Fall 2024
Introduction to Security Threat Groups
Introduction to Security Threat Groups (CJSA 1371) INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Chris Spears Email: clspears1@lit.edu Office Phone: (409)880-8023 Office Hours: Wednesdays 6-7pm (Online) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Complete the Online Orientation and answer yes to 7+ questions on the Online Learner Self Evaluation https://www.lit.edu/online-learning/online-orientation/is-distance-learning-right-for-me COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to provide you with an introduction into Security Threat Groups (Also known as “Gangs”). As we learn about the groups, you will be taught about the methods of identifying gang members, as well as the methods of reducing gang membership and violence. We will discuss current philosophies, weapons, tactics, funding sources, computer uses, Communications, Internet use, and other technologies used to operate covertly by domestic security threat groups. As we analysis specific Security Threat Groups, we will study their origins, problems defining gangs, and the challenges gangs pose to United States policy makers and law enforcement agencies. This course is time-bound, structured, and will have both in-person and online requirements This is an online course that will require your attention and effort. It will be delivered through a sixteen (16) week period consisting of 8 modules. There will be weekly discussions that all are required to participate in order to pass the course. The course is strongly based on your ability to read the assigned material, and engage with your peers’ discussing the topics along the way. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Identify security threat groups and subcultures 2. Examine security threat groups’ philosophies, political, economic, and environmental impact on public administration and the private sector 3. Identify the legal changes required to combat security threat groups 4. Present the results of Gangology research REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS GANGS: A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs 5, by Al Valdez, Ph.D. ©2009 ISBN: 978 1 56325 147 4 ATTENDANCE POLICY You must log onto Blackboard and access this course a minimum of three times per week and attend the prescheduled in-person class dates. These will be announced after the start of class. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified drop date as listed on the Academic Calendar. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. STUDENT EXPECTED TIME REQUIREMENT For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16- week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC Discussions (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 8/26/24 (1) Introduction “Introductions” Discussion (1) - Introduction Assignment - Begin reading Chapter 1 9/2/24 (2) Overview (Chapter 1) Discussion (2) Assignment (1) 09/02/2023 9/9/24 (3) Ethnic & Gender based Gangs (Chapter 2) • West Coast Latino Gangs • Sureno-Norteno Gangs • 18th Street Gang Discussion (3) Begin reading Chapter (2) 9/16/24 (4) Ethnic & Gender based Gangs (Chapter 2) • Mara Salvatrucha • Asian Gangs • Tiny Rascal Gangs • Wah Ching • Asian Boyz Discussion (4) Chapter (2) continued.. 9/23/24 (5) Ethnic & Gender based Gangs (Chapter 2) • African – American Gangs • United Blood Nation None • Test (1) • Chapter (2) continued.. • Jamaican Gangs 9/30/24 (6) Ethnic & Gender based Gangs (Chapter 2) • Female Gangs • Native American Gangs Discussion (5) Complete Chapter (2) 10/7/24 (7) Activity Based Gangs (Chapter 3) • Skinhead Gangs • The Hammerskin Nation • Public Enemy Number One • Nazi Low Riders Discussion (6) Begin reading Chapter 3 10/14/24 (8) Activity Based Gangs (Chapter 3) • Straight Edge • Tagger Crew • Party Crews, Posses & Clubs Discussion (7) Continue reading Chapter 3 10/21/24 (9) Activity Based Gangs (Chapter 3) • The Occult and Gangs • The Goth Scene • Juggalos • Hybrid Gangs Discussion (8) Continue reading Chapter 3 10/28/24 (10) Activity Based Gangs (Chapter 3) • Midwest & East Coast Gangs • Motorcycle Gangs Test (2) 11/4/24 11) Prison Gangs (Chapter 4) • Prison Gangs in California • Prison Gangs in Texas Discussion (9) Read Chapter 4 11/11/24 (12) Military Gangs (Chapter 5) • Gangs in the Military Discussion (10) Read Chapter 5 11/18/24 (13) Transnational Gangs (Chapter 6) • Mexico Drug Trafficking Organizations • Zetas Discussion (11) • Transnational Gangs 11/25/24 (14) Thanksgiving Break 12/2/24 (15) Responses (Chapter 7) • Drugs and Gangs • T.A.R.G.E.T. • Gangs and Schools • Gangs and Family • Gangs and Corrections 12/9/24 (16) Final Exam COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Tests 40% • Assignments 30% • Discussions 30% GRADING SCALE 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. You must log onto Blackboard and access this course a minimum of three times per week. 2. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. 3. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and dropping the course. If you stop logging-in to the course and do not complete the course drop process, then you will receive an “F” grade for the course 4. Internet Usage – Students are expected to use proper net etiquette while participating in course emails, assignment submissions, and online discussions. 5. Additional class policies as defined by the individual course instructor.