COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or 1100 or consent of instructor. Organized crime in America as a product of legal, historical, cultural and economic forces.
TEXT:
No required text. You are to read selected articles placed on reserve in the Volpe Library.
TESTS: Two tests, a midterm and a final examination. Each test counts 40% of your final grade.
GRADING & ATTENDANCE: A curve will be established after each test if the scores warrant such. To be eligible for the curve, a student may not miss more than four (4) times during the entire term. Once the fifth cut is taken -- for any reason -- the final course grade will be based on original test scores. If you come late to class, it's your responsibility to see me immediately after class in order to record your presence. The following scale will apply to all tests and in computing your final course grade:
A = 92 - 100
B = 83 - 91
C = 73 - 82
D = 65 - 72
F = 0 - 64
NOTE: Test grades/final grades are never publically posted. To receive your course grade you may submit a stamped post card or envelope (self- addressed) to me on the day of the final exam or check Eagle Line.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: See the Director, Disability Services Office at UC- 112 during the first week of the semester for necessary arrangements or assistance.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: This is a lecture/discussion type of course. I'm impressed by students who participate and verbally express themselves in class. Don't just sit back and coast -- get involved when you have the opportunity.
REQUIRED ACTIVITIES: All students are required to complete one book report. (See page 3 for specific instructions.) This exercise will count for 20% of your final grade. DO NOT miss your date for the presentation unless you have an emergency or medical excuse that you can prove (beyond reasonable doubt) actually occurred. Otherwise, you will receive a '0' for the presentation part (1/2 of the grade) of the book report.
ARTICLE REPORT: "Volunteers" for article reports are asked to write (or type) an overview sufficiently long enough to accurately reflect the nature and major thrust of the article's content. Submit this on the day of your assigned discussion in class.
COURSE OUTLINE:
DATES TOPIC
1/14 Course Requirements and Format
* 1/16 - 1/28 The Distinction Between Criminal Organizations
and Organized Crime
(* 1/21, M.L. King Holiday)
1/30 - 2/18 The Conventional View of "Organized Crime" in
the U.S.: A Transplanted Ethnic Problem
2/20 Midterm Exam
2/22 The Critical View of Organized Crime:
A Broader Outlook
* 2/25 - 3/21 Organized Corporate Crime
(* 3/3 -3/7, Spring Break, 3/21 Good Friday)
3/24 - 4/02 Organized Crime in Government
4/04 - 4/11 Controlling Organized Crime
4/14 - 4/25 Class Book Reports Due
Final Exam
THE BOOK REPORT:
1. Select a book (paperback or hardbound) that interests you! Possible sources:
University Library Putnam County Library ( E. Broad St.) Book Stores (New & Used) there are several in Cookeville, check Yellow pages (under "Book Dealers - Retail") Hometown Libraries Internet 2. Type (double-space) and endnote or footnote where appropriate a report of about five (5) pages in length in which you analyze the book in terms of key concepts of the course, e.g., how does your book deal with such issues as the concept of crime organizations versus organized crime, conventional versus critical view of the problem, causes and/or solutions to organized crime that the book suggests (think as you read), etc. You may use your class notes and relate them to the book that you are reading. Support your analysis with a description of the action in the book. 3. Supply me with three key multiple choice questions AND answers that reflect major points of the book. Do this at the end of your written report. Give the questions at the beginning of your report so that students may be listening for the answers as you report. Do a good job since you and your classmates may see some of them again on the final. 4. USE THE FOLLOWING FORMAT FOR THE REPORT: PAGE ONE- Title of Book by author (first name, surname) - centered Your name, course number - lower right corner PAGE TWO -Outline of the Report The Report Itself (3 to 4+ additional pages) At the end of the report, skip a few lines and center-type the word Questions. Below this, list your three multiple choice questions (and answers for ME).
REQUIRED READINGS:
GROUP I (due 1/28) -- Criminal Organizations Versus Organized Crime
President's Commission, Task Force Report on Organized Crime, pp. 187-196.
Albanese, "Government Perceptions of Organized Crime," pp. 29-34.
Mannle, "Organized Crime," in Magill's Survey of Social Science, pp. 1-11.
GROUP II (due 2/18) --- The Conventional View of Organized Crime: Ethnic Stereotyping and Italians
Veronesi, Italian Americans and their Communities in Cleveland
"Early 1900s - The Italian as Criminal," pp.25-33
"1920s - The Italian as Anerchist, Quotas and Prejudice," pp. 34-41.
"WW II and Beyond - The Stereotype Continues," pp.45-51
GROUP III (due 2/22) ---- The Critical View of Organized Crime
Mokhiber, Corporate Crime and Violence
"Buffalo Creek," pp. 118-128.
"DC 10," pp. 163-170.
Horn, New York Times (July 16, 2005), "Counting Corporate Crooks," pp. 48-49.
GROUP IV (due 3/23) --- Organized Corporate Crime
Brown and Chiang, "Defining Corporate Crime," pp. 29-51.
Wright, Cullen and Blankenship, "Chained Factory Fire Exits," pp. 291-303.
Swasy, "Protecting the Company's Public Image at All Costs When Criminally Negligent," pp. 278-289.
Leaf, Fortune (March 18, 2002), "Enough is Enough," pp. 35-42
GROUP V (due 4/04) --- Organized Crime in Government
Boisjoly, Curtis and Mellican, "The Challenger Disaster," pp. 207-230.
Albanese, "Obstruction of Justice," pp. 46-54.