CRIME CAUSATION (CRMJ 4151 – 3 CREDITS)

Spring 2019
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:00am-9:50am
Bio Sciences Building 309
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Katelyn A. Golladay
OFFICE: Arts & Sciences Building 305
OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Or by appointment
EMAIL: kgollada@uwyo.edu

GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Michael Klepperich

OFFICE: Arts & Sciences Building 313E
OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 1:30pm-3:00pm
Tuesday: 9:30am-11:00am
EMAIL: mklepper@uwyo.edu

Required Texts:

Bernard, T. J., Snipes, J. B., and Gerould, A. L. (2010). VOLD’s Theoretical Criminology
(6th Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Cullen, F. T., Agnew, R., and Wilcox, P. (2014). Criminological Theory: Past to Present
(5th Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Additional materials provided on WyoCourses

Course Description:

Examines the causal mechanisms that produce crime. Theoretical perspectives and
empirical research from various disciplines will be evaluated, with particular emphasis
placed on social factors that may cause crime. Policy implications of the different
perspectives will be discussed.

Course Prerequisite:

CRMJ 1001, CRMJ 2210, and CRMJ/SOC 2400

Learning Goals:

The objectives of this course are:

1. To gain knowledge of main theoretical perspectives in criminology.
2. To critically and objectively examine current research, topics, and policy related
to various theories.
 3. To synthesize knowledge on theories through class discussion and written
assignments.
4. To develop critical thinking and analytic skills through class discussion and
written assignments.

Course Organization: The course learning goals will be achieved by readings, lectures, class
discussions, exams, and written assignments.

A. Readings: Unless otherwise specified, reading assignments are taken from the
required resources specified above. The reading assignments listed for each class are
those readings, which a student must complete before the class in order to be prepared
for class that week. Not all the readings will be discussed in class; however, all
assigned readings may be covered on exams or other assignments.

B. Lectures: Some of the topic areas will be covered within lecture. Topics covered
within lecture may be covered on exams or other assignments.

C. Class Discussions: This is an upper-division, seminar style class, in-depth discussion

over the assigned readings will compromise a majority of class periods. Because
discussion is essential to this course, it is crucial that you read assigned materials
prior to class time. In addition, it is important that you comprehend and integrate the
assigned readings so that you can participate in class discussion.

D. Exam Questions Assignments: Prior to each exam, students are expected to submit
three exam questions, one from each category: multiple choice, short answer, and
essay. You should also include the answers to your questions. These will be graded
based on the quality of the questions. The best question questions from each category
will be selected to be placed on the exam. These will be due by the beginning of class
on February 25th, April 8th, and May 5th. Please see handout for more detailed
instructions.

E. Current Event Assignments: One of the learning goals of this course is to be able to
apply the information that you have learned in class to the real world. You will hand
in two written assignments that outline a current event and apply some concept from
the course to that current event. A brief presentation to the class on ONE of your
current events assignments is required. Current event assignments may be submitted
any time during the semester. Please see handout for more detailed instructions.

F. Exams: There will be a total of three (3) exams over the course of the semester.
Exams will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.

Make-up exams will be given only under the following conditions:

1. Participation in organized school activities
2. Death in the immediate family.
 3. Illness (with doctor’s written excuse).
4. Special circumstances that are approved to be appropriate by the instructor.

Make-up exams will only be given to those students who have discussed their
absence with the instructor and have a legitimate excuse. Legitimate excuses do not
include sleeping in, leaving early for breaks, work schedules, or other such excuses.
Make-up exams will need to be scheduled with the instructor.
University excuse: In order to be excused from an exam, a valid University excuse or
doctor’s excuse must be obtained. University excuses can be obtained from the Office
of Student Life. The Office of Student Life (OSL) will provide the excuse, provided
the students’ absence meet the criteria for an authorized absence. For further
information on obtaining an excused absence, contact the OSL or visit their website
at: http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/OSL/absences.htm. Doctor’s excuses must be
obtained from your attending physician. Be advised that student health does not
provide excused absences. These excuses must be for the exam date and must state
that you were unable to attend the class period that day. Doctor’s appointments do not
constitute an excused absence. Excuses need to be presented to the instructor by the
class period following the excused absence to be accepted.
Student Responsibility and Conduct:

The University and I expect all students to conduct themselves professionally. Toward
that end, I expect everyone to abide by the following rules of etiquette:
- Please be “on time” to class. Tardiness is disruptive to the lecture or other class
activities.
- I expect that as students, you will come to class prepared, having read the material
required for that day. This will help enable us to have a lively discussion in class and
allow you to ask pertinent questions regarding the material.
- Chatting during lecture, class discussion, or other class activities is distracting and
inappropriate.
- Please raise your hand to speak in class unless I specifically instruct the class that
students may speak-out as part of a debate or other classroom activity. Keep in mind
that it is not appropriate for anyone to dominate classroom discussion routinely. Nor
is it appropriate to interrupt either the professor or a fellow classmate with some point
you want to make, no matter how eagerly you want to make the point.
- Although you are welcome to disagree with the professor or your classmates,
everyone is expected to participate respectfully. Students who engage in personal
attacks; who use rude, insulting, or disrespectful language; or who engage in other
disruptive or threatening behavior may face disciplinary action.
- Non-passing grades are your responsibility, not the professor’s. I am more than
willing to assist you in any way if you are struggling in the class. However, this
means coming to see me early, not the last several weeks of the course.
 - Please do not start putting books away, closing up notebooks, and zipping up book-
bags before the end of class. This can be disruptive and distracting to both the
instructor and your classmates.

Electronics:
Students may use computers during class to take notes. If at any time the computer
becomes distracting or a student is using their computer for reasons other than taking
notes, they will be asked to put their computer away and will not be permitted to use their
computer for the remainder of the semester. Please refrain from using cell phones or any
other electronic devices during class time. Pictures, voice recordings, or digital
recordings during lectures is strictly prohibited.
Grading:

Points will be divided between assignments as follows:

Class Participation 25pts 25pts total

Exams (3) 100pts each 300pts total
Exam Question Assignments (3) 10pts each 30pts total
Current Event Assignments (2) 25pts each 50pts total
Current Event Presentation (1) 10pts each 10pts total
Final Paper (1) 100pts each 100pts total

TOTAL: 515pts

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

Any form of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Anyone found to participate in
these activities will receive an F for the assignment and quite possibly the course.
Academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to the University guidelines (UniReg
2-114). In addition, grade appeals will be handled according to these same guidelines.
These guidelines can be found in the university regulations:
http://www.uwyo.edu/as/student-appeals/academic-dishonesty.html

Other Important Policies:

A. Drop/Withdrawal Policies: For information on dropping/withdrawing from a class,
see this page on UW’s website:
https://www.uwyo.edu/registrar/students/registration_information.html

B. Extra Credit: There is no planned extra credit for this course. Opportunities for extra
credit may arise during the semester but this is not guaranteed. Students should not
rely on extra credit to improve their grade.

C. Copyright: All class materials are designed by the instructor and all class lectures are
the intellectual property of the instructor and are protected by the federal copyright
 law. Any unauthorized copying – including video-recording, audio-recording, and
stenographic transcriptions of the class lectures – is strictly prohibited. All rights are
reserved by the instructor. Written permission must be secured from the instructor in
order to sell the instructor’s oral communication in the form of notes. Notes must
have the note-taker’s name as well as the instructor’s name, the course number, and
the date.

Classroom Statement on Diversity:

The University of Wyoming values an educational environment that is diverse, equitable,

and inclusive. The diversity that students and faculty bring to class, including age,
country of origin, culture, disability, economic class, ethnicity, gender identity,
immigration status, linguistic, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation,
veteran status, worldview, and other social and cultural diversity is valued, respected, and
considered a resource for learning.

Duty to Report:

UW faculty are committed to supporting students and upholding the University’s non-
discrimination policy. Under Title IX, discrimination based upon sex and gender is
prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex- or gender-based discrimination, we
encourage you to report it. While you may talk to a faculty member, understand that as a
"Responsible Employee" of the University, the faculty member MUST report information
you share about the incident to the university’s Title IX Coordinator (you may choose
whether you or anyone involved is identified by name). If you would like to speak with
someone who may be able to afford you privacy or confidentiality, there are people who
can meet with you. Faculty can help direct you or you may find info about UW policy
and resources at http://www.uwyo.edu/reportit
You do not have to go through the experience alone. Assistance and resources are
available, and you are not required to make a formal complaint or participate in an
investigation to access them.

Disability Support:

It is University of Wyoming policy to accommodate students, faculty, staff, and visitors

will disabilities. If you have a physical, learning, sensory, or psychological disability and
require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. You will need to
register with University Disability Support Services (UDSS) in the Student Educational
Opportunity offices, Room 128 Knight Hall, and provide UDSS with documentations of
your disability. Additional information on UDSS can be found at the following address:
http://www.uwyo.edu/udss/
WyoCourses:

As a resource for this class, a WyoCourse site is available to you. This site provides the
opportunity to have all of the course materials in one place that is accessible to everyone.
Assignments and announcement will be posted to this site. As part of the requirements
for this class, you are expected to check and use this site regularly. Make sure to check
your UW email as the address that will be utilized for any posted announcements.

Student Resources:

CAMPUS RESOURCES
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: udss@uwyo.edu, 766-3073, 128 Knight Hall,
www.uwyo.edu/udss
COUNSELING CENTER: uccstaff@uwyo.edu, 766-2187, 766-8989 (After hours), 341 Knight
Hall, www.uwyo.edu/ucc
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: 766-4286, 312 Old Main, www.uwyo.edu/acadaffairs
DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE: dos@uwyo.edu, 766-3296, 128 Knight Hall,
www.uwyo.edu/dos
UW POLICE DEPARTMENT: uwpd@uwyo.edu, 766-5179, 1426 E Flint St,
www.uwyo.edu/uwpd
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT WEBSITE: www.uwyo.edu/dos/conduct

Disclaimer:

The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change at the discretion of the
instructor. I will make every effort to avoid changing the course schedule, but the
possibility exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus changes necessary. I therefore
reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus. In order to stay current with
announcements regarding the schedule, you will need to attend and be on time for class
 Course Schedule:
Chapters = Vold’s Theoretical Criminology
Readings = Criminological Theory: Past to Present
** PDF available on WyoCourses

Week #1 – Introduction & Theory and Crime

Monday, January 28
- Class Introduction

Wednesday, January 30
- **Tittle (1995) Chapter 2 “Features of an Adequate Theory”
- **Akers & Sellers (2013) Chapter 1 “Introduction to Criminological Theory”

Friday, February 1
- Chapter 1 (pp. 1-13) “Theory and Crime”

Week #2 – Classical Criminology

Monday, February 4
- Chapter 2 (pp. 14-36) “Classical Criminology”

Wednesday, February 6
- Reading 33 (pp. 431-436) “
- Reading 34 (437-442) “

Friday, February 8
- Continuation of Classical Criminology discussion

Week #3 – Biological Factors, Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Monday, February 11
- Chapter 3 (pp. 37-64) “Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior”

Wednesday, February 13
- Chapter 4 (pp. 65-92) “Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior”

Friday, February 15
- Reading 3 (pp. 47-58) “Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency”
- Reading 5 (pp. 76-85) “Biology and Crime”
- Reading 6 (pp. 86-94) “Personality and Crime: Are some People Crime
Prone?”
Week #4 – Crime and Poverty

Monday, February 18
- Chapter 5 (pp. 93-114) “Crime and Poverty)

Wednesday, February 20
- **Hipp & Yates (2011)
- **Aaltonen et al. (2013)

Friday, February 22
- Continuation of Crime and Poverty discussion
- PAPER TOPICS DUE

Week #5 – Neighborhoods and Crime

Monday, February 25
- Chapter 7 (pp. 133-153) “Neighborhoods and Crime”
- Reading Part III Introduction (pp. 97-106) “The Chicago School: The City,
Social Disorganization and Crime”
- EXAM QUESTIONS DUE

Wednesday, February 27
- Reading 7 (pp. 107-113) “Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas”
- Reading 8 (pp. 114-120) “A Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality”
- Reading 9 (pp. 121-126) “Collective Efficacy and Crime”

Friday, March 1
- EXAM I

Week #6 – Durkheim, Anomie, Modernization, and Strain Theories

Monday, March 4
- Chapter 6 (pp. 115-132) “Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization”

Wednesday, March 6
- Chapter 8 (pp. 154-176) “Strain Theories”

Friday, March 8
- Reading 13 (pp. 177-185) “Social Structure and Anomie”
- Reading 15 (pp. 191-201) “Crime and the American Dream”
- Reading 16 (pp. 202-211) “Pressured into Crime: General Strain Theory”

Week #7 – Learning Theories

Monday, March 11
- Chapter 9 (pp. 177-202) “Learning Theories”
 Wednesday, March 13
- Reading Part IV Introduction (pp. 127-135) “Learning to Be a Criminal:
Differential Association, Subcultural, and Social Learning Theories”
- Reading 10 (pp. 136-139) “A Theory of Differential Association”
- Reading 11 (pp. 140-153) “A Social Learning Theory of Crime”
- Reading 12 (pp. 154-165) “The Code of the Streets”

Friday, March 15
- Continuation of Learning Theories discussion
- PAPER OUTLINE DUE

Week #8 – Spring Break (March 18-22)

Week #9 – Control Theories

Monday, March 25
- Chapter 10 (pp. 203-225) “Control Theories”

Wednesday, March 27
- Reading Part VI Introduction (pp. 212-220) “Varieties of Control Theory”
- Reading 17 (pp. 221-228) “Techniques of Neutralization”
- Reading 18 (pp. 229-237) “Social Bond Theory”
- Reading 19 (pp. 238-250) “A General Theory of Crime”

Friday, March 29
- Continuation of Control Theories discussion

Week #10 – Meaning of Crime

Monday, April 1
- Chapter 11 (pp. 226-245) “The Meaning of Crime”

Wednesday, April 3
- Reading Part VII Introduction (pp. 253-262) “Labeling, Interaction, and
Crime: Societal Reaction and the Creation of Criminals”
- Reading 20 (pp. 263-) “Primary and Secondary Deviance”
- Reading 21 (p. 267-275) “Crime, Shame, and Reintegration”
- Reading 22 (pp. 277-283) “Defiance Theory”

Friday, April 5
- Continuation of Meaning of Crime discussion

Week #11 – Conflict Criminology

Monday, April 8
 - Chapter 12 (pp. 246-266) “Conflict Criminology”
- EXAM QUESTIONS DUE

Wednesday, April 10
- **Anderson (2010)
- **Buckler, Unnever, & Cullen (2008)

Friday, April 12
- EXAM II

Week #12 – Marxism and Postmodern Criminology

Monday, April 15
- Chapter 13 (pp. 267-286) “Marxist and Postmodern Criminology”

Wednesday, April 17
- Reading Part VIII Introduction (pp. 284-294) “Critical Criminology: Power,
Peace, and Crime”
- Reading 23 (pp. 295-302) “Criminality and Economic Conditions”
- Reading 24 (pp. 303-315) “Crime in a Market Society”
- Reading 25 (pp. 316-324) “Crime and Coercion”

Friday, April 19
- Continuation of Marxism and Postmodern Criminology discussion
- PAPER DUE

Week #13 – Gender and Crime

Monday, April 22
- Chapter 14 (pp. 287-304) “Gender and Crime”

Wednesday, April 24
- Reading Part IX Introduction (pp. 325-338) “Feminist Theories: Gender,
Power, and Crime”
- Reading 26 (pp. 339-346) “Sisters in Crime”
- Reading 27 (pp. 347-353) “A Feminist Theory of Female Delinquency”
- Reading 29 (pp. 366-374) “Toward a Gendered Theory of Female Offending”

Friday, April 26
- Continuation of Gender and Crime discussion

Week #14 – Developmental Criminology

Monday, April 29
- Chapter 15 (pp. 305-326) “Developmental Theories”
 Wednesday, May 1
- Reading Part XIII Introduction (p. 511-524) “Developmental Theories: Crime
and the Life Course”
- Reading 40 (pp. 525-544) “Pathways in the Life Course to Crime”

Friday, May 3
- Reading 41 (pp. 545-551) “A Theory of Persistent Offending and Desistance
from Crime”
- Reading 42 (pp. 552-557) “Cognitive Transformation and Desistance from
Crime”

Week #15 – Integrated Theories and Policy Implications

Monday, May 6
- Chapter 16 (pp. 327-345) “Integrated Theories”
- **Akers & Sellers (2013) Chapter 14 (pp. 275-301) “Integrating
Criminological Theories”
- EXAM QUESTIONS DUE

Wednesday, May 8
- Reading 45 (pp. 596-607) “Toward an Interactional Theory of Delinquency”

Friday, May 10
- Course wrap-up

FINAL EXAM:
FRIDAY, MAY 17 (8:00-10:00AM)