CRJU 5950: Crime in the Movies

Spring, 2007

Instructor: Dr. Eugene E. Bouley, Jr.

Office: Room 2-13, Arts and Sciences Building

Office Telephone: (478) 445-0942

Home Telephone: (478) 452-9522 (Please, not after 9:00 PM)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

CRJU/POLS 5950.  Crime in the Movies (3-0-3). The study of criminological issues raised by films and movies dealing with  crime in America.

COURSE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Crime in the Movies is designed to supplement the core criminal justice curriculum at Georgia College & State University. Its purpose is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the criminological issues raised by movies dealing with American crime.  Emphasis is placed on the images, myths, and values raised by the films.

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to

1. Critically evaluate several movies dealing with organized crime, the police, prisons, and other topics.
2. Describe the fundamental social, economic, and political issues raised by crime movies.
3. Explain how a movie contributes to and reflects our ideas of crime and justice, and good and evil.
4. Identify the nature of America's attraction to crime movies.
5. Conduct an written research paper evaluating a specific movie concerning a criminological issue.
6. Describe the specific aspects of society criticized by a particular movie.
7. Explain the manner in which a movie offers solace or resolution by showing a triumph over corruption and brutality.
8. Develop and/or improve analytical skills through frequent writing assignments.
9. Improve critical thinking skills by the analyzing the myths and images contained in crime movies.
10. Orally present evaluations of movies dealing with crime in America.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance: You are expected to attend course lectures on a regular basis. The only absences that will not count against you are those absences authorized beforehand by Georgia College & State University because you are participating in official University functions.  Film segments will only be shown during class, so if you are absent you will not be able to make up the work you missed in class and you will receive an F for that requirement.

Academic Honesty: You are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. You are urged to read the section on Student Academic Dishonesty in the Georgia College Undergraduate Catalog and/or the current Student Handbook. Incidents involving academic dishonesty will be processed in accordance with the Undergraduate Catalog and I may report the incident as a violation of the student honor code to the Student Judicial Board.

It should be noted that academic dishonesty does not only refer to cheating on examinations. One primary form of academic dishonesty is to submit a writing assignment that contains words and sentences directly from an author's work without giving the author credit. For example, in writing assignments students will sometimes lift sentences directly from an article or textbook rather than write the idea of the author in their own words.

Reading Assignments: You are expected to complete the reading assignments prior to the class session. Reading assignments will enhance your understanding of the lectures and prepare you to intelligently participate in class discussions.  Class time will not include the material that is contained in the book, but will be devoted to practical applications and exercises based on the reading assignments.  Therefore, if you wish to achieve a high grade, read the assignments before class.

Class Participation: Throughout the course, you will be required to participate in class discussions that add to your understanding of the course material.  Effective participation requires a showing that you have read and are familiar with the assigned material and questions.  Your participation and presentations in class will be graded.  The value of the grade for participation and presentations is listed in the grading system section of this syllabus.  At times you will be tasked to lead a subgroup of the class in discussions.

THE COURSE IN GENERAL

Projects: You will be required to complete several projects during the course.  Many of these will be completed on the myCATS discussion site, while others will be oral presentations.  You will complete some of the projects during class time, but some may be scheduled as homework assignments.  These projects will be graded and those grades will be averaged for an overall project grade.

Research Paper: You are required to write a 12 to 15 page paper on two movies of your choice.  You may select from any of the movies listed in the appendix of the required text (pp. 235 -240).  Only one person may write the paper on a particular movie.  You are to tell me your choices of movies before you leave class on the third class meeting.  I will approve the movies or require you to choose another.  You are to write the research paper using the American Psychological Association (APA) Manual of Style as your guideline.  The APA Manual of Style is available in the library and in the bookstore.  There are links to it on my personal web page.  There are also links to to my personal web page in the WebCT material for the course.  The paper is due no later than April 16, 2007.  Any research paper that is submitted late will receive a one letter grade reduction.

The above list is not to be considered all-inclusive.  The particular movies that you watch may have themes that go far beyond the above list.  So add those items as appropriate.  Do not cite movie reviews that deal with how well the actors played their role, or how well the movie entertains the patrons.  This is an academic exercise in understanding what is being stated by the movie concerning reality.  NOTE: Nowhere in the list of issues to be discussed is there a requirement for you to summarize the movie or give a running commentary on it.  If that is what you do in the paper, you will not receive a high grade!

Examinations: There are two examinations for the course, a mid-term examination and a final examination.  The final examination is comprehensive.  All answers to the written portions of the examination should be in standard written English, using complete sentences, correct spelling, and proper paragraphing. The value of each examination is listed in the grading system section of this syllabus.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Last day to drop without academic penalty: March 2, 2007.

Fire Evacuation Procedures: In the event of a fire alarm signal, you should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. First and second floor classes should exit to a ground level exit. Do not use the elevator under any circumstances. In Milledgeville, the third floor stairwells are areas where disabled people may communicate with rescue workers. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of this building.

Requests for Modifications: If you require instructional modifications due to a documented disability, you should make an appointment to meet with me as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodations.

Schedule

Since there is a lot of material for this summer course, it is impossible to provide you with an exact schedule by day.  Therefore, I have prepared a schedule by topic.  We will proceed through the topics sequentially, and move at the pace which is reasonable for the class.   The topics for the class are as follows:

For your planning purposes, I expect to cover the above topics during the periods indicated below.  These dates are given for you to plan the due dates of your assignments and your projects.

GRADING SYSTEM

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