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Welcome to Criminology! (Soc/AdmJ 012)

Dr. Eric Silver

T/Th 4:15-5:30pm

111 Wartik

Course Objectives

• How do criminologists study crime?

• What are some basic facts about crime?

• What are the major theories of crime?

• Prepare students for advanced courses in criminology and sociology

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Course Layout

• Part 1: Foundations for Criminology

• Part II: Micro-Level Theories of Crime

• Part III: Macro-Level Theories of Crime

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Nuts and Bolts• Required Texts:

– Crime & Criminality by Hunter & Dantzker (2001)– Code of the Streets by Elijah Anderson (1999).

• Class Participation:– Current events– Class discussion– Information related to class topics

• Attendance will be taken daily:– Deduct 1% for every absence over 3– Contact your TA about excuses– Don’t be late!!

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Course Web Site• www. personal.psu.edu/faculty/e/x/exs44/012/

– Instructor & TA contact information– Updated syllabus information– Lecture overheads– Course policies and assignments– About instructor

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More Nuts and Bolts

• Three exams (no cumulative final)– 50-100 multiple choice & true/false questions– Lecture & reading– No make-ups

• Writing assignments– 2-3 page essays related to reading

• Office visits – By appointment (email works best)

Grading• Exams = 90%

• Writing assignments = 10%

• Attendance: deduct 1% point for each > 3

• Class participation – fudge room

• Extra credit points - TBA

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Getting to Know You