Course Title: Principles of Criminal Justice Course Prefix: CRJS Course No.: 1133 Section No.: 10589

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1 Course Title: Principles of Criminal Justice Course Prefix: CRJS Course No.: 1133 Section No.: Department of Justice Studies College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology Instructor Name: Frank A. Rodriguez, MS Office Location: Don K. Clark Building, Room #320 Office Phone: Fax: Address: or U.S. Postal Service Address: Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519 Mail Stop 2600 Prairie View, TX Office Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 2:00-3:30 P.M., or by appointment Course Location: Don K. Clark Building, Rm. 341 Class Meeting Days & Tuesday & Thursday 12:30-1:50 P.M. Times: Catalog Credit 3 semester hours. This course is about the principles of philosophy and Description: history of criminal justice including the constitutional restraints imposed on criminal justice officials. Emphasis will be on the criminal justice officials role in prevention and control of crime and delinquency. Prerequisites: Co-requisites: Required Text: Entry to the Bachelors program Reid, S. T. (2008). Criminal justice. OH: CENGAGE Learning. ISBN-13: , ISBN- 10: Recommended Text/Readings: Access to Learning Resources: Lab, S. P. (2008).Criminal Justice: The Essentials. NY: Oxford University Press PVAMU Library: phone: (936) ; web: University Bookstore: phone: (936) ; web: Atomic dog online: atomicdog.com Writing Center Presentations, 1

2 Course Goals or Overview: The goal of this course is that the students will: 1. Summarize the main rationales and procedures governing the police and their detection and their investigation of crime. 2. Become familiar with the criminal justice system and the prosecution and sentencing of subjects. 3. Become familiar with the criminal justice system and rehabilitation of criminals. Course Outcomes/Objectives At the end of this course, the student will know: 1 The history, development, and operation of the criminal justice system. 2 The law and legal principles. 3 Law enforcement system and practices. 4 Key terms used in the criminal justice system. 5 The court and correction systems and practices 6 Basic statistical methods used in the system Class format This is a lecture-discussion course. Student attendance and class participation are essential to accomplishing the goals and objectives of this class; as well as successfully completing this course. Students are expected to have studied and be familiar with assigned material before coming to class. Feel free to ask questions at any time. Course Requirements & Evaluation Methods This course will utilize the following instruments to determine student grades and proficiency of the learning outcomes for the course. Reading should be done by the dates indicated. Your final grade is based on the average of exams, quizzes, essays, presentation and class attendance/participation. Note: 3 or more unexcused absences will result in a letter grade reduction. Exams (2) - There will be a mid-term exam and final exam, each worth 20% of your grade. The midterm exam will be cumulative and cover chapters 1-5 in the required text, in class discussion, and supplemental information provided in class. The mid-term will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and two short essays (no more than one page). The final exam will be cumulative and cover chapters 6-12 in the required text, in class discussion, and supplemental information provided in class. It will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and two short essays (no more than one page). Quizzes (5) You will be given a quiz consisting of the prior chapters covered. The average of your 5 scoring quizzes will make up 20% of your grade. Essays (5) - You will be assigned an essay for each part of the book. You will have a choice of two essay questions, of which, you will choose one to write a one page essay to be turned in at the beginning of class the day of your test over that chapter or part. The essay questions will be given when we start the chapter. Late essays will not be accepted. The average of the 5 essays will make up 20% of your grade. 2

3 Presentation Research Paper Each student will select a U.S. Supreme Court case that has impacted the criminal justice system. You will present the basics of this case (facts, ruling, how it relates to criminal justice/case significance) in a 5 minute presentation. The presentation will make up 20% of your final grade. Late assignments will not be accepted. Exam Policy Exams should be taken as scheduled. No makeup examinations will be allowed except under documented emergencies (See Student Handbook). Grading scale Mid Term Exam 20% Final Exam 20% Quizzes (5) average of 5 20% Essays (5) average of 5 20% Presentation 20% Class attendance and appropriate participation are also factored into final grade. Note: 3 or more unexcused absences will result in a letter grade reduction. The grading scale is: A = 90 to 100 B = 80 to 89 C = 70 to 79 D = 60 to 69 F = 59 and below Course Procedures Submission of Assignments: All assignments must be submitted at the beginning of the class period for which they are assigned. Project: is designed to supplement and reinforce materials. The research paper, 3-5 pages is to be double spaced, 12 point font, and Times New Romans typed. The paper should include a minimum of 5 references taken from scholarly journals located in the PVAMU John Coleman Library and no more than 3 references from the internet. The format and style of the paper will follow the American Psychological Association (APA) Manual. Students will be required to provide the findings of their research (hard copy) before quiz 5 on April 14 th. Formatting Documents: Microsoft Word is the standard word processing tool used at PVAMU. If you re using other word processors, be sure to use the save as tool and save the document in either the Microsoft Word, Rich- Text, or plain text format. Exam Policy Exams should be taken as scheduled. No makeup examinations will be allowed except under documented emergencies (See Student Handbook). 3

4 Professional Organizations and Journals Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice Criminal justice Journals Please note that the schedule serves as a guide only; modifications may occur. Academic Calendar Week One January 18, 2011 January 20 Week Two January 25 January 27 Chapter One Introductions, Syllabus Review, Text Overview; For next class, read pgs 1-27 Learning Objectives: List, define and explain the major punishment philosophies. Define unknown terms used in the chapter. Explain differences between civil law and criminal law. Research the different types of crime. How does the system classify crime? Discuss the meaning of the general elements of crime Chapter Two Crime, Offenders and Victims Required reading pgs September 8, Assembly all students should attend. Learning Objectives: Define unknown terms used in the chapter. List and evaluate the major sources of crime and victimization data. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of crime data? What do you know about age and crime? Essay Topic 1 due before quiz 1. Week Three February 1 Quiz 1 (from chapters one and two) Chapter Three The Emergence and Structure of the Police System Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Explain what is meant by decentralizing policing and explain the difference between private and public policing. Select one of the following: professional model of policing, problem-oriented approach to policing, community oriented policing, COMPSTAT. February 3 Last day to drop without academic record. Chapter Four Policing in Modern Society Required reading pgs Week Four February 8 Essay Topic 2 due before quiz 2. 4

5 Chapter Five Problems and Issues in Policing Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Explain and analyze the impact of police subcultures. Can police activities be controlled by police departments? Discuss police brutality in a recent example in your community or county. February 10 Quiz 2 (from chapters 3 5) Week Five February 15 February 17 Review Quiz 2 Chapter Six Criminal Court Systems Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Define basic legal terminology in the criminal courts. Explain the dual court system and say what happens at each level. What is the purpose of the U.S. Supreme Court and how does a case get before the court? What changes would you suggest in the operation of the Supreme Court in order to handle the increase in workload that it faces? Week Six February 22 February 24 Chapter Seven Prosecution, Defense and Pre-Trial Procedures. Required reading pgs Essay Topic 3 due before Quiz 3. Learning Objectives: Explain the organization and structure of the prosecutorial system. What is plea bargaining? Debate the moot Should plea bargaining be facilitated in a criminal court. What are the steps in the criminal justice process before trial? Quiz 3 (from chapters 6 7) Week Seven March 1 March 3 No Class American Criminal Justice Society: Toronto, Canada No Class American Criminal Justice Society: Toronto, Canada Week Eight March 8 March 10 Review for Mid-Term exam. Mid-Term Exam 5

6 Week Nine March 15 March 17 No Class Spring Break No Class Spring Break Week Ten March 22 March 24 Week Eleven March 29 Chapter Eight Trial, Sentencing and Appeal Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: List and explain the trial and appeal of a criminal case in the United States. List and define the major types of sentences. Describe the use of sentencing guidelines by state and the federal government. Chapter Nine The History and Structure Of Confinement Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Explain the reason for the emergence of institutions for confining offenders. Explain the differences between jails, prisons and community corrections. What are the differences between prisons for men and women? What are the causes and the possible effects of overcrowded jails and prisons? Chapter Ten Life in Prison Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Explain how the management styles in earl prison life differ from the present. Discuss the influence of gangs in prison. Comment on the problems of inmates who are elderly, physically or mentally challenged, and discuss the latest development in these areas. What are other issues in the prison system? Essay Topic 4 due before quiz 4. March 31 Quiz 4 (from chapters 8 10) Week Twelve April 5 Chapter Eleven Community Corrections, Probation, And Parole Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Explain the meanings of community corrections, probation and parole, and state the advantages/disadvantages of each approach. Explain the terms; furlough, work release, and prerelease programs. Explain Megan s Laws and state the constitutional issues raised by these laws. Explain the philosophical differences between juveniles and adult courts. 6

7 April 7 Chapter Twelve Juvenile Justice Systems Required reading pgs Learning Objectives: Discuss the procedural and philosophical differences between juvenile and adult criminal courts. List and explain the major U.S. supreme court cases regarding juveniles constitutional rights and assess the impact of the rights to counsel. Week Thirteen April 12 April 14 Week Fourteen April 19 April 21 Week Fifteen April 26 April 28 Library day Essay Topic 5 due before Quiz 5 Quiz 5 (from chapters 11 12) Presentations Presentations Presentations Presentations Week Sixteen May 3 Review for Final Exam May 5 University Rules and Procedures Disability statement (See Student Handbook) Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in class should register with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) early in the semester so that appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal laws, a student requesting special accommodations must provide documentation of their disability to the SSD coordinator. Academic misconduct (See Student Handbook) You are expected to practice academic honesty in every aspect of this course and all other courses. Make sure you are familiar with your Student Handbook, especially the section on academic misconduct. Students who engage in academic misconduct are subject to university disciplinary procedures. Forms of academic dishonesty: 1. Cheating: deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered; giving or receiving aid unauthorized by the instructor on assignments or examinations. 7

8 2. Academic misconduct: tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of a scheduled test. 3. Fabrication: use of invented information or falsified research. 4. Plagiarism: unacknowledged quotation and/or paraphrase of someone else s words, ideas, or data as one s own in work submitted for credit. Failure to identify information or essays from the Internet and submitting them as one s own work also constitutes plagiarism. Nonacademic misconduct (See Student Handbook) The university respects the rights of instructors to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires campus conditions that do not impede their exercise. Campus behavior that interferes with either (1) the instructor s ability to conduct the class, (2) the inability of other students to profit from the instructional program, or (3) campus behavior that interferes with the rights of others will not be tolerated. An individual engaging in such disruptive behavior may be subject to disciplinary action. Such incidents will be adjudicated by the Dean of Students under nonacademic procedures. Sexual misconduct (See Student Handbook) Sexual harassment of students and employers at Prairie View A&M University is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any member of the university community violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Attendance Policy Prairie View A&M University requires regular class attendance. Excessive absences will result in lowered grades. Excessive absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, may result in a student s course grade being reduced or in assignment of a grade of F. Absences are accumulated beginning with the first day of class. Student Academic Appeals Process Authority and responsibility for assigning grades to students rests with the faculty. However, in those instances where students believe that miscommunication, errors, or unfairness of any kind may have adversely affected the instructor's assessment of their academic performance, the student has a right to appeal by the procedure listed in the Undergraduate Catalog and by doing so within thirty days of receiving the grade or experiencing any other problematic academic event that prompted the complaint. Technical Support: Students should call the Prairie View A&M University Helpdesk at for technical issues with accessing your online course. The helpdesk is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. For other technical questions regarding your online course, call the Office of Distance Learning at or Communication Expectations and Standards: All s or discussion postings will receive a response from the instructor within 48 hours. You can send anytime that is convenient to you, but I check my messages continuously during the day throughout the work-week (Monday through Friday). I will respond to messages during the work-week by the close of business (5:00 pm) on the day following my receipt of them. s that I receive on Friday will be responded to by the close of business on the following Monday.. 8