INTERNSHIP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES CRJ 150 and 155. Course Syllabus

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1 INTERNSHIP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES CRJ 150 and 155 Course Syllabus Course Description: A field experience to enable the criminal justice student to gain insight into the operational, administrative and supervisory functions of the criminal justice agency. The student will be under the supervision of the instructor and an official named by the participating agency. A planned outline of activities with an appropriate balance between assignment to routine tasks and more creative endeavors will serve to guide the student through this experience. Students are required to work in agencies for a flexible number of hours per week for a total of 240 hours. You must have completed at least 120 hours by March 9, COURSE PRE-REQUISITE: Sophomore status or consent of the program coordinator. COURSE LENGTH: 16 weeks for Fall and Spring. Summer 10 weeks. CLASS SESSIONS: This is an integrated ONLINE Course INSTRUCTOR: Hilary Davis Phone (815) Fax (815) Cell (708) hdavis@jjc.edu OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment COURSE OBJECTIVES (including but not limited to): 1. Knowledge regarding the laws pertaining to the type of work the agency does. 2. Understanding and appreciation for the daily operations of the agency. 3. Ability to observe and participate within the agency as well as the skill levels required. 4. Ability to assess whether this profession is a desirable career. 5. Attending an autopsy to become familiar with the techniques involved with one. ATTENDANCE (300 points) Students are expected to attend all scheduled hours and are responsible for all material presented during the course, including course-related handouts and announcements. Students are expected to attend 240 hours at the host agency, with half of the hours completed by mid-term. In addition, there will be mandatory classroom meetings throughout the semester, that students are expected to attend. No excuses. Each

2 unexcused absence is a deduction of 30 points or at the discretion of the instructor. It is suggested that students logon to the ANGEL site for this course AT LEAST once a day. If a student finds that an internship activity is conflicting with the scheduled meeting time, a phone call must be placed at least one hour prior to the scheduled time either by the student or their department supervisor. The only other acceptable excuses for missed hours are military service, jury duty, sickness or death in the family. The instructor will have the discretion to permit other reasons for attendance on a case-bycase basis. In addition, the internship coordinator will be contacting the internship site on a regular basis to evaluate the student s attendance (timeliness, no call-offs, etc.) Students whose grades are being reduced due to poor attendance may be given a warning letter to remind them of their responsibilities and possible grade ramifications. If a student has a job or other outside activities such as sports or other extra-curricular activities, it is understood that the internship and the hours required are to take priority over those other activities. It will be unacceptable for the student to miss internship hours or appointments for the internship due to the activities described above, as well as others determined at the discretion of the instructor. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (160 points) In this course, a good portion of your grade is based on written activity logs. Ten points for each week --10 x 16 weeks = 160. Points will be taken off for spelling, grammar, punctuation as well as other related writing mechanics. When typing your logs, all times must be in military time (as shown in the chart below) and signed off by both the law enforcement agency supervisor and the student BEFORE credit will be given for the hours turned in. Your logs should not contain ten codes of any kind as they are subject to change over time. The internship logs when done correctly, makes it easier for your academic instructor to evaluate your internship experience. These logs are to be turned in every week via an attachment through unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor. FAILURE TO TURN IN YOUR LOGS EVERY WEEK MAY JEOPARDIZE YOUR GRADE AND COULD RESULT IN YOUR DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM. Your logs should contain the following (but are not limited to): 1) hours worked 2) nature of work done 3) activities performed, 4) other pertinent learning experiences. For examples of appropriate logs go to

3 Civilian Time Midnight (12:00 AM) Military Time 0000 hrs 1:00 AM 0100 hrs 2:00 AM 0200 hrs 3:00 AM 0300 hrs 4:00 AM 0400 hrs 5:00 AM 0500 hrs 6:00 AM 0600 hrs 7:00 AM 0700 hrs 8:00 AM 0800 hrs 9:00 AM 0900 hrs 10:00 AM 1000 hrs 11:00 AM 1100 hrs 12:00 PM 1200 hrs 1:00 PM 1300 hrs 2:00 PM 1400 hrs 3:00 PM 1500 hrs 4:00 PM 1600 hrs 5:00 PM 1700 hrs 6:00 PM 1800 hrs 7:00 PM 1900 hrs 8:00 PM 2000 hrs 9:00 PM 2100 hrs 10:00 PM 2200 hrs

4 11:00 PM 2300 hrs AGENCY EVALUATIONS (100 points) There are two evaluations of the internship site, due for the entire internship. These may be turned in to the instructor during meetings or via , at any time during the semester. Each evaluation is worth up to 50 points for a total of 100 points. The numbers assigned to each category by your department supervisor or department personnel filling out the form, determines this score. Depending on the department you are with, you may have a need to turn in more than 2. If that is the case, it is up to the internship coordinator which evaluations will be used for grading purposes. These are to be done on the forms provided for you by the internship coordinator in the ANGEL site. FINAL PAPER: (100 points) Prior to completion of this course a summary paper is required. The summary paper must include (but is not limited to) the following: Description of the agency you are assigned to. The governing section of the agency (i.e. the Mayor s Office, City Manager, City Council, etc.). Description of the main facility of the agency (you may include pictures if allowed by the agency). The organizational structure of the agency. The manpower assigned to the agency broken down by department if applicable (i.e. traffic, investigations, patrol, etc.). The vehicles assigned to the agency as well as the breakdown between departments if applicable. Each department within the agency that you are assigned to should be explained, and must include (but is not limited to) the following: The purpose of the unit why does it exist and what function does it serve? Work assignments for each department. Any special problems or obstacles that the agency and/or its department deals with. The length of the paper is to be at least 14 pages, typed in APA or MLA format with a reference page (if applicable). The font should be Arial size 12 and the paper should be double-spaced, single sided. There should also be a footer with the page number and your last name centered on the bottom of each page starting on page two.

5 The summary paper is due the WEEK BEFORE FINALS. The paper can be ed to the internship coordinator in a Word format as an attachment or turned into the internship coordinator in person in class. This will give the internship coordinator the time needed to grade said papers, and give you a grade for them during finals week. The last class will be spent reviewing the semester, addressing any issues, concerns or comments, and turning in any final logs the students may have. The student will make three copies of the summary paper, one for themselves, one to turn into the internship coordinator and one for the department. GRADE BREAKDOWN: A = 94% - 100% B = 84% - 93% C = 76% - 83% D = 68% - 75% F = 67% or less * NO INCOMPLETE GRADES WILL BE GIVEN UNLESS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR* CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY: In the event that the college closes for any reason (e.g., weather, special holidays), the material scheduled for the cancelled date is automatically rescheduled for the next open business day. In the event that the internship coordinator cannot make it to class, there will be an announcement placed on the internship coordinator's office door, as well as the Blackboard course site. The college will also attempt to call the student at the contact number they provided to the college in an effort to make them aware of the cancellation. DROP/WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Those students who feel they are experiencing poor academic performance and/or exhibit poor attendance must take the initiative and withdraw themselves from the class and not assume the internship coordinator will do it for them.

6 LEARNING CONTRACT: A comprehensive learning contract between the internship coordinator and student will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Students should know that the internship coordinator is sincerely dedicated to student success and has an open door policy to help students. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are having problems or concerns of any kind that may affect your success in this class as well as the internship itself. I believe the best way to learn is through class participation, hands-on experience and having fun. The ultimate goal of this program is to afford the student the opportunity to get a feel for criminal justice and/or law enforcement, in an effort to ensure that this is the field that the student wishes to pursue. This is done through weekly logs, class participation and hands-on training, provided by the area law enforcement agencies, as well as other activities decided upon by the internship coordinator. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: JJC adheres to the student code of conduct as published by the Office of the Dean of Student Development. Six primary behaviors are expected: 1. Respect each other. 2. Take responsibility for your actions. 3. Be fair. 4. Act with honesty. 5. Trust each other. 6. Demonstrate civility. Additionally, responsible students should do the following things: 1. Arrive to scheduled hours on time and do not leave early. 2. Read the course syllabus. 3. Demonstrate and respect divergent opinions. 4. Leave cell phones and pagers on vibrate or turn them off. 5. Attend every class session. 6. Got to the agency site prepared. 7. Expect 2 hours of study time for every spent in class. 8. Complete all assignments in a timely manner. 9. Remain until you are dismissed. 10. Get INVOLOVED in class discussions and ask any and all questions. 11. Notify the internship coordinator EARLY in the course if you are having ANY problems. 12. Manage your time so assignments are done early. 13. All written work must be typed on a word processor such as MS Word.

7 14. Take PRIDE IN YOUR WORK, it is a reflection of you both as an individual and a student. 15. Students are expected to make the internship coordinator aware of any learning disabilities or any requirement they may have to tape class lectures or any other learning impairments that the student may have. ACADEMIC HONESTY, MISCONDUCT AND PLAGIARISM: Any form of academic dishonesty will result in an F for the course and will be reported to the program coordinator who holds the right to report this incident to the College Judicial Officer. Please read the section in your College Bulletin, which describes those behaviors that constitute Academic Dishonesty and discusses the rights and responsibilities of both students and faculty. This internship coordinator reserves the right to verify any and all items written in the internship logs turned in by the students in this class. If it is found that these events and/or hours have been fabricated or exaggerated on the student may face the following consequences mandated but not limited to: 1. Receive a failing grade. 2. Reporting of incident to program coordinator who holds the right to report this incident to the College Judicial Officer 3. Removal from the program. CLASSROOM DECORUM: It is important that students feel comfortable while learning. In consideration of this students may snack or drink beverages in the classroom as long as they clean up after themselves. Abuse of this privilege may result in the abolishment of it. College rules forbid ANY TOBACCO (including chewing tobacco) products in the college buildings. Your internship coordinator has the responsibility to ensure that the classroom environment is conductive to the learning experience of all students. The advancement of various viewpoints and positions on issues is part of the learning process and all students are encouraged to participate. However, students are reminded that the communications process is also one of being a good listener as well a participant. Furthermore, the classroom will not become a forum for the sole purpose of those with personal agenda s. Your internship coordinator reserves the right to set forth certain standards and requirements as they may relate to expected student conduct, behavior and demeanor in the classroom. Students with concerns in this area may discuss them with the internship coordinator. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: The college has clear and firm policies regarding sexual harassment and such conduct will never be tolerated in a criminal justice, law enforcement course or internship. Any unwanted remarks, jokes or sexual advances should be reported to the internship coordinator and/or the program coordinator.

8 PAGERS & CELL PHONES: Respect is the key element in the classroom and throughout the learning process. In respect to your classmates and internship coordinator as well as in an effort to create the best possible learning environment, all pagers, cell phones and any other noise producing electronic devices MUST be silenced and or turned off during class. If your pager, cell phone or other electronic device rings during the class you may face a reduction in your grade or be excused to place the pager, cell phone or electronic device in your vehicle and a deduction made for attendance. This is at the discretion of the internship coordinator. INTERNSHIP DO S AND DON T S: Set specific goals for yourself and the internship. Make sure you know what YOU want to accomplish and gain from the internship. Understand that the internship is not paid and that your hours are volunteered and no compensation is to be expected or requested. Expect to be treated professionally and with respect, as you are expected to act the same way. Internships are a privilege and are to be earned. Make sure you attend all classes and keep all appointments that are made within your internship. Do not pass up opportunities that may be offered to you that go beyond the scope of the internship that may lead to other learning experiences within the internship. Keep in mind that your internship coordinator MUST APPROVE these activities in advance. Try to get as much exposure throughout the internship itself, as those contacts may lead to other opportunities in the future. DO NOT be afraid or hesitant to ask questions. Be open to learning new skills and methodologies. Keep an open mind, as very often what you see, hear and experience are often out of your normal comfort zone or environment. Leave your internship with new skills, a better understanding of your chosen field and tangible accomplishments such as attending an autopsy. Enjoy your internship even when you are doing less than desirable work. Remember that your internship is mostly what you make of it and take away with you. EXTRA CREDIT:

9 Extra credit can be earned on a case-by-case basis by attending and participating in club activities.