WHITE COLLAR CRIME
Justice Studies/Sociology 333
Fall, 2011
Professor:
Gary Reed
Justice Studies Program
Social Science Division
Lewis-Clark State College
Spalding Hall, Room #211
500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501-2698
Phone: (208) 792-2794
E-mail: gereed@lcsc.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 4:20pm-5:20pm, and by appointment
Class Meets: Monday/Wednesday 10:30am-11:45am in MLH #B30
Course Description:
The costs, causes, and control of crime by and against businesses and other organizations; the relationship between trust and white collar crime; and the impact of the media in shaping perceptions of white collar crime will be studied. Pre-requisite: JS 103 or SOC 101 or SOC 102 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with SOC 333.
Goals:
It is expected that students will become more adept at utilizing social scientific analysis to understand the relationships between elements of social life, the causes of white collar crime, and responses to the problems it poses. The written work and verbal presentations of students should reflect systematic, logical arguments that are clearly supported by theory and research.
Course Requirements:
Exam One 25% Exam Two 25%
Exam Three OR Term Paper 25% Exam Four 25%
Exams:
Four exams (including the final exam) consisting of essay questions and short answer questions will be administered in class. Study questions will be available prior to the exams to help you prepare.
Term Paper (Optional):
Students will choose a white collar crime case to analyze in an approximately 10-page term paper. Students will be expected to utilize theoretical frameworks presented in the class. Students are encouraged to pick topics early in the term and discuss them with me. SEE THE TERM PAPER DETAILS AT THE END OF THE SYLLABUS.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken most meetings. One percent will be added to the final grades of students with recorded attendance of 90% or better.
Student Conduct:
Any student with questions as to what constitutes cheating or plagiarism should consult the instructor in order to avoid any misunderstanding. Students must also keep copies of any written work turned in.
Readings: (Available at the LSCS Bookstore)
Corporate & Governmental Deviance, 6th Ed. (Ermann, Lundman) Oxford, 2002
The Criminal Elite, 5th Ed. (Coleman) Worth, 2002 or 6th edition, 2006
Fateful Harvest (Wilson) Perennial, 2002
Topics and Assignments:
(Due to the nature of academic discussions, the topics listed below will not always correspond to the days listed.)
Aug 23-25: Introduction to the course
Reading: Coleman chapter 1
Aug 30-Sept 1: Studying White Collar Crime & its Costs
Reading: Ermann: Corporate and Governmental Deviance: Origins, Patterns and Reactions
Sept 6-8: Organizational Crime
Reading: Ermann: Beer and Circus: Big-Time College Sports and the Crippling of Undergraduate Education; Organizational Actors and the Irrelevance of Persons
Sept 13-15: Governmental Crime: State Crime and Political White Collar Crime
Reading: Ermann: The Nazi Holocaust; Apartheid Torturer; The My Lai Massacre; The Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Division Scandal
Exam One Sept 15
Sept 20-22: Corporate Crime I
Reading: Ermann: The Criminaloid
Sept 27-29 Corporate Crime II
Reading: Ermann: White Collar Crime; Corporate Crime; The Heavy Electrical Equipment Antitrust Cases; Why Should My Conscience Bother Me?
Exam study questions distributed
Oct 4-6: State-Corporate Crime
Reading: Ermann: The Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster
Coleman: Chapter 2
Oct 11-13: Environmental Crime I
Reading: Wilson: ch. 1-5
Exam Two Oct 13
Oct 18-20: Environmental Crime II
Reading: Wilson: ch.6-epilogue
Oct 25-27: Occupational Crime
Reading: Ermann: Chained Factory Fire Exits
Nov 1-3: Cybercrime
Reading: Coleman: chapter 2 “Computer Crime”
TERM PAPER OUTLINES DUE Nov. 3
Nov 8-10: Finance Crime I
Reading: Coleman chapter 2
Exam Three Nov 10
Nov 15: Finance Crime II
Reading: Coleman chapter 5 (No class Nov. 17 Due to ASC conference)
Nov 21-26: Fall Break
Nov 29-Dec 1: Enterprise Crime, Contrepreneurial Crime
Reading: Coleman: Chapter 2 “Fraud and Deception,” Coleman: chapter 3
Dec 6-8: Policing, Prosecuting, Defending, and Adjudicating White Collar Crime
Reading: Ermann: Ten Whistleblowers; Pinto Madness
Coleman: ch.4 & 6
Exam Study Questions Distributed
TERM PAPER DUE Dec 6
Dec 13: EXAM FOUR/FINAL EXAM 10:30-12:20
JS 333 TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Your task is to choose a white collar crime case to analyze in an approximately ten (10) page (typed and double-spaced) term paper. The abstract and references pages do not count towards the ten-page requirement. You will be expected to utilize theoretical frameworks and concepts from class meetings and readings. However, this is a research project so do not rely ONLY upon the course materials (or other courses) for your material. You must also incorporate materials on the topic you have uncovered from outside sources. You are to approach the topic by examining several of the potential perspectives relevant to the subject (where possible). This is not an extended editorial. I will be most happy to discuss more details, outlines, or rough drafts with you; however, I ask that you do not wait until the final days before the paper is due for feedback.
Some more things to consider:
1. The paper is due December 7. There will be grade deductions of one percent per calendar day for late papers.
2. Make a copy of your paper before you turn it in. In the unlikely case that a paper is found to be missing, you will be expected to be able to produce another copy quickly.
3. You must include a half-page abstract of your paper at the beginning of your essay. Your abstract must include: a) The paper title b) A brief explanation of the topic and why this is an important white collar crime issue, c) Research and analysis methods (e.g. types of sources, theories/concepts used, d) Brief results and conclusions.
4. YOUR REFERENCES MUST INCLUDE AT MINIMUM:
Four ACADEMIC sources (books or journals, not Internet sources, unless they are peer-reviewed journals available on-line via sources such as EBSCO) and of these academic sources, one must be a book or article from the class, and two must be from outside the class. I encourage you to use Internet sources, but they will not count toward the minimum four sources.
5. YOU MUST INCLUDE PHOTOCOPIES OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH PAGES OF TWO OF YOUR SOURCES OF INFORMATION FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS. THESE MUST BE ACADEMIC BOOKS OR ARTICLES. THEY MAY NOT BE INTERNET SOURCES (unless they are peer-reviewed journals available on-line via sources such as EBSCO). STAPLE THE PHOTOCOPIES TO THE BACK OF YOUR ESSAY.
6. Reference all paraphrasing and quotes. Use block quotes for quotes longer than 2 sentences. Include a reference page. You are required to use the APA style referencing: A recent study (Smoe, 1996) reveals knowledge is good. A more specific paraphrase: Joe Smoe (1996:2) found 90 percent of the people believe knowledge is good. A long quote should be indented on both margins and single-spaced:
All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull person. All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull person. All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull person. All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull person. (Smoe, 1996:3)
Here are some useful referencing sites: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_docsocio.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html
When in doubt, it is better to err on the side of over-referencing sources. If you plagiarize, you will receive an "F" for the assignment.
7. Clear and concise writing, with accurate spelling and proper grammar, makes your analysis flow more smoothly. Awkward grammar and spelling mistakes hinder analysis. The writing center may be of some assistance.
8. I encourage you to utilize gender-neutral language.
9. The content of your paper should include a description of the topic, a discussion of why the topic is an important and/or interesting white collar crime case, and the majority of the paper should be a social scientific analysis of the topic using course concepts and theories. Assume the reader is not familiar with the field; therefore, you should clarify concepts and theories. Remember to keep the focus of the paper manageable given the paper’s length. AVOID A SUPERFICIAL SURVEY OF A BROAD TOPIC.
10. Your paper must have the following sections labeled with these headings to receive a passing grade:
Case Description
Case Importance
Stakeholders Involved
Empirical Issues
Case Analysis
Future Implications and Conclusions
11. Papers will receive a 5% deduction if you do not turn in a paper outline on time.
12. Remember the paper is worth 25% of your final grade. Visit or e-mail me with any further questions. Your grade will be based upon how well you have addressed the issues above.
13. Remember to pick a topic that interests YOU, and have fun exploring.
Syllabus Addendum
Consumer Information
In 2008, the federal government required all post-secondary institutions offering federal financial aid programs to provide key data to both prospective and current students. To comply with this requirement, Lewis-Clark State College has developed a consumer information page, which may be accessed at http://www.lcsc.edu/studentconsumerinformation/
Disability Accommodations
Students requiring special accommodations or course adaptations due to a disability and/or a health-related issue should consult their course instructors and the LCSC Student Counseling Center immediately (RCH 111, 792-2211). Official documentation may be required in order to provide an accommodation and/or adaptation.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students have the responsibility for knowing their program requirements, course requirements, and other information associated with their enrollment at LCSC. Students should review the LCSC General Catalog (http://www.lcsc.edu/catalog/) and the LCSC Student Handbook (available at http://www.lcsc.edu/studentservices/contactus.htm) for more information.
Accidents/Student Insurance
Students participating in LCSC classes normally must look to their personal health insurance policy (Student Health Insurance Plan or comparable private coverage) should an accident occur. In the event of an accident, please seek medical help, if necessary, and report the incident to LCSC Security (792-2226). Fieldtrips or other special student activities may also require students to submit a signed participation waiver (forms can be obtained from the supporting Division Office).
Enrollment Verification/Attendance
Students who are not actively pursuing their classes may have to repay part or all of their financial aid awards depending upon the circumstances.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty, which includes cheating and plagiarism, is not tolerated at LCSC. Individual faculty members will impose their own policies and sanctions regarding academic dishonesty. Students who are accused of being academically dishonest may be referred to the Dean of Student Services for official disciplinary action.
Illegal File Sharing
Students using LCSC’s computers and/or computer network must comply with the college’s appropriate use policies and are prohibited from illegally downloading or sharing data files of any kind. Specific information about the college’s technology policies and its protocols for combating illegal file sharing may be found on the Dean of Student Services’ web page (http://www.lcsc.edu/studentservices/).
Diversity Vision Statement
Regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation, you will be treated and respected as a human being. http://www.lcsc.edu/culturaldiversity/