3 Credits

Science II, Room 208, Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 – 1:45 PM

K. James Ryan, Ph.D.
Phone: 559-278-2379
Office Hours: Science II, Room 137; Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM
Email: kjryan@csufresno.edu
Website: http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~kjryan/Ryan.htm

Course Description

"Introduces students to types of crime and violence in America within a sociological, cultural, economic, and political context. Emphasis on methodological approaches to crime measurement. Looks at how crime and violence impacts individuals and their environment. " 

[From California State University, Fresno General Catalog: 2007-2008, p. 440]*
 

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.  Counts as G.E. Integration ID unless Criminology major.
 

Required Course Texts

Marc Riedel & Wayne Welsh, Criminal Violence: Patterns, Causes, and Prevention, 2nd Ed. (New York, Oxford University Press, 2008)
 

Advisory

Students must be aware that Crim 101: Violence in America discusses issues in crime and criminality in frank and occasionally vivid terms, including issues such as violent crimes and capital punishment among other matters the student may find personally objectionable. Students must be aware these issues will surface in context with course material.
 

Introduction

For a so-called "civilized" nation, the United States has a broad and deep history of violence within its borders.  One might argue that the US was built on violence and even to this day violence - including violence against innocents - is glorified in American culture.  Before one can address how violence in America can be stopped, several presumptions must be made; presumptions that are somewhat disturbing in and of themselves: first, we must presume that America wants to stop violence; and second, we must presume that if we have the will, we have the means to conquer violence.  Neither of these are certain in America today.

Crim 101: Violence in America will examine the variety of causes of violence against it own, including all forms of homicide including all forms of assault.  It will also examine how society and government play a part in dealing with violence, both as a cause and as a cure.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student will be able to:

1. Relate the methods by which violence is measured
2. Relate the history of violence in America
3. Relate theories of violence prevalent in contemporary academic research
4. Relate theories, explanations and patterns of murder in the US
5. Relate the theories, explanations and patterns of robberies and other physical assaults in the US
6. Relate the theories, explanations and patterns of rape and other sexual assaults in the US
7. Explain the patterns and trends of hate crimes
8. Explain the theories and responses to domestic violence
9. Explain the theories and responses to school and workplace violence
10. Relate common views on terrorism and gangs

Course Requirements:

Student evaluation will be based on the ability to understand and relate course material. Course grading will be based on attendance and participation, 10 small writing assignments and a final examination Students are cordially encouraged to remember that grades are earned, not given, and that the grading process herein is not relative, but absolute; i.e., students are not competing against each other for grades, but against a standard (see below).

A: 90–100
B: 80–89
C: 70–79
D: 60–69
F < 59.9
 

I. Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to attend class on time and only enrolled students may attend, as class size is limited. A portion of the course grade will come from class participation, based on preparedness and willingness to contribute to class discussion. Students are provided with a list of readings for each class. It is expected that assigned readings will be completed by the dates listed. The class involves Socratic interaction with supplemental multi-media presentations and occasional handout material will be provided; therefore, attendance represented by passive recording device is prohibited.
 

II. Writing Assignments

There will be one writing assignment of four parts due as a prerequisite of taking the final examination.  Because violence in America is a pervasive phenomenon and Fresno is no exception, the student is expected to submit 4 writing assignments, each of 500 words (2 pages), regarding a violent crime reported in the Fresno area.  The student will align the events with material presented in class and in the textbook, including theory, location, and conformation to expected violent activities (or anomalies).  Each writing assignment will be for 25 points and total 30% of the final grade.

The papers collectively will be no less than 2000 words, cited in MLA format, 1” margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial font.  Drafts may be submitted at any point during the semester until the last day of class.

III. Examinations

The short papers (collectively), midterm and final examination are each worth 100 points but are weighted differently for the final course grade; the papers being 30% of the final grade; the midterm being 30% of the final grade; the final examination being 40% of the final grade.  ALL material for the final exam comes from class lectures. The course includes only one writing assignment (i.e., the 4 short papers), due as a prerequisite of taking the final examination.  No late papers can be accepted (via university policy).

IV. Important Dates and Weights

TO BE PROVIDED SEPERATELY

V. Electronic Devices Prohibited
The use of electronic devices in class is prohibited, to include cellular telephones, PDAs, computers, and/or any electronic video or audio recording device, without the expressed permission of the instructor.  Devices excepted are those which serve the impaired to enhance (but not to record) classroom presentation. Violators will be dismissed from class and subject to disciplinary policies of the university.

VI. Missed Events

Classes cannot be made-up; however, students are responsible for material they may have missed by their absence.  Because a paper is a prerequisite to taking the final, if it is submitted late the exam must be taken by arrangement with the instructor.  In the event a test cannot be taken prior to the date on which grades must be submitted, an Incomplete grade will be issued if the required papers are submitted on time.  Otherwise, if the papers are not submitted and the final test is not completed, the student will have a zero registered as the grade for the writing assignment.  At semester’s end, no excuses will be entertained for missing the final or submitting the required papers on time.

VII. Addenda

Students with Disabilities*

Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in Madden Library 1049 (278-2811).

Honor Code*

Members of the CSU Fresno academic community adhere to principles of academic integrity and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities." You should:

understand or seek clarification about expectations for academic integrity in this course (including no cheating, plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration)

neither give nor receive unauthorized aid on examinations or other course work that is used by the instructor as the basis of grading.

take responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the instructor or other appropriate official for action.

Cheating and Plagiarism*

Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another student to do so. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. However, it is the intent of this definition that the term 'cheating' not be limited to examination situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating which consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material (i.e., their intellectual property) so used as one's own work." Penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an F for the course, to expulsion from the university. For more information on the University's policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Class Schedule (Legal Notices on Cheating and Plagiarism) or the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations).

Computers*

At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to remote resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience. Every student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. The minimum and recommended standards for the workstations and software, which may vary by academic major, are updated periodically and are available from Information Technology Services (http://www.csufresno.edu/ITS/) or the University Bookstore. In the curriculum and class assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the necessary communication links to the University's information resources.

Disruptive Classroom Behavior*

The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and growth. It is essential to this learning environment that respect for the rights of others seeking to learn, respect for the professionalism of the instructor, and the general goals of academic freedom are maintained. ... Differences of viewpoint or concerns should be expressed in terms which are supportive of the learning process, creating an environment in which students and faculty may learn to reason with clarity and compassion, to share of themselves without losing their identities, and to develop and understanding of the community in which they live . . . Student conduct which disrupts the learning process shall not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class.

Copyright Policy*

Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the material. The copy in this course has been provided for private study, scholarship, or research.  Other uses may require permission from the copyright holder.  The user of this work is responsible for adhering to copyright law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code). To help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page, www.lib.csufresno.edu/extra/copyright/.

Digital Campus course web sites contain material protected by copyrights held by the instructor, other individuals or institutions. Such material is used for educational purposes in accord with copyright law and/or with permission given by the owners of the original material.  You may download one copy of the materials on any single computer for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes only, provided that you (1) do not modify it, (2) use it only for the duration of this course, and (3) include both this notice and any copyright notice originally included with the material.   Beyond this use, no material from the course web site may be copied, reproduced, re-published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way without the permission of the original copyright holder.  The instructor assumes no responsibility for individuals who improperly use copyrighted material placed on the web site.

*Quoted with permission from university policy.
**The schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

*Quoted with permission from university policy.

**The schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.