CRIM 3302: ADVANCED CRIMINOLGY

With Dragana Derlic

This Fall 2020
On Mondays and Wednesdays
From 1:00PM-2:15PM
In SLC 2.303

Instructors Contact Information

Dragana Derlic, M.S., B.S.
Email: dragana.derlic@utdallas.edu
Office: GR 2.510

Office Hours: Due to Covid19 and the CDC Social Distancing rule, office hours will be held online.
Please let me know in advance (via e-mail) if you would like to meet and what days and times work best
for you so we can schedule a meeting. We got this!

Other Information: Please use your UTD email and include CRIM 3302 in the subject line.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to expose students to theory and empirical research regarding why deviance
and criminal behavior occurs. As such, an in-depth examination of each criminological theory, from the
earliest classical explanations to contemporary theories, will be reviewed and critiqued. Specific
attention will be paid to the propositions, assumptions, and empirical validity of these criminological
theories. Additionally, the reciprocal relationship between criminological theory and social policy will be
explored. Specific attention will focus on the implications that criminological theories have for policy
creation and implementation.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

CRIM 1307

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the basic concepts and principles of criminological theories.

2. Evaluate criminological theory.

3. Understand how criminological theories can be used to inform polices on crime prevention.

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
Required Textbook and Materials

Akers, Ronald L, Christine S. Sellers, & Wesley G. Jennings (2016) Criminological Theories:
Introduction, Evaluation & Application. 7th Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Assignments

The final grade for the course will be the accumulation of three exams and a short 5-7 page paper. Doing
the readings and regularly coming to class are essential to get an A.

Exams 300 Points

There will be three exams in this class. Each exam is worth 100 points and will be made up of 50
questions (10 True/False & 40 Multiple Choice). All exams will be taken online through Blackboard.
Once you begin an exam you will have 60 minutes to complete it. All exam material is covered in the
course readings and lectures and Exams are NOT cumulative. Each exam will cover the material taught
in the section preceding it. Exams are open book/notes but you are expected to work individually. It is
imperative that you read the material prior to taking the exam. Failure to do will likely result in you
running out of time or doing poorly on the exam. Exams will be available at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and
will be due by 3 p.m. on Fridays, giving you a window of about 3 days to take it. Keep in mind that once
you start the exam you must finish it.

Please keep in mind that the exam schedule is subject to change pending coverage of class material.

Final paper 100 Points

You will be required to write a 5-7 page paper on a criminological theory that is either discussed in class
or in your textbook. The paper should include a general discussion of the tenants of the theory and
review three scholarly journal articles that empirically (scientifically) test the theory of interest. The
paper should summarize each of the three articles and discuss whether the theory is supported or refuted
by the research. The final paper should be 12-point font, double-spaced with one-inch margins (top,
bottom, left, and right). In addition, you are expected to provide references and citations in APA
(American Psychological Association) format.

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
The three selected articles MUST be from peer-reviewed journals. Essentially, these are articles written
by experts or scholars in the field which have gone through a peer-review process. This process utilizes
blind review by other scholars in the field, the reviewers then will make recommendations to the journal
editor whether the article should be accepted, rejected, or is in need of revision(s). The writing style and
format is greatly different from popular periodicals. These articles typically: (1) deal with broad issues or
topics in the field; (2) focus on a specific research question; (3) are 12-15 pages in length; (4) have an
abstract; (5) have a data/methods/methodology section; (6) have a results/findings section; (7) have a
conclusion section; (8) have references. If you are unsure if your article qualifies as peer-reviewed or if
you have any further questions, please ask! Note: textbooks, magazines, and newspapers are NOT
acceptable!

Papers will be graded based on: (1) content including review and understanding of chosen theory; (2)
clarity and organization of the discussion and analysis for each of the three related empirical articles; (3)
discussion/conclusion with regard to the empirical studies of the theory – did the articles find support for
the theory? Do they dispute the theory? Is the evidence mixed/inconclusive? In other words, was support
found for some components but not all parts of the theory; (4) use of proper citations and references; (5)
grammar and spelling. Note: Late papers will NOT be accepted.

Extra Credit 10 Points

If you would like to gain extra points and learn a little more, you can write a 1-page summary on a
criminological theory of your choice. It is best if you write on the theory that we have review that week
so you can digest the information and regurgitate it back on a 1-page summary. You are allowed to
submit 1 summary a week, and a total of 10 summaries over the course of the semester. Each summary
will be worth 1 point, giving you the opportunity to earn an additional 10 points towards your final
grade. Please follow APA format, 12-point font, double-spaced with one-inch margins. P.S. These
summaries should help narrow your theory of choice for your final paper.

Grading Policy

There are a total of 400 points which may be earned throughout the course. Students are encouraged to
maintain a record of their grades.

Point Range Grade

360-400 A

359-320 B

319-280 C

279-240 D

239 - Below F

Make-up Policy

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
Make-up exams/quizzes will only be allowed with university-approved documentation and if the
professor is notified in advance. Examples of university excused absences include: religious/holy days,
death in the family, illness (with approved documentation and advanced notice when possible), military
service, etc.

Please note that going on a vacation is not a valid reason to make-up an exam or take an exam early. If
you know that you are going to miss an exam you need to let me know ASAP. Communication is key!

Late Work:

See the above policies for quizzes and exams

Classroom Citizenship:

In addition to the policies on student conduct and discipline, please note that I have the following
policies:

1. Please respect the CDC Social Distancing rule and keep your hands to yourself. We got this!
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
2. Cell phones must be turned off or at the very least be on silent. If you are expecting a call, please be
courteous and leave your phone on silent and then step politely out of the room to answer it.
Furthermore, I do not expect students to be texting during class. If I see this, you will be asked to
leave the class
3. Do not under any circumstances engage in academic dishonesty. I will refer all questions of
academic dishonesty directly to disciplinary proceedings.
4. Taking pictures of the lecture materials does not constitute taking notes and will not be permitted.
5. No recording devices are allowed in the classroom unless first approved by the instructor.
6. Sleeping during class will not be tolerated. If a student is found sleeping, you will be asked to leave
the classroom immediately and will be required to meet with the professor prior to re-entering the
classroom.
7. Students are expected to display tolerance for others’ views and statements given in class. If a
disagreement occurs, students are to act considerately. All comments and language should be
respectful and appropriate for a college community. Abusive language towards one another is
prohibited. If you feel you cannot act respectfully or appropriately, please exit the classroom and
return only when your emotions and language are under control.
8. Laptops (ipads, tablets, etc.,) are permitted. Please keep in mind that they are only to be used for note
taking. I will (once in a while) ask you to flip your laptop around. If used for anything other than note
taking, you will no longer be permitted to bring/use your laptop (ipads, tablets, etc.,) in class.

Comet Creed

This creed was voted on by the UT Dallas student body in 2014. It is a standard that Comets choose to
live by and encourage others to do the same:

“As a Comet, I pledge honesty, integrity, and service in all that I do.”

Please practice the CDC Social Distancing rule of 6-feet so we can all have a relaxing, enjoyable, and
educational semester together. Wear a mask! Wash your hands! Disinfect when you can :)

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

We got this!
Date Topic Reading

08/17/2020 Syllabus & Course Set-up -

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
08/19/2020 Introduction to Criminological Theory Chapter 1

Deterrence and Rational Choice Theories Chapter 2

08/24/2020

08/26/2020 Deterrence and Rational Choice Theories Chapter 2

08/31/2020 Biological and Biosocial Theories Chapter 3

09/02/2020 Biological and Biosocial Theories (cont.) Chapter 3

09/07/2020 Labor Day (NO CLASS) -

09/09/2020 Psychological Theories Chapter 4

09/14/2020 Developmental and Life-Course Theories (cont.) Chapter 14

09/16/2020 Exam 1 On-line: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 14 (NO CLASS) -

09/21/2020 Social Bonding and Control Theories Chapter 6

09/23/2020 Social Bonding and Control Theories (cont.) Chapter 6

09/28/2020 Social Disorganization Theory Chapter 8

09/30/2020 Social Disorganization Theory (cont.) Chapter 8

10/05/2020 Anomie & Strain Theories Chapter 9

10/07/2020 Anomie & Strain Theories (cont.) Chapter 9

10/12/2020 Social Learning Theory Chapter 5

10/14/2020 Exam 2 On-line: Chapters 5, 6, 8, and 9 (NO CLASS)

10/19/2020 Labeling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory Chapter 7

10/21/2020 Labeling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory (cont.) Chapter 7

Work on Paper Outline & Sources (NO CLASS) Office Hours Via
10/26/2020
Teams =)
10/28/2020 Paper Outline + Sources Due (NO CLASS)

11/02/2020 Conflict Theories Chapter 10

11/04/2020 Marxist Theories Chapter 11

11/09/2020 Feminist Theories Chapter 13

11/11/2020 Feminist Theories (cont.) Chapter 13

11/16/2020 Integrated Theories Chapter 15

Integrated Theories Chapter 15

11/18/2020
Deadline for Extra Credit
11/23/2020 Work on Paper (NO CLASS)

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.
 11/25/2020 Work on Paper (NO CLASS)

11/30/2020 Final Paper Due: Submit On-line (NO CLASS)

12/02/2020 Review Chapters 1-6, 8, 9, and 14

12/07/2020 Review Chapters 7, 10, 11, 13, and 15

12/09/2020 Exam 3 On-line: Chapters 7, 10, 11, 13, and 15 (NO CLASS)

12/13/2020 FINAL GRADES DUE

UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and Procedures: The information contained in the following link constitutes the
University’s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus. Please go to
http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies for these policies.

Thank you for respecting the CDC Social Distancing Rule and keeping yourself and everyone
else safe! You are appreciated.

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
All changes will be related to students in a timely manner.