For Prof. Eliud Peterson only

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of violent crime. Specifically, we will be

examining the meaning of criminal violence, different types of criminal violence, trends and patterns of criminal violence, the causes of criminal violence, and intervention and preventive efforts to combat violent crime. REQUIRED READING MATERIAL

Riedel, M. & Welsh, W. (2015). Criminal Violence: Patterns, Explanations, and Interventions. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Fourth Edition.

ISBN: 0199386137

[Additional readings will be provided on blackboard (Bb) under “Course Library.”]

You are responsible for completing all of the assigned readings BEFORE the class period for which they

are assigned. If a topic is to be covered during multiple class periods, the assigned readings should be completed before the FIRST class period for which the reading was assigned. Material that is not covered in class, but is covered in the assigned readings, will appear on the exams. CLASS ATTENDANCE

Although I do not take attendance, attending class is mandatory in order to do well in the course. There

will be some material covered in class that is not covered in the readings. Class time will be devoted to both class discussion and lecture. Class participation and thoughtful questions are encouraged. Many of the topics discussed in this class may be entirely new to you. Coming to class gives you a chance to hear the material presented in a different way and to take notes in your own words. Those who carefully read the assigned readings, are engaged in class discussion, ask thoughtful questions, and take thorough notes are most likely to understand the material and do well on the exams. If you miss class, do not email me to ask for my notes. You are welcome to get the notes from a classmate.

NOTE: Modified versions of the power points will be available on blackboard. These are intended to serve as an aid to help students a) follow along in class and b) focus on the most important material. Do not expect to do well in the course simply by studying the modified power points. They do not, in any way, serve as adequate substitutes for coming to class and reading the texts.

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EXAMS

You will have 3 non-cumulative exams in this class. They will consist of multiple choice/true or false

questions (30) as well as short-answer questions (10). Each exam will contain 40 questions and is worth 50 points (short answer questions are worth 2 points each). More details about the format of the tests will be provided as the examination dates approach. Exam dates are provided in the course calendar in this syllabus. An informal review for exams may be held at the end of the class period the day before the exam. These reviews will be the most helpful to you if you come prepared with questions about the material. TERM PAPER

You will be required to write a paper (double-spaced, 12 pt font, minimum of 6 pages of text, not

including title page, references, or attachments) that explores a current event (covered by some media outlet) that constitutes one of the violent crimes that is discussed in class (and are discussed in the book). This paper will

be worth 50 points and will be due the last day of class: July 6 th

. In order to get the maximize points possible, your paper should be well-organized and free of spelling or grammatical errors. Your paper should also have a title page that is consistent with APA formatting. Furthermore, it must include a discussion of:

1) The details of the specific crime (victim, perp, context, circumstances, etc.) MAKE SURE TO STATE (AND DEFINE) THE TYPE OF VIOLENT CRIME IT IS (EVEN IF IT SEEMS OBVIOUS).

2) Explain the historical trends and patterns of that violent crime both internationally and nationally (you may consult textbooks and articles beyond what are given in this class if you provide it as a reference. Use APA citation style to do this).

3) Explain at least two theoretical explanations of that particular violent crime, which one you feel has more validity for the particular criminal act/current event you are examining, and why you feel that way (you may consult textbooks and articles beyond what are given in this class if you provide it as a reference. Use APA citation style to do this).

4) Explain at least one intervention effort and one prevention effort related to the violent crime you chose, and which one you feel would be more helpful in the case of your particular violent act/current event (you may consult textbooks and articles beyond what are given in this class if you provide it as a reference. Use APA citation style to do this).

5) Use at least 3 outside references (not the class textbook) to support the claims/arguments you make in the paper. These can be books, articles, etc. Consult APA style manual to format the references and in-text citations correctly.

Also, You must attach the media story from which the event was pulled (online, newspaper, etc.). THIS ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD YOUR PAGE COUNT.

If you have questions or concerns about the paper, please email me or come see me during office hours. DO NOT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON IT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS. IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE A GOOD GRADE IF YOU DO THIS.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

You will have 3 assignments in this class. These assignments will be collected randomly at the beginning

of 5 different class periods throughout the term. Each assignment consists of writing 1-2 pages on the content of each assigned reading. Assignments must be HAND-WRITTEN.

Separate readings that pertain to the same topic are delineated by semicolons (;) in the course

calendar. Each time assignments are collected, they will only be collected for one of the readings. Nevertheless, you should prepare write 1-2 pages for all readings, so that you are prepared to hand in assignments for readings on the first day they are assigned. If you hand in an assignment other than the one requested (i.e., pertaining to the incorrect reading), you will receive a 0.

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The purpose of these assignments is three-fold: 1) to ensure that you do not skip or fall behind in the

reading, as this will aide your understanding of the topics we will discuss in the course 2) to encourage you to attend class 3) to improve your writing skills and 4) to give students an opportunity to earn extra points for their efforts to do the reading outside of class. “Late” assignments will not be accepted (i.e. there are no make- up assignments). That is, if you did not attend class on a day that an assignment was collected, you will not receive any points for that assignment.

Although these assignments will be collected three times during the course of the term, your scores on all

three will count as extra credit. The assignments are worth 5 points each (15 points total). Please note that late extra credit assignments will not be accepted. All of the assignments will be returned to you after grading. GRADES

The total points possible for the term will be 215 points, but you will only be held accountable for 200 of

them: 3 exams (50 points each) and one paper (50 points).

Final grades will be computed by dividing your point total by 200 to produce an average. The

following thresholds will be used to determine grades: A 90% or higher (180 pts or more) B 80% or higher (160 pts or more) C 70% or higher (140 pts or more) D 60% or higher (120 pts or more) F Below 60% (below 120 pts)

NOTE ON FINAL GRADES: Aside from the opportunities already built in to the class to receive extra points, there will be no additional extra credit opportunities or assignments. Furthermore, in light of the extra-credit opportunities I already provide, your final grades will not be curved or adjusted in any way. There will be no exceptions.

OTHER POLICIES & RULES

1. Each exam must be taken at its scheduled time 2. Be respectful to your classmates and to me 3. Do not sleep during class 4. Do not read outside materials 5. Turn off cell phones 6. Arrive on time to class 7. Do not wear headphones 8. Tape recording lectures is not permitted, unless otherwise specified by Disability Services

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Counseling Services: Counseling Services provides confidential, professional services by staff psychologists, social

workers, counselors and psychiatrists to help meet the personal and developmental needs of currently enrolled

students. Services include individual brief therapy for personal and educational concerns, couples/relationship

counseling, and group therapy on topics such as college adaptation, relationship concerns, sexual orientation,

depression and anxiety. Counseling Services also screens for possible learning disabilities and has limited

psychiatric services. Visit Counseling Services at http://utsa.edu/counsel/ or call (210) 458-4140 (Main Campus)

or (210) 458-2930 (Downtown Campus).

Student Code of Conduct and Scholastic Dishonesty: The Student Code of Conduct is Section B of the Appendices

in the Student Information Bulletin. Scholastic Dishonesty is listed in the Student Code of Conduct (Sec. B of the

Appendices) under Sec. 203 http://catalog.utsa.edu/informationbulletin/appendices/studentcodeofconduct/

Students with Disabilities: The University of Texas at San Antonio in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides “reasonable accommodations” to students

with disabilities. Any student with a disability who is requesting an accommodation for this course must provide

the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter from Student Disability Services. Only those

students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored.

Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations

can be found at www.utsa.edu/disability or by calling Student Disability Services at (210) 458-4157 (Main) or

(210) 458-2945 (Downtown).

Transitory/Minor Medical Issues: In situations where a student experiences a transitory/minor medical condition

(e.g. broken limb, acute illness, minor surgery) that impacts their ability to attend classes, access classes or

perform tasks within the classroom over a limited period of time, the student should refer to the class

attendance policy in their syllabus.

Supplemental Instruction: Supplemental Instruction offers student-led study groups using collaborative learning

for historically difficult classes. Supported courses and schedules can be found on the TRC website. You can call the

SI office if you have questions or for more information at (210) 458-7251.

Tutoring Services: Tomás Rivera Center (TRC) may assist in building study skills and tutoring in course content. The

TRC has several locations at the Main Campus and is also located at the Downtown Campus. For more

information, visit the Tutoring Services web page or call (210) 458-4694 on the Main Campus and (210) 458-2838

on the Downtown Campus.

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COURSE CALENDAR:

***Please note: The Textbook by Riedel and Welsh is denoted by the letters “RW”. “Bb” indicates that the

reading is available on the course website on blackboard. June 1:

Introduction to Violent Crime Readings: RW Chapter 1

June 3:

Measures of Violence; Violence in Other Times and Places Readings: RW Chapters 2 & 3

June 6:

Homicides and Assaults Readings: RW Chapter 4; Raine, Ch. 3 “The Anatomy of Violence” (Bb)

June 8:

Robbery; Rape & Sexual Assaults Readings: RW Chapters 5 and 6

June 10:

Rape & Sexual Assaults (Continued); Review for Exam Readings: Franklin et al., 2012 (Bb)

June 13:

Exam 1; Hate Crimes Readings: RW Chapter 7

June 15:

Hate Crimes (Continued); Intimate Partner Violence Readings: RW Chapter 8; Dixon & Graham-Kevan, 2011

June 17:

Workplace Violence; Bully Documentary Readings: RW Chapter 9; Schat & Kelloway, 2003

June 20:

School Violence; Review for Exam Readings: Chapter 10; Langman, 2013 (Bb)

June 22:

Exam 2; Gang Violence Readings: RW Chapter 11

June 24:

Gang Violence (Continued); The Role of Firearms in Violence Readings: RW Chapter 12

June 27:

The Role of Drugs & Alcohol in Violence; Terrorism Readings: RW Chapters 13 & 14

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June 29: Terrorism; Prevention & Punishment: A Delicate Balance

Readings: Tyler, 2012 (Bb); RW Chapter 15 July 1:

Prevention & Punishment: A Delicate Balance; Review for Exam Readings: Rocque et al., 2012

July 6:

Final Exam

*THE COURSE CALENDAR IS A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF ANY CHANGES.

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