CJ 499 – BACHELORS CAPSTONE

Greetings all! Welcome to CJ 499 Bachelors Capstone in Criminal Justice!! My name is Cheryl Horwath and I will be your professor for this course. Please be sure to read through the syllabus and desk page thoroughly. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. I routinely answer my email in less than 24 hours. You may also reach me on AIM at cherylahorwath. (very original, I know!) Does anyone have any questions or comments before we get started?

This course is designed as a culminating experience of the baccalaureate program in CJ. This course is organized differently than other courses you have taken at Kaplan University. It is designed to give you deeper understanding of the material you have covered in your Bachelor’s Degree program. During this course, you will complete a series of project that allow you to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained throughout your studies. You are finally at the end of the long road to your degree… Congratulations!

In Units 2 – 4 and 6 – 9, you will complete and submit a Capstone Assessment project. I urge you to keep a calendar with the assignments and deadlines to ensure that you remain aware of what is due each week. Three of your assignments will be short papers. Each will be 3 pages in length and will address the following: Criminological Theory – Unit 2 Hypothesis and Conclusion – Unit 4 Emerging Technologies – ( Unit 8)

Scenario Projects – During the term you will complete two projects that involve a hypothetical scenario. You arte to assume a role within this scenario where you will analyze the scenario and complete the task assigned to you. The projects will address the following: Criminal Law – Unit 3 Investigative Plan – Unit 7

You will also be responsible for two Power Point Projects addressing the following topics: Leadership – Unit 6 Transnational Crime – Unit 9

Discussion In each unit, you have the opportunity to utilize the Discussion Board to communicate with your fellow students and professor about that week’s Capstone Project. It’s a wonderful place to share your thoughts and ideas. Please don’t miss the opportunity of using them regularly.

Discussion Boards are graded each week, so it is important to participate. Please look through the grading rubric for discussion boards in your syllabus. You want to be sure to get the most points possible each week!

Seminars There are three (3) seminars scheduled for this term. They are as follows: Thursday, November 11 – 1 pm Eastern Time Friday, December 3 – 6 pm Eastern Time Monday, January 10 – 9 pm Eastern Time Attendance at seminars is not mandatory, but it is a great way to have a “live” discussion with fellow students and your professor.

Although there are only three seminars, they are well worth your while to attend. The seminar format is somewhat informal and we will be discussion many topics related to the criminal justice field and your assignments. I hope you’ll join us!

Capstone Assessment Student Checklist. Please make use of the Capstone Assessment student Checklist. It is a wonderful aid in ensuring that you have met all the expectations of each assignment. There is a link to the checklist in each unit an assignment is due. Utilizing the checklist can help ensure that you end your term on a high note!

During Unit 1, make sure you take the time to “introduce yourself” to the rest of the class! There is also a discussion board where you can discuss your upcoming assignments and brainstorm with each other. Have a question? Unit one discussion board is a great place to ask and get answers!

In Unit 2, there is a short three page paper on Criminological Theory due. You will be asked to summarize and provide an example of how biological, sociological and psychological theories of crime causation affect human behavior and actions. There is also a discussion board where you can exchange ideas and thoughts. Don’t forget, the discussion board is a gradeable item! There is also a great video in this unit on suburban middle class gang violence. Be sure to watch it!

Theories on Crime Differential Association (Sutherland) – rewards/punishments. Deviance occurs when a person gets more prestige and less punishment by violating the norms. Can become deviant by associating with deviants Social Controls (Reckless) outer controls – family, social institutions, authority inner controls – internalized socialization, religious principles, self conception as a good person. Control theory suggests that deviants often have low levels of self control as a result of inadequate socialization.

Labeling Theory - Powerful determine what is deviant Becker used the term to stress the relativity of deviance. The same act may be deviant in one group, but not another To become a deviant actor, you have to believe the deviant label Lemert - primary deviance – most acts provoke very little reaction and have little effect on your self concept. secondary deviance – making more of a big deal of act when norm is repeatedly broken. Now an indication of a permanent personality trait. Deviant identity. tertiary deviance – a group formally labeled deviant attempts to redefine their acts, attributes as normal or virtuous.

Strain Theory (Merton) – argued that while some deviance benefits society, some deviance also puts an enormous strain on social life. Said excessive deviance is a by product of inequality. Conflict between accepted norms and social reality is the strain theory. Conformists – accept means and values whether achieve goal or not Innovators – accept values – reject the means Ritualists – accept means – reject the values. Will work hard, but have no aspiration to be rich Rebels – reject both means and values – substitute new ones Retreatists – reject both…replace them with nothing. No aspirations, no alternative goals Broken Windows Theory minor acts of deviance can spiral into severe crime and social decay (Zimbardo)

Opportunity Theory (Cloward and Ohlin) - crime arises from opportunity Opportunity Theory (Cloward and Ohlin) - crime arises from opportunity. Those who have opportunity will be more likely to commit crimes than those with few good opportunities. emphasis on learning - deviant subculture based on opportunity to deviate criminal subcultures – stable neighborhoods where people know each other, criminal subcultures develop devoted to burglary and theft. Rely on older men to learn about criminality violence subculture- unstable areas – few opportunities to learn about burglary/theft. Develop violence to establish dominance Conflict Theory - larger structural analysis of inequalities based on race, class or gender Quinney argued that dominant class produces deviance by making and enforcing laws that protect its own interest and oppresses subordinate class.

The major premise of the biochemical trait theory is that crime is a function of diet, vitamin intake, hormonal imbalance, or food allergies Can be genetically predetermined or acquired through diet and environment Received national attention in 1979 – Dan White – Twinkie Defense. He killed San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Councilman Harvey Milk. Claimed addiction to sugary junk food caused his behavior. Found guilty of manslaughter. Biocriminologists say that a healthy diet can provide minimal levels of minerals/chemicals needed for normal brain functioning/growth. Improper diet can lead to learning deficits associated with antisocial behavior.

Genetic theory - The major premise of the theory is that criminal traits and predispositions are inherited, and therefore, the criminality of parents can predict the delinquency of children The strengths are that the theory explains why only a small percentage of youth in high-crime areas become chronic offenders Evolutionary - The major premise of the theory is that as the human race evolved, traits and characteristics have become ingrained, and some of these traits make people aggressive and predisposed to commit crime

Major Contributions of Biological Trait Theories Brain chemistry and hormonal differences are related to aggression and violence There is no relationship between sugar intake and crime The male hormone testosterone is linked to criminality Neurological impairments have been linked to crime Violence-producing traits are passed from one generation to the next

Critiques of Biological Theories Some scholars suggest these theories are racist and dysfunctional Biological explanations cannot account for the geographic, social, and temporal patterns in the crime rate Lack of adequate empirical testing

Psychological Theories Psychodynamic - The development of the unconscious personality early in childhood influences behavior for the rest of a person’s life. Criminals have weak egos and damaged personalities. Explains the onset of crime and why crime and drug abuse cut across class lines

Behavioral - People commit crime when they model their behavior after others they see being rewarded for the same acts Behavior is reinforced by rewards and extinguished by punishment Explains the role of significant others in the crime process Shows how media can influence crime and violence

Unit 3 brings us to Criminal Law Unit 3 brings us to Criminal Law. In this unit, you will demonstrate the ability to apply principles of criminal law to criminal justice practice and understand the civil liabilities of criminal justice agencies and practitioners There is a scenario project that is due this unit. Make sure you read through it thoroughly and don’t forget to use the checklist to make sure you meet all requirements of the assignment. In addition to the discussion board, you will find a great video in the “take a break” tab on criminal law reform.

Our second seminar will be held during week 4. It is scheduled for: Friday, December 3rd at 6 pm Eastern time. Make sure to mark it in your calendars! I will be sending out reminders the week before.

Open forum I’ve gone over the highlights of your Capstone Course. I’m sure you will find the subject matter and assignments interesting. Does anyone have any questions or concerns? Feel free to voice them….I’m happy to help and dedicated to making sure you have the best, most successful term possible!

It has been a pleasure “meeting” everyone during our first seminar It has been a pleasure “meeting” everyone during our first seminar. I look forward to working with you the rest of the term. Remember, if you ever have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email or on AIM (at cherylahorwath). I will get back to you via email within 24 hours, but in the majority of cases, it is much sooner. Have a wonderful week and I’ll see you on the boards!