Sociology 288                             Instructor: Jim Thomas
DuSable 206D                              Office: 807 Zulauf
Summer, 2002                              Phone: 753-6436 (Office)
Tues / Thurs, 12:30-3:15                  756-3839 (Home)
homepage:  http://venus.soci.niu.edu/~jthomas
e-mail:  jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu

                           COURSE  SYLLABUS

This class will introduce basic concepts of crime, law and social control.  
We will focus especially on the relationship of crime and criminality to 
the broader social order.  The course will adopt a critical perspective 
toward conventional conceptions of and solutions to social offenses.  
The course is based on a CRITICAL perspective, which means that we 
challenge conventional definitions  of,  and social responses to, crime.

The course includes a substantial internet and email componenet. Students 
are expected to have basic skills by the first week of class.

Required Readings

   Beirne and Messerschmidt   CRIMINOLOGY (2nd Edition)
   Current Events      (Newspapers, tv, etc)
   Class Handouts and Internet exercises

Course Requirements

    Pop quizzes  (5 highest will be counted) (50 points)
    One Term paper (10 pages)  150 points
    Two tests (100 points each)
    Class participation (50 points)
    WebBoard Participation (50 points)
         TOTAL: 500 points
Grading

   Grading wil be done an a straight scale:
       A = 90%
       B = 80%
       C = 70%
       D = 60%

You are responsible for knowing what occurs in class,  even if you ar-
en't there.  Sometimes it is necessary to change dates or assignments.
If you miss a day, find out what happened.

NOTE:  PAPERS DUE NO LATER THAN THE START OF CLASS PERIOD:  THURSDAY
AUGUST 1.  NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME FOR ANY REASON!  
PAPERS NOT ACCEPTED RECEIVE A ZERO.  

 ASSIGNMENT schedule

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