Course Description:
• This is a topics course designed to introduce students to key literature in the field
and to examine some issues related to the use of GIS when studying crime. We
will be examining the relationship between space and crime.
Course Objectives:
• To provide students with a basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems.
• To improve critical thinking skills of students as they are used in the classroom
and in everyday life.Geographic
• To strengthen skills essential to communication: reading, writing, and oral
presentation
• To better understand the scientific process as it is reflected in Geographic
Information Systems and Criminology.
• The readings from the text, other books, and journals are original articles or books
written by the various authors. They are written for academic audiences, such as
yourself. They are not all going to be easy-reads like a traditional text books. If
you do not understand something in an article, be prepared to ask about it in class,
and we will all work through it together.
• The readings have been converted to Adobe Acrobat files – Version 5. If you do
not have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat, they may not open on your
computer. However, Adobe is available for free on the web at the following
location:
• http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
• Examinations: There will be two midterm exams in this course, and one
cumulative make-up final.
• The exams for this course will comprise of some combination of multiple
choice, short answer, and short essay. NO make-up exams will be given.
Failure to take an exam will result in a zero grade (unless you have been
granted permission from the instructor PRIOR to the exam OR HAVE
DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF ILLNESS, etc.).
• Once you sit for any exam, you will receive a grade for that exam. There
are no exceptions.
• Once the first person taking the test leaves the room, students that come
late are no longer eligible to sit for that exam.
• Bring picture identification to each exam (including the cumulative make-
up final). Failure to bring a picture ID to class will prevent you from
taking an exam and you will have to take the make-up cumulative final
exam.
• Exam questions will be taken from lecture and the text. You will find
daily attendance and note-taking to be helpful in exam preparation.
• The fourth mid-term Exam will include an essay that can potentially
reflect material that is presented throughout this course (i.e., one
cumulative question asking you to tie together what you have learned in
the course). Keeping track of your notes and outlining the readings is
helpful for students when they prepare for an exam.
• Evaluation:
Exam 1: 100 points
Exam 2: 100 points
Presentation 100 points
Lab Assignments As assigned
In Class Writing assignments As assigned
WebCT assignments As assigned
Summaries of readings As assigned
• For example – If I give an in-class assignment worth 10 points, then that 10 points
counts toward the final number of points available in that class (i.e., it figures into
the denominator). So, if I earn 8/10 points, I add the 8 points to the number of
points that I have earned in the class (the numerator), and I add the 10 points to
the number of points possible in the class (the denominator).
• GRADES WILL BE POSTED ON WebCT. I do keep permanent records, but
YOU are responsible for keeping track of how you do in this class. Please write
down your scores on all assignments, as well as the total number of points that are
available for that assignment. Remember -- a review of grades can go both ways.
• Now, there are multiple ways to steal someone else’s ideas. Stephen Wilhoit in
his article entitled, “Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism,” lists several forms of
plagiarism (College Teaching, v 42 (Fall 1994): 161-164):
• Buying or lifting a paper, or any portion of a paper, off the internet.
• Turning in a paper written by a fellow student, with or without her
knowledge.
• Copying information directly from a source without providing
documentation (i.e., without a citation explaining where you got the
information). Keep in mind that changing the order of the sentence or
replacing a few words does not make the sentence yours!
• Copying information directly from a source and providing a citation, but
not putting the copied material in quotations, even if you cited the author.
• Putting the source’s information in your own words, but without providing
a citation. Even if they are your words, the ideas were the author’s. As a
general rule, any information that you gathered by reading a source (i.e.,
information you did not know previously) must be cited!
Disability Services:
• We have an excellent Disability Services office on campus. If you require special
accommodations, please make sure you go and see them immediately if you have
not already done so.
• The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing educational
opportunities for all persons. If you anticipate needing accommodations for
learning differences, please let me know. If you require accommodations, please
make sure that you are properly registered with the Disabilities Services Office
(972) 883-2070.
• If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course, please speak
with me after class or in office hours during the first week of class. I will be
happy to make appropriate accommodations provided timely notice is received
and the arrangement is consistent with any recommendations from Disability
Services, when applicable.
Tentative Schedule of Readings:
Changes may be made to this schedule. I will announce changes in class and/or will post
information on WebCT. YOU are responsible for all changes (e.g., reading assignments,
assignment deadlines, etc.).
ORIENTATION – Aug 22
The due dates for readings, articles, and assignments will be announced in class.
Remember, you are required to come prepared for class.
Cox (WebCT)
Cox and Gifford (WebCT)
Kent and Klosterman (WebCT)
Monmonier (WebCT)
Schuler and Obermeyer (WebCT)
The workbook portion of your text was created for a more basic version of the GIS
software that we use at UTD. There are updates that will be provided to you via WebCT.