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Theories of Crime and Delinquency Doctorate Degree in Criminal Justice CJ 700 Breyer State University Instructor: Charles "Chuck" Fields, Ph.D. SYLLABUS COURSE OVERVIEW: Theories of Crime and Delinquency, a doctoral-level course in the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice Degree curriculum is designed to provide you with advanced understanding of why people engage in deviance and criminality and how society responds. Few would contest the assertion that we have a crime problem in this country but who agrees on exactly what the "problem" is or how to solve it? Traditionally, there have been a number of completing explanations and approaches to the study of crime and delinquency; some scientific in nature, others less so. Given the complexity of most human behaviors (especially criminality), it is not surprising that so many theories have emerged attempting to explain "why people behave the way they do". In this course, we will examine several competing theories relating to crime, delinquency and associated behaviors, as well as exploring crime measurement, theory construction and verification. This course will build on material you discussed in earlier graduate-level criminology or criminal behavior courses you have taken previously. If you feel that you do not have an adequate background for this course, I would suggest obtaining a basic graduate criminology textbook and refreshing yourself in this area. It is essential that you successfully complete this course before attempting the more advanced courses in the curriculum. This is a doctoral-level course and, as such, is much more rigorous and the requirements more strident than most other courses you have taken. TIME FRAME: This is a six (6) semester hour course. The course and all exams and/or assignments must be completed within ten weeks. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course or the day that you advise me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame as extensions are very rare without special circumstances. Upon successful completion of this course you will be awarded six (6) semester hours of credit. You may accelerate and finish the course prior to the ten-week mark, but not in less than five weeks. There is no mandate to accelerate; it is simply an option if you are able to devote extra time to this course. TEXTBOOKS: There are three (3) required textbooks for this course: Book 1: Criminological Theories: Bridging the Past to the Future. Cole, Suzette. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 2002: ISBN # 0761925031. Book 2: Criminological Theory: Past to Present (Essential Readings). Cullen, Francis, et al. Los Angele, CA: Rosbury Press. 2003: ISBN # 9780000000000. Book 3: Criminological Perspectives: Essential Readings. McLaughlin, Eugene, et al. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 2003: ISBN # 0761941444.
Additionally, there is some material you may be asked to obtain via the internet (download and print; no charge to you) as needs dictate. Please obtain the textbooks as soon as possible. These texts may be found at your local bookstore and if they are not in stock, they can be easily ordered by the bookstore, or you may find them at one of the many on-line (e.g., Amazon.com) sources. Additionally, students access the online Virtual Bookstore via a link through the Breyer State web site; or this portal site, http://www.mbsdirect.net; or they can call 800-325-3252 toll-free to place an order. ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments are in the assignment section of the classroom. EXAMINATION/FINAL PAPER: There is a midterm (completed by the fifth week) and a final examination (completed during week 9). Each will consist of several (18-20) short essay questions that demonstrate your understanding of the assigned readings from the text and internet sources (if assigned). Additionally, a twelve-twenty (12-20) page final paper will be written in which you will choose a particular crime, and you will critique and evaluate a contemporary theory that attempts to explain it. Further details will be provided by the midterm exam. Upon your request, I will e-mail the examinations to you and once you complete each (within one week from the time I send it to you), return it as an e-mail attachment back to me (address below). The paper is due by the tenth week of class (send to me also via e-mail attachment). Both the midterm, final examinations, and the final paper will be graded within one week of my receiving them. GRADING: Final grades for this course will be computed as follows: 90-100% - A Midterm Exam 25% COMMUNICATION: Do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I prefer communicating through email and can usually respond within 24 hours or less, but I am also available for conversation by phone in "emergencies". You will receive more detailed information if such chat sessions are scheduled. When contacting me, always include your name and the course title in your email message to me, as I may not always recognize your email name. ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: In addition to teaching in the program at Breyer State University, Charles Fields is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University where his teaching interests include penology, drug policy, and comparative and international criminal justice. He has a B.A. (Political Science, 1980) & M.A. (Political Science, 1981) from Appalachian State University and a Ph.D. (Criminal Justice Theory, 1984) from Sam Houston State University. His previous teaching posts include Saginaw Valley State University (MI), Appalachian State University (NC), California State University, San Bernardino (Department Chair of Criminal Justice), and Eastern Kentucky University (Department Chair of Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies). He has also been a visiting lecturer at the University of Lapland and the Police College of Finland. Professor Fields is the author or co-author of four edited books, over thirty articles, book chapters and reviews, and numerous technical reports and monographs. Current research interests include international drug policy, comparative criminal justice systems, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the instructor at chuck.fields@eku.edu.
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