Instructor: Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld, J.D., Ph.D.

Office: C213G

Phone: 667-3229

email: phyllisg@toto.csustan.edu

Web Page: http://cjwww.csustan.edu/cj/courses/syllabi/psych.html

REQUIRED TEXTS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will concern the psychological theories of criminal behavior. We will focus on the explanations for why ordinary individuals sometimes break the law. We will also explore some of the issues concerning such exceptional offenders as serial killers and sex offenders.

GRADING:

Your grade in this class will be based on the following criteria: two written exams (35% each) and a major project (30%). Grades will be based on the following scale:

90 to 100 - A

80 to 89 - B

70 to 79 - C

60 to 69 - D

Below 60 - F
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exams:

There will be examinations on October 22 and December 3. The exams will be closed book, and will likely be a combination of short answer and fill-in-the-blank questions. There will be no multiple choice questions, so you can't guess; you must know the material well! The exams will cover all material assigned in the readings, whether it is discussed in class or not, as well as materials from class lectures, discussions, and videos.

Absent truly extraordinary circumstances, there will be no makeup exams. Makeup exams are unfair to other students and inconvenient to the department secretary. Instead, if you miss one of the exams, you must take a comprehensive final (on December 12^th). Students who take both of the regular exams don't have to take the comprehensive final. However, if you're unhappy with your grade on one of the regular exams, you can choose to take the final, and I'll simply drop your lowest exam grade.

Class participation:

Although a portion of this class will consist of lectures, class discussions will also be an important component. You are expected and encouraged to participate in class discussions. You must attend class regularly, demonstrate that you have completed the assigned readings, and be active in class discussions. Failure to do so will have an adverse impact on your grade.

Project:

This is a four credit class. For the "laboratory" portion of the class, you will be expected to complete a substantial project, and to present the results of that project to the class. More information on this assignment will be given to you in class.

CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, ETC.:

It's very disruptive when cell phones, beepers etc. go off in the middle of class. It's a discourtesy to both the instructor and your fellow students. Therefore, unless it is of absolutely vital importance that you be reached while in class (e.g, you are a surgeon on call, you're expecting a call from the President, your significant other is about to go into labor, etc.) turn off the ringer! If your electronic device rings, beeps, or otherwise makes noise during class, and you cannot demonstrate that it was vitally important that you keep the ringer on, you will be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation to the class on a topic of the instructor's choice.
 
 

ASSIGNMENTS:
 

Sept. 10	Introduction
Sept. 17	Bartol, Ch. 1: Introduction to Criminal Behavior Andrews & Bonta Ch. 2: Defining Criminal Behavior*
Sept. 24	Andrews & Bonta, Ch. 3: Psychodynamic Theories*
Oct. 1	Bartol, Ch. 3 & 4: Biological theories
Oct. 8	Bartol, Ch. 5: Learning Theories
Oct. 15	Andrews & Bonta, Ch. 4: Personality & Social Psychological theories*
Oct. 22	Review & EXAM 1
Oct. 29	Andrews & Bonta, Ch. 5: Developmental theories* Bartol & Bartol, pp. 25-40: Psychological testing*
Nov. 5	Bartol, Ch. 6: Mentally disordered offenders
Nov. 12	Hickey, Ch. 1, 3, 4
Nov. 19	Hickey, Ch. 5, 6, 8, 10
Nov. 26	Bartol, Ch. 10: Sex offenders
Dec. 3	Review & EXAM 2
Dec. 12	Poster Session and Final Exam (Final Exam is optional)

 

* On reserve in library