, do not schedule a class before this class and do not schedule a class after this class in order to allow for travel time from field trips.
3. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from field trips. We will set up car pools to help reduce the cost, but you must be able to provide your own transportation, just in case you cannot car pool.
4. There are some very strict rules at some of the sites that we will visit. In order to avoid problems we will observe the following rules for allfield trips.
a. There will be a dress code: You are to dress as though you were going to church or some semi-formal event. NO GRUNGE! No short dresses or skirts, no shorts, NO T-SHIRTS, NO TANK TOPS, no sleeveless or low cut shirts or blouses, no caps, no dirty or torn clothes, no high heel shoes, no torn or wild color shoes. No belt purses or belt billfolds. Neat, clean, nonfaded, loose fitting blue jeans are acceptable. Men are not to wear ear rings or any other jewelry that is considered feminine. Be sure that your outfit has a pocket for your Drivers License and car keys.
b. You are not to bring any of the following: Texts, notebooks, backpacks, purses, large key rings, knives, pagers, and cellular phones. Lock all of these items in your car. Detach your car keys from your key ring.
c. You are required to bring your Drivers License, DPS ID, or your passport on all field trips. Be sure that your outfit has a pocket for your ID and your car keys.
d. You must stay with the group at all times.
You must never wander off or stay behind when the group moves on.
While in lock-down facilities (jails and prisons) you are not to touch,
exchange anything, or accept anything from an inmate whether the inmate
is in a cell or outside the cell.
e. You must follow any instructions given by the tour guide, immediately and without question. All instructions given are for safety.
f. If you are late to a field trip do not attemptto enter the site or catch up with the class. The sites do not have extra help to escort you to our location.
These requirements
are not A. C. C. requirements. They are the requirements of some of the
sites that we will visit. In order to avoid any problems we will apply
the rules to ALL field trips.
THERE IS NO DRESS CODE FOR THE CLASSROOM.
CRIMINOLOGY CALENDAR
This is the scheduled calendar. Any deviations will be provided by the professor during the semester. All students are to check in with the professor BEFORE12:30pm at the site of the field trip. Do not go to the site if you are late, go home, do not attempt to catch up with the tour. If you cannot make a field trip notify me before 11:00 a.m.
DATES
TOPIC
Jan 16 Class discussion of the course guide
and the primer.
Jan 23 Class discussion of Chapters 1 &
2
Jan 30 Class discussion of Chapters 5 - 10,
Theories of Crime.
Feb 6 FIELD TRIP to DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
OFFICE.
Feb 13 FIELD TRIP to GARDNER HOUSE.
Feb 20 FIELD TRIP to TURMAN HOUSE.
Feb 27 FIELD TRIP to AUSTIN POLICE DEPT.
Mar 6 FIELD TRIP to DEPT. OF PUBLIC
SAFETY.
Mar 13-19 SPRING BREAK
Mar 20 Classroom: Video - Constitutional Fair
Trial
Mar 27 FIELD TRIP to a COURTROOM.
Apr 3 FIELD TRIP to DEL VALLE
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
Apr 10 FIELD TRIP to DOWNTOWN COUNTY JAIL
Apr 17 FIELD TRIP to KYLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
Apr 24 [NOON - 1:30pm] SPEAKERS on Probation
and Parole.
May 1 [NOON - 1:30pm] SPEAKERS on Victims
of Crime
May 9 SUMMARY AND FINAL GRADES.
TUESDAY, APRIL 3 - Last day to turn in Book Report.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21 - Last day to withdraw from the course.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24 - Victims of Crime Background Papers must be turned
in.