Syllabus

Description: Crimes committed by the governments and officers of liberal states, posited in the context of the rule of law. Emphasis on illegal activities in American government at all levels.

Purpose of Course: The purpose of CRJU 3140 is development of understanding of the forms, purposes and effects of political crime in free societies - and the forms, purposes and effects of both official and unofficial efforts to deal with political crime.

Expected Learning Outcomes: The successful student in this course will understand and be able to explain the various forms, purposes, rationales and putative justifications of political crime and the reasons political crime is particularly insidious in a free society; the various forms and functions of all efforts to counter political crime.

Evaluation Opportunities: Students will prepare a 30-page research paper which will in essence be an additional chapter of the text, updating it by focusing on political crimes of the Clinton administration (50% of the final course grade, due Monday, 26 November) and an essay response to the open-book, take-home final examination (50% of the final course grade, due Friday, 7 December.)

Teaching Approach: Enrollment permitting, the course will be conducted as a seminar, with strong emphasis on student preparation and participation.

Text: Hagan, Political Crime.

Attendance and Additional Notes: Class attendance is strongly encouraged. Grades will not be posted or given out by the instructor in his office; students wishing to find out their grades prior to the Registrar mail-out should turn in a self-addressed, stamped envelope when they turn in their final examination papers.