CRIM4311 Crime and Justice Policy Course Syllabus

Professor Contact: Paul Donnelly email: pdd071000@utdallas.edu

Office Location- Green Hall: 2.513
Phone: 817. 915.91645, (Please use
only in emergency)
Office Hours -Appointment Only

Starts: August24, 2010 Tuesday: 4:00pm-6:45pm

Ends: December 15, 2010

Class Location FN 2.102 (Founders North)

Course Description
CRIM 4311 - Crime and Justice Policy (3 semester hours) Provides in-depth analysis
of crime and the efforts to control crime through public policy. Although crime is most
often committed by private persons against individual victims, crime is a public problem
and society's reaction to crime and criminals is one of the most controversial areas of
public policy. Crime control, deterrence and incapacitation, gun control, law
enforcement, and court processes are just a few of the areas in which public opinion and
policy are in current controversy and debate. This course introduces students to crime
and justice policy within and beyond the criminal justice system. Special attention is
given to “what works” and to current issues/events in crime-related policy and
prevention.
Prerequisites: CRIM 3302 or CRIM 3303. (Same as SOC 3361) (3-0) R

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

1. Students will be able to identify various examples of crime and justice policy,
within and beyond the criminal justice system.
2. Students will be able to identify crime control successes.
3. Students will be able to identify crime control failures.
4. Students will be able to identify crime control policies that have yet to be

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 sufficiently researched
5. Student will increase their ability to write in a scholarly manner.
6. Students will be asked to confront issues of ideology and the role it plays in individual
and corporate life.

Required Textbooks and Materials

1. J.L. Worrall, Crime Control in America: What Works?, 2nd ed. (Boston, MA:
Allyn and Bacon, 2008).
Other readings may be assigned throughout the semester.
Suggested Course Materials
S. Walker, Sense and Nonsense about Crime and Drugs. 6th Edition (Thompson
Wadsworth, 2006

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Dates and assignments subject to change. Any deviations will be posted and discussed in class.

8/24 Pass our course materials, Q & A. Introductory lecture-Read Chapters 1 and 2
8/31 Quiz -Chapters. 1 & 2 plus previous class discussion Read Chapters 3 and 4

9/7 Quiz, Chapters 3 &4/class discussion. Read Chapters 5&6

9/14 Quiz, Class Video/discussion-Read Chapter 7- Written assignment #1Video Reaction
9/21 Quiz, Submit Writing Assignment #1-Read Chapter 8, 9
9/28 Quiz, Discussion of Group Project Presentation Skills

10/5 Quiz on Presentation Skill-Submit Presentation Proposals, (Writing Assignment #2)-

Class Video and discussion
10/12 Writing Assignment #3, Video Reaction Paper, Read Chapters 10,11
10/19 Quiz, Read Chapters 12, 13
10/26 Quiz-Guest Speaker, Sgt. Bishop, Dallas PD. “Asset Forfeiture Issues” Writing
Assignment #3, Reaction Paper
11/2 Note: The remainder of the semester schedule will be determined by the pace of the class
and the number of presentations to be scheduled, to include two quizzes and two reaction
papers.

11/9
11/16
11/23
11/30 Final Exam Posted/Distributed, Take Home, Open Book

12/7 Submit Final Exam, Last Class Meeting

Note: Dates, assignments and/or schedules subject to change. Substantive changes will be
discussed in class and posted on E Learning.

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Grading Policy
There will be a total of 1,000 points available by the end of the semester. These points are
distributed as follows:
Quizzes-10 Quizzes offered at 45 points per quiz,
(lowest two scores dropped at the end of the semester) 360 pts
Written Assignments- Five assignments @ 50 pts each 250 pts.
Group Presentation-Due the last weeks of class 150 pts
Class Participation- 90 pts.
Final-(Take Home, Open Book) 150 pts

Total points 1000

Course & Instructor Policies

You are expected to attend each class and to participate in classroom discussion. Your
grade is dependent on the content of your contribution.

Quizzes on the weeks reading and lecture will be given at the beginning of each class
period unless otherwise directed.

As you will be allowed to drop your two (2) lowest quiz scores there will be no makeup
quizzes offered.

Class attendance is mandatory. If you have an unavoidable situation requiring you

to miss class, please inform me via email or via text to my cell phone as soon as you
realize you will not be coming to class.

Extra credit/special assignments may be assigned at the Instructors discretion.

Do not wait until the end of the semester if you have any questions or concerns. I
am happy to meet with you and would prefer to deal with issues as they arise.

Writing in a scholarly manner is heavily emphasized throughout the course, thus you will
be required to submit various types of written work. Avoid contractions, use refereed
source material and strive to improve with each submission.

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

Guest lecturers and off campus activities may be offered dependent on the needs of the class and
the ability to enhance the course through external sources.

Each student will be assigned a group to work with on a presentation to the class during the
last few weeks of the semester. In addition to the content of the presentation, students will
be evaluated on their presentation skills, preparation and ability to effectively communicate
factual information to their colleagues.

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Policies and Procedures for Students
The University of Texas at Dallas provides a number of policies and procedures designed to provide
students with a safe and supportive learning environment. Brief summaries of the policies and procedures
are provided for you at http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/index.php/syllabus-policies-and-procedures-text
and include information about technical support, field trip policies, off-campus activities, student conduct
and discipline, academic integrity, copyright infringement, email use, withdrawal from class, student
grievance procedures, incomplete grades, access to Disability Services, and religious holy days. You may
also seek further information at these websites:
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm
http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm
http://www.utdallas.edu/disability/documentation/index.html

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor

Do your best, I will do mine 

.

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