WHITE COLLAR CRIME
 SYLLABUS
 Section Instructor: Dr. Tom O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

Class meets: as scheduled
Office hours: as scheduled
APSU Center @ Ft. Campbell
Telephone: (931) 221-1477
(931) 221-1493 (Fax)
Email: oconnort@apsu.edu
Web: www.drtomoconnor.com		 Textbook photo


COURSE DESIGNATION: CRJ 4220 White Collar Crime (3 semester hours); cross-listed with Professional Studies course PTMA 4220 (White Collar Crime)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: The study of contemporary forms of white collar crime and its explanations, theories, and accounts along with its investigation, adjudication, and regulation. (no prerequisites)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquire an understanding of white collar crime in its various forms
2. To understand the law and social control of white collar crime
3. To examine specific cases of the investigation of white collar criminals 
4. To appreciate the challenges of prosecution and defense of such criminals 
5. To articulate informed opinion over debates and issues in the field 
6. To identify criminological theories which apply to these kinds of crimes  
7. To appreciate the need for further theory, research, and policy    

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:

1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security

CONTENT OUTLINE:

Week 1: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. Profiles of White Collar Criminals

Week 2: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. Criminology of White Collar Crime

Week 3: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. Money Laundering
3a. Forgery and Fraud (from Criminal Law course)
3b. Larceny and Theft (from Criminal Law course)
3c. Property Crime Investigation (from Investigations course)

Week 4: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. Identity Theft
4a. Consumer and Voter Profiling

Week 5: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. Topics in Police Ethics and Corruption (from Ethics course)
5a. Cross-Cultural Corruption (****Sensitive Material; from Comparative PM course)  

Week 6: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. International Financial Organiations (from Comparative PM course)
6a. Globalization and Antiglobalization (from Intl Terrorism course)
6b. Economic Security and Political Economy (****Sensitive Material; from Global Security course)

Week 7: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. Organized Crime Investigation (from Investigations course)
7a. Situational Awareness of Danger (from Managing Incidents course)
7b. Cybercrime and Cyberlaw (from Network Security course)
7c. Disaster Fraud (from Managing Incidents course)

Week 8: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. The Social Control of White Collar Crime
8a. Investigative Methods in Forensic Accounting (from Investigations course)

REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Textbook: Friedrichs, D. (2010). Trusted Criminals: White Collar Crime in Contemporary Society, 4e. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage. ISBN: 0-495-60082-2.  Note: PTMA instructors will likely use a different book, but the CRJ course will use the Friedrichs book which contains the following chapters that should be read in order and everything in between:
Chapter 1: The Discovery of White Collar Crime, pp. 1-33
Chapter 2: Studying White Collar Crime and Assessing its Costs, pp. 34-59
Chapter 3: Corporate Crime, pp. 60-94
Chapter 4: Occupational Crime and Avocational Crime, pp. 96-125
Chapter 5: Governmental Crime: State Crime and Political Crime, pp. 127-158
Chapter 6: State-Corporate Crime: Globalization and Finance Crime, pp. 159-190
Chapter 7: Enterprise Crime, Contrepreneurial Crime, and Technocrime, pp. 192-218
Chapter 8: White Collar Crime Theories and Accounts, pp. 219-248
Chapter 9: Law and Social Control of White Collar Crime, pp. 250-275
Chapter 10: Policing and Regulating White Collar Crime, pp. 277-308
Chapter 11: Prosecuting and Adjudicating White Collar Crime, pp. 309-342
Chapter 12: Responding to the Challenge of White Collar Crime, pp. 345-371

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize the correct style or format with writing assignments.

Additional Learning Resources (Internet Links in lectures and these general resources)
 Cornell Law School Resources on WCC
EPA Laws and Regulations on Environmental Crimes
FBI Approach to Measurement of WCC
FBI White Collar Crime and Fraud webpage
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
FindLaw WCC Resource Page
IRS Scams, Schemes, and Tax Fraud Alerts
Lucy Komisar's The Komisar Scoop Website
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
Ripoff Report by/for Consumers
Roy Davies Financial Scandals Website
Securities and Exchange Commission
US Dept. of Justice Fraud Section
US Secret Service Financial Fraud Investigations webpage
US Treasury Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes
White Collar Crime Professors Blog

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned readings, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor.  In addition, students are expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire to participate in any discussion.  Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper assignment are to be followed precisely.  The Instructor will announce all deadlines and instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.

BASIS AND METHODS FOR GRADING: (May vary by instructor):

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion contributions)

The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit. At times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly more.

A = 93-100
B = 86-92
C = 78-85
D = 70-77
F = 69/below

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, if this is a web-based course), and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as scheduled. If a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the instructor.

DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University.  Cheating is defined as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the work of someone else's as one's own.  APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Last updated: Oct. 30, 2011
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T.  (2011). "Syllabus for White Collar Crime," MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/4220/default.htm accessed on July 06, 2011..