Main Content
Syllabus
CRIMJ 012: Criminology (3 credits): Explanations and measurement of crime; criminal law; characteristics of criminals and victims; violent, property, white-collar, organized, and sexual crimes.
Overview
What will be covered in this course?
This course is about explanations for why some people engage in criminal and/or delinquent behaviors while others do not. This course is not about what "ought to be," rather, it is about the realities associated with crime in everyday life. There is a rich body of scholarly work that seeks to explain the relationship between crime/delinquency and a host of structural (societal) and individual factors. This course examines that literature and engages the student in an understanding of it. It also draws from those concepts found in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology, public policy, and political science.
How will this course be delivered?
This course is cohort-based, which means that there is an established start and end date, and that you will interact with other students throughout the course. The course will incorporate suitable technological and pedagogical applications in order to advance student online learning experience.
It does so by employing several teaching and learning techniques:
- the typical lecture enhanced with PowerPoint slides, video streams, handouts, etc.;
- instructor-facilitated interactive discussions among class members;
- readiness assessment tests (quizzes to ensure students are doing their reading);
- problem-based learning exercises;
- writing assignments; and,
- online examinations.
Course Objectives
Students should be able to think critically about criminological theory, the supporting empirical literature, and public policy in criminal justice. That is to say, students should be able to recognize the far-reaching implications of what these theories have to say about crime causation in society and to be able to distinguish between the different underlying assumptions associated with each of them. Students should be able to demonstrate a solid working knowledge of: (1) the name of the theory; (2) the author of the theory; (3) the time frame in which the theory was developed; (4) the theory’s major premise (e.g. the statement about crime causation that the theory is making); (5) the theory’s major propositions; (6) how the theory has withstood empirical testing; and, (7) how the theory has been, or could be, applied in the criminal justice policy arena.
Another objective of this course is to enhance the student’s writing ability and the ability to articulate orally major arguments associated with efforts to synthesize assigned reading materials. Students should, in all writing assignments, demonstrate a command of good essay writing skills and exhibit a grasp of the overall mechanics of writing (e.g. complete sentences that are grammatically correct). When in a course chat room or using the discussion forum, students should make sure that any contribution to conversation is on point and that comments demonstrate that the student has come to the conversation well prepared (e.g. has read the assigned readings and has an understanding of them).
By the end of this course, students should be able to :
- Demonstrate a functional understanding of the nature and importance of criminological theory.
- Define and recognize the use of common terms associated with various theories of crime and delinquency.
- Demonstrate the ability to function as a contributing member of the course.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Course Schedule
Course Schedule
Note that assignments are due based on the eastern time zone (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.
Lesson 1 - An Introduction to Theory and Crime
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Lesson 2 - Classical Criminology
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Lesson 3 - The Connection Between Biology and Crime
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Lesson 4 - Psychological Explanations for Crime
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Exam I
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Lesson 5 - Can Lower Socio-Economic Status and Inequality Cause Crime?
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Lesson 6 - Anomie, Strain, and Crime
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Lesson 7 - Social Disorganization and Crime
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Lesson 8 - Learning Theories
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Exam II
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Lesson 9 - Social Control Theories
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Lesson 10 - Labeling Theory
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Lesson 11 - Conflict and Critical Theory
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Lesson 12 - Assessing Criminology Theories
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Exam III
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Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Assignments
- Thought-Provoking Exercises
These exercises will be at the beginning of each lesson to encourage students to explore concepts, ideas, and issues and to engage them in discussions about them.
- Reading Assessment Tests (RATs)
These are short quizzes that will be given weekly to measure the extent to which students are completing the reading assignments. These quizzes could also be used by the student to assist him/her in preparing for the three examinations that will be given in this course. The RATs will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. You will be allowed only 10 minutes for each Reading Assessment Test (quiz on the assigned reading for that week) and will be given only one attempt at completing them.
- Wrap-Up Activities
There are weekly wrap-up activity exercises associated with this course. The purpose of these exercises is to encourage students to think about a crime/delinquency problem in a way that allows for critical thinking, integration of course material, and/or robust discussion among class peers related to how that problem might best be handled, from a criminological theory perspective.
- Exams
There will be three exams throughout the semester which will include various types of questions (e.g. multiple-choice, matching, true/false, etc.). You will have 45 minutes to complete the exams, and will be given only one attempt at completing them. The total possible points for each exam will be 100. All exams will be non-cumulative, focusing exclusively on the topics covered in the previous class sessions. Make-up exams will be given only with prior notification in emergency/medical situations and will be of a completely different format and they may be considerably more difficult than regular exams.
You are on the honor system when it comes to taking the quizzes and the three exams (e.g., no collusion with other students and all should be closed books/closed notes). I encourage you to prepare for these by always completing the reading assignments, actually studying that reading for some period of time, before taking the RAT (reading assessment test). The same is true for the exams. On the course calendar, I have posted three reminders for the dates of the exams and also there are reminders within the lesson content. For the three exams, all course materials are fodder for questions (course content, reading assignments, any films associated with the lessons covered, PowerPoint slide, websites to which you were directed, etc.). Again, the key is to study all of these materials before signing in and attempting to take the exams.
Extra credit is not available in this course.
Finally, incomplete grades are not automatic; rather a grade of incomplete will be granted at the instructor’s discretion, with sufficient documentation by the student of hardship necessitating extra time to complete course requirements. Completion of an incomplete grade shall follow Penn State’s timetable outlined in each year’s Academic Calendar.
Course Grading Scheme
The World Campus follows the same grading system as the Penn State resident program. The grades of A, B, C, D, and F indicate the following qualities of academic performance:
A = (Excellent) Indicates exceptional achievement
B = (Good) Indicates extensive achievement
C = (Satisfactory) Indicates acceptable achievement
D = (Poor) Indicates only minimal achievement
F = (Failure) Indicates inadequate achievement necessitating a repetition of the course in order to secure credit
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Grading Items
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Points
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| Thought-Provoking Exercises | 8 @10 points each |
80
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| Lesson Quizzes | 12 @10 points each |
120
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| Wrap-Up Activities | 7 @ 20 points each |
140
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| Exams | 3 @ 100 points each |
300
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640
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Grading Scale
| Grade | Percentage |
| A | 94% to 100% |
| A- | 90% to 93.9% |
| B+ | 87% to 89.9% |
| B | 84% to 86.9% |
| B- | 80% to 83.9% |
| C+ | 77% to 79.9% |
| C | 70% to 76.9% |
| D | 60% to 69.9% |
| F | 0% to 59.9% |
Grading
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
Late Policy
All assignments/exams are due by 11:59PM (EST) on the Sunday of each week. Late assignments are not accepted without prior approval from the instructor. Failure to turn in a paper/participate in a discussion forum/complete an exam, etc. by the required due date will result in a deduction on the final score, up to and including failure of the assignment. Make-up assignments are given at the sole discretion of the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.