CRJS 5831 - Violence in America
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 42076,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Monica Merrill
Email: mmmerrill@ysu.edu
Course Description
5831. Violence in America. Analysis of violence in America including official and unofficial statistics, types and levels of violence, research findings, and profiles of offenders. Case analysis of domestic violence, juvenile violence, gangs, and other forms of violence. Prereq.: CRJS 3735. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Violence: An Enduring Problem | Alvarez and Bachman | ISBN- 9781071859196 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19 | Text Ch. 1 Text Ch. 2 |
Introduction Defining Violence Why We Do it |
Syllabus Quiz- Due Wed. 10/21 DP 0 Introductions- Due Sun. 10/25 DP 1 Defining Violence- Due Sun. 10/25 A1 Crime Rates- Due Sun. 10/25 Quiz Ch. 1- Due Sun. 10/25 Quiz Ch. 2- Due Sun. 10/25 DP 0 Comments- Due Tue. 10/27 DP 1 Comments- Due Tue. 10/27 |
| 10/26 | Text. Ch. 3 Text Ch. 4 |
Assault, Murder Serial, Mass, and Spree Killings |
DP 2 Mass Shootings- Due Sun. 11/1 A2 Murder- Due Sun. 11/1 Quiz Ch. 3- Due Sun 11/1 Quiz Ch. 4- Due Sun. 11/1 DP 2 Comments- Due Tue. 11/3 |
| 11/2 | Text Ch. 5 | Violence in the Home | DP 3 Child Abuse- Due Sun. 11/8 A3 IPV- Due Sun. 11/8 Quiz Ch. 5- Due Sun. 11/8 MIDTERM- Due Sun. 11/8 DP 3 Comments- Due Tue. 11/10 |
| 11/9 | Text Ch. 6 Text Ch. 7 |
Rape and Sexual Assault Street Violence |
DP 4 Incels/Violence- Due Sun. 11/15 A4 Gang violence- Due Sun. 11/15 Quiz Ch. 6- Due Sun. 11/15 Quiz Ch. 7- Due Sun. 11/15 DP 4 Comments- Due Tue. 11/17 |
| 11/16 | Text Ch. 8 Text Ch. 9 |
Hate Crimes Crowd Violence |
DP 5 Hate Crimes- Due Sun. 11/22 A5 Crowd Violence- Due Sun. 11/22 Quiz Ch. 8- Due Sun. 11/22 Quiz Ch. 9- Due Sun. 11/22 DP 5 Comments- Due Tue. 11/24 |
| 11/23 | Text Ch. 11 Text Ch. 12 |
Genocide Prevention |
DP 6 Genocide- Due Sun. 11/29 A6 Prevention- Due Sun. 11/29 Quiz Ch. 11- Due Sun. 11/29 Quiz Ch. 12- Due Sun. 11/29 DP 6 Comments- Due Tue. 12/1 |
| 11/30 | Wrap up | Final Project- Due Fri. 12/4 Final Exam -Due Sat. 12/5 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.