CRJU 5500:The Ecology of Crime

Spring 2001 Semester Course Syllabus

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)

CRJU 5500. The Ecology of Crime (3-0-3). This course utilizes the ecological theories of crime to evaluate the factors influencing opportunities for crime, the geographical distribution of crime, and the opportunities for crime. Emphasis is placed on the distribution of crime in rural and urban areas.

This course utilizes ecological theory to integrate micro-level factors that influence an individual’s propensity for crime and macro-level factors that influence the development of individuals in society over time. Emphasis is placed on environmental criminology and spatial geography, including the differences in the distribution of crime in rural and urban areas and the differences in rural and urban criminal justice responses. The student will

1. Understand the elements associated with the physical environment that can affect how people develop physically and emotionally.
2. Comprehend the effects of pollution, crowding, geography/topography, and recreational opportunities on the behavior of people.
3. Analyze the development of hostility, fear, and behavioral pattern changes caused by physical surroundings such as hot, crowded subways; grid-locked freeways; and dark, lonely parking lots.
4. Understand the macro- and micro-level theoretical foundations of the ecology of crime including opportunity theory, exposure to deviant models, and biological changes in people caused by the environment.
5. Comprehend the impact of the spatial distribution of crime on the criminal justice system.
6. Develop and/or improve oral skills through class presentations and group discussion.
7. Develop and improve writing skills by frequent writing assignments.
8. Develop critical thinking skills by the analysis of contemporary criminal justice issues.

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.  Experience has shown that students who do well in the course come to class, bring the book, pay careful attention to the instructor, take notes, and study diligently before the exams.

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 be reported by me as a violation of the student honor code.

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.  Based on my experiences teaching this class, I can assure you that failure to complete the reading assignments prior to class will make it very difficult for you to understand the material covered in class.  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.  Experience has shown that students who do well usually bring the book to class, pay careful attention to the instructor, take notes in class, and study diligently before the exams.  All presentations in which you participate are graded.

Special Projects: I will be attending three conferences during this semester, so we will lose four classes during my absences.  I plan to give you two projects to complete during the three hours that you will miss during each of those two weeks.  I will provide you with the instructions for the projects prior to my departure.  When I return, I will collect the projects and grade them.  The two grades (one for each of the two weeks of no classes) will be averaged, and that average will constitute 15 percent of your final grade.

Examinations: There are a total of two examinations for the course. All answers to the written portions of the examinations should be in standard written English, using complete sentences, correct spelling, and proper paragraphing. In addition, all writing must be legible. You are not allowed to use any textbooks, class notes, or other materials in taking the examinations. The value of each examination is listed in the grading system section of this syllabus.

Oral Presentations: You will be assigned to present an assigned homework case studies.  The exact details of how to present the case studies will be provided later in the semester.

Course Paper: You will write a  twelve to fifteen page paper on a topic of your choice dealing with crime prevention. You will submit your topic for approval to me by January 16, 2001. I will approve, modify, or reject the topic as appropriate. Once your topic is approved, begin working on it. The paper is to be prepared in accordance with the requirements contained in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th edition. The paper will contain all proper citations and a reference list. The reference list is in addition to the twelve to fifteen pages of text. The reference list is to contain at least twenty references, a minimum of fifteen of which must be from academic journals. The final student papers are to be submitted no later than the beginning of class on April 24, 2001.

The paper is to be submitted in stages. The schedule for submissions is indicated in the chart below.  While I grade one submission, continue to work on the next submission.  When you turn in a subsequent submission, make sure you have updated the prior submission.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Last day to drop without academic penalty: March 2, 2001.

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.

GRADING SYSTEM

[Dr. Bouley's Web Page]  [Course Schedule]