Crime in America

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In this course the student will learn about the American crime problem in historical perspective, social and public policy factors affecting crime, crime trends, criminal characteristics, and crime prevention.

Course Learning Objectives

Obtain a basic understanding of the American crime problem and the social and public policy factors affecting crime, importance of crime trends and the impact of crime on society, racial and ethnic considerations and the progression of crime prevention from historical influences to present.

The student will learn about the following:
A. The American crime problem
B. Social and public policy factors affecting crime
C. Impact of crime and crime trends
D. Criminal characteristics
E. Crime prevention

 

Required Textbooks

TBD

Evaluation Standards

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

0-59   F

Course Progression

The student will perform tasks demonstrating their knowledge of the  following:

A. The American crime problem
1. F.B.I. Uniform Crime Report
2. Victimization Surveys
3. Self-report studies
4. Case studies

B. Social and public policy factors affecting crime
1. Laws
2. Court decisions
3. Folkways and mores

C. Impact of crime and crime trends
1. Impact on individuals
2. Impact on schools
3. Impact on institutions
4. Impact on economy

D. Criminal characteristics
1. Youth
2. Male vs. female
3. Racial and ethnic
4. Elderly

E. Crime Prevention
1. Citizen participation
2. Police
3. Civic organizations
4. Schools

Instructional Methods

Lectures, discussions, films, assignments, quizzes, case law research, guest lecturers

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).