Examines criminal activity in business and corporate enterprises, organizations, and the professions. Theories regarding the causes and control of white-collar and corporate crime are covered as well as the numerous definitions of these terms. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Prerequisite(s): CJ 1010 or POLS 1100  - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Registration Restriction(s): None

Required: White-Collar Crime, the Essentials, 3rd Edition by Dr. Brian K. Payne

Additional readings, audio, and video files will be used throughout the course; please see the detailed listing within each Canvas Module.

• Each Module within Canvas will contain that specific week's information (lecture, video, readings, etc.).

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Knowledge of White-Collar Crime and its impact on society as a whole.  Students will gain an understanding of applicable terminology; understand the different components of the criminal justice system as well as a basic understanding of what those components accomplish and identify employment opportunities in criminal justice.

       1.1 - In Module 1, students will analyze White-Collar Crime at an introductory level by receiving instruction on terms, case studies involving white-collar crime situations and why individuals engage in criminal activities that equate to “white-collar” crime. Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Question and intra-discussion with their classmates and successful completion of the weekly quiz. 

       1.2 - In Module 2, students will be introduced to practical and very real examples of White-Collar Crime through the examination of the Documentary Film “The Inside Job”.  In addition, students will be provided with an academic illustration and perspective of White-Collar Crime related to the Housing System, or Real Estate Market via review of the applicable chapter in the course required textbook.  Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Writing Assignment, Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates and the successful completion of the weekly quizzes. 

       1.3 - In Module 3, students will assemble a working knowledge of White-Collar Crime from a historical perspective and analysis of the evolutions of the Marketplace that led to White-Collar Crime and its perpetuation.  Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates and successful completion of the weekly quizzes. 

• • Students will demonstrate their understanding of the course materials via their completion of a Midterm Exam that covers Modules 1, 2 and 3

       1.4 - In Module 4, students will analyze the concept of “Capitalism” - how it relates to White-Collar Crime, and how White-Collar Crime grew out of, and flourished under Capitalism.   Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates and successful completion of the weekly quizzes. 

       1.5 - In Module 5, students will interpret and distinguish White-Collar Crime from the perspective of Insurance Fraud, general insurance and fraud specific to healthcare.  Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates and successful completion of the weekly quizzes. 

      1.6 - In Module 6, students will interpret and distinguish White-Collar Crime from the perspective of Cyber Crimes and Crimes in the Education System.   Students will then demonstrate their mastery of the information through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates and successful completion of the weekly quizzes. 

     1.7 - In Module 7, students will demonstrate their understanding of the course materials via their completion of a non-cumulative Final Exam that covers Modules 4, 6 and 6.

2. Critical Thinking: Students will utilize information from various sources to draw conclusions and demonstrate their knowledge of the specific concepts that encompass the whole of “White-Collar Crime” through the successful completion of the assigned Discussion Questions and intra-discussion with their classmates, successful completion of the weekly quizzes, singular Writing Assignment, cumulative Final Exam (2-parts).

3. Teamwork: Students will work together to complete weekly Discussion Questions via the review and comment on each other’s work, thereby demonstrating their knowledge of the assigned lectures, readings, assignments and quizzes. Also, by reviewing and responding to other students’ responses the students are creating an increased opportunity for their mastery of the course information and assisting other students in the same regard.

4. Intercultural Knowledge: Students will be able to differentiate the challenges different cultures face in the criminal justice system.

Assessment Overview

Students will have weekly:

• Discussion questions (12 total, including Introduction Question), total point value = 18; percent of grade = 18%
• Weekly quizzes (11 total), total point value = 22; percent of grade = 22%
• One writing assignment, total point value = 15; percent of grade = 15%
• One midterm Exam and one Final Exam; total point value for BOTH parts = 45; percent of grade = 45%

Grade Weights

Letter Grade Scale

Discussion Question Requirements

• Provide an initial submission to each Discussion Question (DQ) and a secondary response to at least one other student’s response. To receive full credit for the DQ you MUST submit a primary response AND a secondary response.
• The initial submission must be at least 200 words in length.
• The secondary response must be at least 100 words.
• Submissions totaling less than these requirements will be downgraded based upon the total word count submitted.

For example:

• DQ is worth a total of 1.50 points
• First initial submission equals 195 words, possible grade value = (195/200)/2 = 48.75%
• Secondary student response submission equals 95 words, possible grade value = (95/100)/2 = 47.50%
• Discussion Question grade = 48.75% + 47.50% = 96.25% = 1.44 points (1.50 * 96.25%)

Additional points are not given for responses exceeding word count.

Exams

One Midterm Exam (Modules 1, 2 and 3) and one non-cumulative Final Exam (Modules 4, 5 and 6).

Term: August 27 - December 11, 2025

Online course structure:

• Six Modules of Instruction
• One Midterm
• One non-cumulative Final Exam

Modules and Weeks

Instructor Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to the instructor, a response will be provided within the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning—please look for feedback on your assignments in the specified amount of time (see Canvas help on viewing comments).

• Respond to student messages within 1-business day
• Provide grades and feedback within 5-days from the due date

Discussion Deadlines and Late Work

• Unless explicitly stated by the Instructor, weekly discussions are due no later than each Sunday at 11:59 PM MST, regardless of any error that may occur in Canvas.
• Late submissions coordinated with the instructor in advance of the due date AND received within 1-week of due date will receive 50% of the maximum possible points.
• Late submissions received beyond 1-week of due date will not be accepted.

Quiz Deadlines and Late Work

• Quizzes must be completed before Sunday at 11:59 PM MST, regardless of any error that may occur in Canvas unless explicitly stated by the Instructor.
• Late submissions coordinated with the instructor in advance of the due date AND received within 1-week of due date will receive 50% of the maximum possible points; late submissions received beyond 1-week of due date will not be accepted.

Extra Credit Policy

Weekly Extra Credit Opportunity: Points/grading for ALL extra credit assignments are assigned AFTER grading for all required assignments, quizzes, exams, etc., are completed. Please submit all extra credit in APA format.

• NOTE: For the extra credit opportunity related to the summarization of other students' responses to a Discussion Question, to receive full credit you MUST identify three themes across the collective class responses AND summarize what you learned within these three themes.
  • As a very simplistic example or illustration, a response that literally stated the three themes would receive zero extra credit points:
    • Example: "theme1, theme2, theme3" [3-word total response]
    • Example: "I found the following three themes to be consistent across a number of students: theme1, theme2, theme3"
  • The point of this extra credit assignment is to review the other students' responses so that you gain a greater, and hopefully richer understanding of the information by reading, understanding and summarizing the other students' responses and citing common themes across these responses.

Attendance will be measured through your participation in the online discussions and assessments.

For current information about program and course fees, please visit: Program and Course Fees

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.