Sociology 434                                                                          Dr. James Kanan

Organized Crime                                                                      Office: 112 Grise

Summer 2005                                                                          Hours: 11:40 – 12:30 MTWR

June Session                                                                            Phone: 745-2404

Web address: http://www.wku.edu/~james.kanan                    Email: james.kanan@wku.edu

            Hollywood and the mass media have familiarized most people with some of the more colorful and dramatic aspects of organized crime in the United States.  In fact, given the popularity of TV and movies, one might even say that America holds a fascination with the concept of organized crime—at least, Hollywood’s version of it, that is.  Most of us recognize and are familiar with some of the more notorious figures (e.g., Al Capone, John Gotti) and activities of the mafia.  However, there is more to contemporary organized crime than simply the activities of the mob.  We will apply an academic approach to analyzing organized crime in the United States, and to some extent, around the globe.  Successful completion of the course should include a solid conception of what organized crime is, and what it is not.  This course will also expose you to much of the historical foundations of the organized crime which led to its development and current status.  Finally, the successful student will also be somewhat familiar with the argot of organized crime, as well as explanations for it and the various measures undertaking by this country, in particular, to control it.

 TEXT: Abadinsky, Howard. 2003. Organized Crime (7^th Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.  Additional readings may be provided though links on the internet.

 EXAMS: There will be five exams, each of which will consist of multiple choice questions covering the lectures, reading, and any videos we may watch. Take note that the final exam is NOT cumulative, meaning it will only cover material from the last fourth of the course. 

 *Note: If for some reason the university is closed on the day of an exam, the exam will be administered on the first day of class following the cancelled class.  If the university cancels the class period immediately preceding an exam, the exam will be administered as scheduled.

 *Note2: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Garrett 101.  The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD.   Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor or tampering with the academic work of other students.  It will not be tolerated and any violations of this policy will result in failure in the course work in which the act is detected and possible failure of the course, without possibility of withdrawal.

 GRADE SCALE: The final grade for the class will be determined by a calculating the sum total of grades earned from the five equally weighted exams.  Each exam will be worth 100 pts.  The grade scale is as follows:

            A = 450 - 500 pts;  B = 400 - 449 pts.;  C = 350 - 399 pts.;   D = 300 - 349 pts.; F = less than 300 pts.

COURRSE OUTLINE

DATES                                                TOPICS                                  READING ASSIGNMENT

 May 31 – June 3                                 Introduction and Evolutions of Organized Crime

                                                The Organization of Crime                  Chapter 1

                                                                                                          (skip pp. 4 – 18)

                                                            Structure and Explanation                    Chapter 2

                                                            Models of Organized Crime

                                                            The Evolution of OC in U.S.                Chapter 3

EXAM 1:  Monday, June 6                                                                                                   

 June 7 - 10                              Organized Crime Groups Part I                  

                                                            The Domestics:                                               

                                                                        Irish, Jewish, Italians               Chapters 4 & 5

                                                                        Blacks                                    Chapter 6

                                                                        Outlaw Bikers                         Chapter 1 (pp 4-18)

EXAM 2: Monday, June 13                                                                                       _____

 June 14-17                              Organized Crime Groups Part II

                                                            The Internationals:                              

                                                                        Italians                                     Chapter 7

Hispanics                                 Chapter 8

                                                                        Asians                                     Chapter 9

                                                                        Europeans                                Chapter 10

EXAM 3: Monday, June 20                                                                                       ____

 
June 21 - 24                            The Businesses of OC            

                                                            Money and Sex                                   Chapter 11

Labor and Business                             Chapter 12

Drugs                                                 Chapter 13

EXAM 4: Monday, June 27                                                                           ____________

June 28 – June 30                   Fighting Organized Crime

Statutes                                              Chapter 14

Justice System                                    Chapter 15

                                                            Government

 FINAL EXAM: Friday, July 1                                                                                      ___