Caldwell College      Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

Cj 387                             Organized Crime

Dr. Reynolds           Fall ‘2008

 

Office Location: Building #4, Room 148

Office Hours:     Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:45 a.m.-8:15 a.m.;

                        Tuesdays, 10-12; Thursdays, 11-12

Office Telephone: 973.663.3360

Email: mreynolds@caldwell.edu

 

If I am not in my office, please leave a message on my voice mail and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  I am not on campus on Fridays.

 

Required Text:

Abadinsky, Howard. 2007.  Organized Crime. 8th ed. California:

  Thomson Higher Education.

 

Course Description:

This course traces the evolution of organized crime in America, beginning with its roots in 19th century immigration and ending with its foothold in contemporary America.  Focus is on prohibition, political corruption, vice, rackets, and drug trafficking.  The course emphasizes the multi-ethnic and multi-racial organized crime groups found in America and in the world today.

 

Course Objectives:

v     To improve the reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills of students by completing written assignments that requires students to interpret and analyze organized crime activities, issues, events, concepts, and theories.

 

v     To provide students with an understanding of the concept of organized crime: its historical development, nature, and extent.

 

v     To dispel myths surrounding organized crime and organized criminals, including the myth that organized crime is comprised exclusively of Italian-American groups.

 

v     To introduce students to theories that attempt to explain why individuals engage in organized crime.

 

v     To introduce students to the businesses (activities) of organized crime.

 

v     To introduce students to the criminal justice response to organized crime, including prevention, investigation, prosecution, and sentencing.

 

Course Requirements:

A.    Exams: There will be three exams spaced evenly throughout the course of the semester.  Exams will be based on text readings, class lectures, and class discussions.  Students are responsible for all information in their text chapters, even if we do not go over the material in class.  Exams will be a combination of objective questions (fill-ins, completions, multiple choice, true/false), short answer questions, and essay questions.  Time permitting, we will review for exams.

 

THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR MISSED EXAMS!  (Unless there was a death in the student's immediate family, the student is an athlete with a game scheduled, or the student is ill and has a note from their family doctor).  In any of the aforementioned scenarios the student must alert the professor of their situation at least one day prior to the exam.  Do not just fail to show up for an exam because you will get a zero for the exam and will not be able to make it up.  There are no make-ups for the final exam.  All exams are of equal weight in determining the student's final grade. 

 

The final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2008, at 9 a.m.!

 

We will cover all fifteen text chapters.  However, given the limited number of weeks in a semester it will be impossible to cover all of these chapters in-depth.  Therefore, some chapters will be discussed in-depth, and others will only receive brief mention.

 

Classroom Policies: It is expected that students will attend all classes, will read text material PRIOR to coming to class, will take copious notes, and will participate in class discussions.  Class attendance and class participation WILL be considered in determining the student's final grade.  It is also expected that students will arrive for class on time, and will be respectful of other students and me.  Please be sure to shut off all cell phones and pagers before entering the classroom.  The classroom is an environment for learning, and any student that interferes with the learning process will be asked to leave.  Childish behavior is not tolerated in my classes!  This includes socializing during class, passing notes, acting bored or sending any other message that this class is the last place you want to be.

 

Students with Documented Disabilities:

Any student who has a documented disability and is in need of academic accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services (973-618-3645) and notify the professor of this course.  Students are required to provide written documentation of their disability in order to be eligible for accommodations.  Accommodations are individualized and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992.

 

If a student with a documented disability wishes to take their tests in the Academic Support Center, then they must let me know this before each exam that we take.

 

Academic Integrity: Students are reminded of the college's academic integrity policy, which is explained in the college catalog.  All violations, penalties, and procedures regarding academic integrity are contained in the Caldwell College undergraduate catalog.  Students are especially forewarned about handing in any written work that is not their own!

 

ALL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME TO MY OFFICE DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER FOR HELP WITH COURSE CONTENT, STUDYING FOR EXAMS, NOTETAKING, WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS, OR JUST TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES!  DO NOT FEEL SHY ABOUT COMING TO SEE ME!  I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU SO THAT YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CLASS AND OTHERS, AND I CAN ONLY DO THAT IF WE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER!  IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OF ANY KIND PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

 

Note: The syllabus is subject to revision at the discretion of the instructor.  Students will be notified of all changes.

 

            

 

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