Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice. CRJ 445 Siena Heights University/JC. Fall Semester Thursday 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Transcription

1 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice CRJ 445 Siena Heights University/JC Fall Semester 2015 Thursday 6:00-9:00 p.m. Instructor: Christopher Boulter Office Hours: Before or after class each Thursday or by appointment. Required Text Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Management by Dan Lacher, (1 st edition), 2014, Cognella Academic Publishing. ISBN Character and Cops by Edwin J. Delattre, (6 th ed.), 2011, Rowan & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN Course Description: We will take an in depth look into issues effecting criminal justice today. We will examine what defines an issue, along with what is considered contemporary. This class begins with a look at internal impacts on Criminal Justice Management from the text and continues with external impacts that may have an effect on all levels of a Criminal Justice organization. Methods and Models for problem solving will be introduced to provide a means for taking action and providing positive resolutions to both personal lives and the work place. Students will research and discuss relevant topics along with presenting their research to the class for discussion. Mission of Siena Heights University: The mission of Siena Heights, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all. 1

2 Expected Learning Outcomes for the Siena Heights University Criminal Justice Program: 1. Students will be able to link theory and practice. 2. Students will be able to critically evaluate the criminal justice system, identifying its strengths and weaknesses and understanding its operational and procedural process. 3. Students will be able to recognize the need for the development of a fair, just, ethical criminal justice system and provide examples of ethical issues that face the system and its personnel. 4. Students will be able to understand and develop explanations for a variety of human behaviors and seek solutions to social problems impacting the criminal justice field. 5. Students will be able to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the study of criminal justice, appreciating the role of the social sciences in the study of criminal justice. 6. Students will be able to understand a book report and some steps in the research process and why this is important to criminal justice. Course Objective: 1. To improve your awareness and identification process of issues or problems that require a response. 2. To give you the skills to analyze, respond, and evaluate your effectiveness with issues in criminal justice. 3. To improve your skills with both written and oral communication along with working effectively within a team. Instructional Method: This class will utilize lecture, discussion, presentations, research papers, and firsthand accounts for instructional tools. The expectation is that students will take a lead role in discussions and debate, during these times my role will be that of director to insure we stay on course towards the class objectives. Different perspectives and opinions are welcome and are important to the learning environment, we can disagree however will do so in a respectful manner. 2

3 Note: As this course covers Contemporary issues within criminal Justice, modifications to the syllabus may be made at any time. Students will be informed as soon as practical of any changes. Course Requirements: 1. Attendance: A major learning component of this course is discussion; therefore attending class to share your perspective is important. Attendance will be taken and points will be awarded for your commitment to the learning process. Each class you are at and participate in will be worth 25 points (16x25 = 400) 2. Readings and Discussions: All assigned readings and discussions are to be completed prior to each class date. This allows for quality and substance to your classroom participation. 3. Assignments: Any and all assignments are required to be completed; these will be papers, presentations, group projects and debates. 4. Research Paper: A research paper is required for this course; the topic will be approved by the instructor. This paper will be a minimum of 12 pages in length and demonstrate college level work. All papers must be typed, size 12, Times New Roman, double spaced with proper spelling and grammar, following APA format. Title and Works Cited pages required. 5. Presentations: Students will give three presentations that include either power point or an outline for their research paper. Additional presentations will be assigned in class. 6. Plagiarism and Cheating Policy: Neither plagiarism nor other forms of cheating will be tolerated. Your work should be your own. Any work used that is not your own should be cited properly. Documented proof of plagiarism will result in a grade of zero for the assignment and possibly the course. 7. Academic Accommodations: If a student is in need of an accommodation based on the impact of your disability, you should contact me to arrange an appointment. At the 3

4 appointment we can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs and explore potential accommodations. I rely on the Office for Students with Disabilities for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities, I encourage you to do so. Just a reminder, requests for accommodations are not retroactive. In accordance with University policy and the equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may be eligible for as a student with a disability. Please contact me for an appointment to discuss possible accommodations. Students must register with the Office for Students with Disabilities for disability verification and determination of reasonable accommodations. Requests for accommodations must be done in a timely manner and are not retroactive. 8. Cell Phones: Turn them off or place on vibrate. We will discuss this further on the first day of class. 9. Recording Devices: Since student comments and opinions will be based on the current discussion, no recording is allowed. 10. Food and Beverage: Food and beverage will be allowed in class within reason. We will discuss this further if necessary on the first day of class. 11. Grading Scale: There will be two additional assignments that involve papers and projects. These are worth 50 points each for 100 points. The research paper is worth 250 points. There will be three presentations associated with the research paper that are worth 50 points each for a total of 150 points. Attendance and participation is 400 points. Total points 900. A = B = C = D = Fail = Below 539 Class Schedule Fall 2014 Class #1: September 3rd (Introduction) Review syllabus and course requirements. Discuss Research paper Topics. Assigned readings Chapters 1 and 2 Contemporary Issues of Criminal Justice Management. 4

5 Class #2: September 10th Lecture and Discussion of chapters 1-2 Assigned readings Chapters 3-4 Contemporary Issues. Approve Research Paper Topics. Class #3: September 17 th Lecture and Discussion of chapters 3-4 Problem Solving Models. Assigned readings Chapters 5-6 Contemporary Issues. Finalize Research Paper Topics. Class #4: September 24 th Lecture and Discussion of chapters 5-6 Group project / problem solving. Presentation on topic, Why is it an issue and how is it Contemporary. Assigned readings Chapters 7-8 Contemporary Issues. Class #5: October 1 st Lecture and Discussion of chapters 7-8 Assigned readings Chapters 9-10 Contemporary Issues. Class #6: October 8 th Lecture and Discussion of chapters 9-10 First presentations of Research Paper Class #7: October 15 th First presentations of Research Paper Assigned readings Chapters 1-8 Character and Cops Class #8: October 22nd Lecture and Discussion of chapters 1-8 Topic Homeland Security Assigned readings Chapters 9-12 Character and Cops, additional to be provided Class #9: October 29th Lecture and Discussion of chapters 9-12 Character and Cops Topic The Patriot Act Assigned readings Chapters Character and Cops, additional to be provided 5

6 Class #10: November 5th Lecture and Discussion Chapters Topic Domestic Violence Assigned readings Chapters Character and Cops, additional to be provided Class #11: November 12th Lecture and Discussion Chapters Topic School Shootings Debate Topic assigned Assigned readings to be provided Class #12: November 19th Topic Open Carry (debate) Class #13: November 26th NO CLASS THANKSGIVING Class #14: December 3rd Final Research Paper Presentations Class #15: December 10 th Final Research Paper Presentations 6