CRJS 5831 - Violence in America
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 30962,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Monica Merrill
Professional Qualifications:
Ph. D., Sociology, University of Akron
Master’s, Sociology, University of Akron
Bachelor’s, Justice Studies, Kent State
Bachelor’s, Psychology, Kent State
Associate Professor
Email: mmmerrill@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa 2616
Office Phone: 330-941-7223
Preferred Contact Method: email
Communication Expectations:
I will make every effort to return emails within 48 hours and grades within one week.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Merrill, Professor Merrill, Monica (she/hers)
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Course Description
Analysis of violence in America, including official and unofficial statistics, types and levels of violence, research findings, and profiles of offenders. We will also examine the history of violence, theoretical perspectives explaining violence and specific types of violence.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violence: An Enduring Problem (5 ed). | Alex Alvarez and Ronet Bachman | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | Introduction Defining Violence Why We Do it | Text- Ch. 1 Text -Ch. 2 | Syllabus Quiz- Due Wed. 7/1 DP 0 Introductions- Due Sun. 7/5 DP 1 Defining Violence- Due Sun. 7/5 A1 Crime Rates- Due Sun. 7/5 Quiz Ch. 1- Due Sun. 7/5 Quiz Ch. 2- Due Sun. 7/5 DP 0 Comments- Due Tue. 7/7 DP 1 Comments- Due Tue. 7/7 |
| 7/6 | Assault and Murder Serial, mass, and Spree Killing | Text- Ch. 3 Text- Ch. 4 | DP 2 Mass Shootings- Due Sun. 7/12 A2 Murder- Due Sun. 7/12 Quiz Ch. 3- Due Sun 7/12 Quiz Ch. 4- Due Sun. 7/12 DP 2 Comments- Due Tue. 7/14 |
| 7/13 | Violence in America | Text Ch. 5 | DP 3 Child Abuse- Due Sun. 7/19 A3 IPV- Due Sun. 7/19 Quiz Ch. 5- Due Sun. 7/19 MIDTERM- Due Sun. 7/19 DP 3 Comments- Due Tue. 7/21 |
| 7/20 | Rape and Sexual Assault Street Violence | Text Ch. 6 & Text Ch. 7 | DP 4 Incels & Violence- Due Sun. 7/26 A4 Gang violence- Due Sun. 7/26 Quiz Ch. 6- Due Sun. 7/26 Quiz Ch. 7- Due Sun. 7/26 DP 4 Comments- Due Tue. 7/28 |
| 7/27 | Hate Crimes Crowd Violence | Text Ch. 8 & Ch. 9 | DP 5 Hate Crimes- Due Sun. 8/2 A5 Crowd Violence- Due Sun. 8/2 Quiz Ch. 8- Due Sun. 8/2 Quiz Ch. 9- Due Sun. 8/2 DP 5 Comments- Due Tue. 8/4 |
| 8/3 | Genocide & Prevention | Text Ch. 11 & Ch. 12 | DP 6 Genocide- Due Sun. 8/9 A6 Prevention- Due Sun. 8/9 Quiz Ch. 11- Due Sun. 8/9 Quiz Ch. 12- Due Sun. 8/9 DP 6 Comments- Due Tue. 8/11 |
| 8/10 | Wrap-Up | Final Project- Due Fri. 8/14 Final Exam -Due Sat. 8/15 |
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.