CRJ 105 Sections 004, 005 WF 10:00-10:50, Kenan Hall 1111 Spring 2008

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1 CRJ 105 Sections 004, 005 WF 10:00-10:50, Kenan Hall 1111 Spring 2008 Instructor Office Office Hours Office Phone Website Dr. Mike Maume, Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminal Justice SBS 214-G W 2-4, or by appointment maume@uncw.edu This is a web-enhanced course. The login instructions for the companion website to this course are available via Course Description: The criminal justice system in the United States is one of the most fascinating social systems of the modern and post-modern eras. One need only turn on the television or read a newspaper to know that we are continually exposed to crime and its consequences. Moreover, it is quite likely that many of you have had or will have some direct exposure to crime or criminal justice (e.g., as a victim, offender, witness, juror, or employee). In this course, we will examine the system both as a whole and as a composite of its three main components: police, courts, and corrections. Although this is intended to be a survey course, we will analyze some issues of the criminal justice system at greater depth than others. In the early weeks of the semester, we will discuss the nature and extent of crime, the development of the criminal justice system, and the sociological concepts that illustrate and reveal the reasons for this development. Over the remainder of our time together, we will read about and discuss the provocative and at times controversial social issues that face those institutions charged with controlling crime and criminals. In the end, my hope is not only that you will learn more about criminal justice, but also that you will be prepared to respond analytically and critically to many questions regarding crime and the criminal justice system. Objectives: Texts: 1 Understand the nature and extent of crime in the U.S., the legal and sociological underpinnings of criminal justice, and the structures and processes of American criminal justice systems. 2 Analyze and synthesize course materials to describe and critically assess criminal justice systems. 3 Work in a course environment that calls for independent and self-motivated learning. 4 Excel as active learners, both in face-to-face and online course environments. Cole, G.F. and C.E. Smith Criminal Justice in America. Fifth Ed. Thomson. Note: There will be other reading assignments associated with the online discussion assignment (ECommunication project) and internet exercises. These reading materials will be made available through the course website. A Note on Information Technology: This is a web-enhanced course, which means that it relies heavily on information technology. As such, you will be required throughout the course to access and use the course web site (powered by WebCT Vista software). For technical requirements, see:

2 Course Requirements: CRJ 105, Spr '08 2 i) Attendance: You are expected to attend and be prepared for each class session, but will not be graded on your attendance. While the overlap between class lectures and the required reading will be moderate, the information provided in class will often expand on, or be supplementary to, reading assignments. Therefore, it is important for you to take notes in class. If you must miss a class, you are responsible for getting notes from a classmate. As a rule, my lecture notes are not available to copy. However, you may come in to my office to ask questions about any lecture notes you have. In a typical week, you will physically attend class on Wednesdays and Fridays only; therefore, only two unexcused absences are allowed. The first part of each week will be devoted to preparing for these class sessions, which will emphasize class discussion of the week s material. A Typical Week Monday Wednesday Friday No classroom meeting. By Tuesday students should have scanned the unit content on the website, completed the week s reading assignment and taken the required online quiz. In the classroom, the instructor provides an overview of the week s topic, including class lecture material. Students will come to class prepared to discuss issues raised by the reading assignment and any online discussion. Lecture is continued if necessary, but the class should continue discussion of the week s topic. ii) Quizzes (7% of course grade) Beginning with the 2 nd week of classes, students will take a quiz in each content unit (see the Course Schedule below for a listing of the units). Students will have to complete the quizzes by Tuesday of the week we re covering a particular unit; however, you should not take the quiz until you have completed the reading assignment for the unit. Quizzes contain objective items (multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank) that are based entirely on information in the textbook reading assignment. They will typically contain 10 questions, and will have a time limit within which, after it has been started, the quiz must be completed (e.g., 15 minutes). All quizzes will be available on the course website (through the Quizzes link on the home page). Students will receive grades for these quizzes immediately upon their completion. You may take a particular unit quiz up to three times, with the highest grade being counted should attempt a quiz more than once. iii) Minute Papers: (6% of course grade) Occasionally, I will ask the class to write "Minute Papers." These papers are short essays designed to help students organize their thoughts on a given topic. They are worth 2 points each and are graded on a credit/no credit basis. Specifically, if you attend class on a day that a minute paper is assigned and write something that is intelligible and relevant to the question asked, you get credit. There will be 11 minute papers assigned randomly throughout the semester. Of these 11 papers, only 10 will be counted toward your final grade you get one "freebie!" You will not be allowed to make up these papers without a university excuse! iv) Examinations: (58% of course grade) There will be four exams worth 50 points each three during the semester and a final. These exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer items the final exam will not be comprehensive. Exam dates are listed in the course calendar below. Exams may only be missed for excusable and documented reasons: death (your own or that of an immediate family member), severe illness, or incarceration. In lieu of these extreme circumstances, in order to arrange a make-up exam you MUST contact me no later than 48 hours prior to the regularly scheduled exam.

3 3 If you wish to contest your exam grades, you must submit a written explanation or contact me via . Written explanations should include the exam question (i.e., the #) you wish to take issue with and a concise statement about what you feel is wrong with the question or my interpretation of your answer. I will change your grade if the rhetorical force of your explanation persuades me, but for no other reason. During office hours I will give priority to students seeking to discuss and clarify issues other than grades. v) ECommunication Project (early February to late March): (15% of course grade) Objectives: 1) Develop students abilities to think critically about criminal justice issues in a comparative context. 2) Develop students abilities to communicate what they have learned to others, and elicit the knowledge of other students. This class has been selected to participate in an exciting learning experience this semester. Students from the U.S. will engage in discussion of crime and criminal justice issues with college students in the United Kingdom in something that is called an E-Communication Project. Essentially, you will log on to another WebCT site (maintained at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) to discuss pre-determined topics over the duration of the project. The purpose of this project is to enable students to interpret and understand contemporary policy and popular concerns around crime, not only from their own national perspective but also through an international dimension, and [to] enhance and develop students independent learning skills. I will make available further information on this project early in the semester. Postings will be graded as described in the Student Handbook for the project (linked from the Communications section of the course website, beginning with the 2 nd week of classes). You will be required to post at least twice per week to the E-Communication discussion board over the 6-week duration of the project (except during the week of Spring Break). At the end of the project, you will be required to write a reflective paper (described below) on your experience in the project. Students are required to submit copies of TWO messages they have contributed to their E-Communication discussion group, along with a 500 word reflective assessment of their involvement in the overall project. Students should consider any difficulties encountered, how they were solved and the skills that have been developed. Paper length: 500 words plus two attached postings Due date: April 2, 10 am vi) Internet Exercises (15% of course grade) Twice during the semester you will have a web-based assignment that requires some independent research on a topic in criminal justice. Each of these assignments will require a short (2 to 3 page) write-up. These assignments will be made available on the course website (in the Resources section) as due dates approach. Paper length: 500 words Due dates: Mar. 28, 10 am & Apr. 23, 10 am Grading: Requirement Number x Weight = Points Quizzes Minute Papers Exams ECommunication Internet Exercises Grade points

4 4 Given the formula above, there are 344 possible points in the course. I will divide the number of accumulated points you have earned throughout the semester by 344 to obtain a percentage. This percentage determines your final grade. A % B 83-86% C 73-76% D 63-66% A % B % C % D % B % C % D % F < 60% Course Schedule: (Weeks shaded in red indicate the period spent on the ECommunication Project) In-class Dates W 1-9 F 1-11 Units Criminal Justice and Crime in America 1. Introductions; Understanding the Criminal Justice System(s) * Bring hard copy of this syllabus with you to class on Fri Textbook Reading Ch. 1 W 1-16 F Crime in the United States Ch. 2 W 1-23 F 1-25 W 1-30 F What and How: The Criminal Law M 1-21: MLK Holiday 3. cont.; Exam 1 on Friday 2-1 Ch. 3 Police W 2-6 F 2-8 W 2-13 F 2-15 W 2-20 F 2-22 W 2-27 F Law Enforcement: A Social History Ch Policing: Issues and Trends Ch In the Name of the Law: Police Procedure Ch cont.; Exam 2 on Friday SPRING BREAK Courts W 3-12 F Next Case! The Organization of Courts Ch. 8 W Getting Justice: Pleas and Trials Ch. 9 Good Friday State Holiday 3-20 & 3-21 W 3-26 F The Eye for a High: Sentencing and Punishment Internet Exercise #1 due 3-28 Ch. 10

5 5 Corrections W 4-2 F 4-4 W 4-9 F 4-11 W 4-16 F 4-18 Exam 3 on Fri Jails and Prisons: A Growing Population; no class F 4-11 Ch Newjacks and Old Heads: Life in Jails and Prisons Ch. 13 W 4-23 F If You Build It, They Will Come Back: Prisoner Reentry; Internet Exercise #2 due 4-23 FINAL EXAM Mon. May 5, 9:00 am Ch. 14 Syllabus Changes: I reserve the right to change any part of this syllabus and/or the course requirements. Announcements will be made in class concerning any changes. These changes will be made in advance of any examination, and will generally be made to the benefit of the class as a whole. Course Expectations: What you may expect of me: A sincere effort to help you learn the course material. I will spend enough time and effort in class preparation to make the material as understandable and as interesting as I possibly can. In other words, I will do my homework. Accessibility: I will be available to you outside of class should you desire help, clarification, etc. Although I may be busy at the time you initially approach me, I will gladly set a time and place to meet with you. Attention/Courtesy: When you are speaking, you will have my undivided attention. Also, I will never ridicule you or express disagreement with you in an impolite fashion. Fairness: Your grade will be based upon what I detect that you have learned. It will not be based upon any purely personal consideration or by whether you and I agree about an issue. I will explain my reasoning in evaluating your progress, but I will not negotiate grades. Honesty: When I m telling you the facts as research studies reveal them, I will do so as accurately as I m able. When expressing my personal opinion, I won t pass it off as the one and only objective truth. And when I don t know the answer to your question, I ll say so. What I will expect of you: A sincere effort to learn the course material. Careful and complete reading of the assignments. Attention/Courtesy: Just as I will not be inattentive or impolite to you, I will not tolerate inattention or rudeness either to me or to other students. When I am speaking to you and to the rest of the class, I expect to have your undivided attention. Although I prefer a comfortable and informal atmosphere in my courses, I will expect you to make every effort to arrive for class on time, and I expect you to remain in the classroom throughout the class period (unless, of course, you are feeling ill). It is distracting to me and to others when a student steps out for a drink of water, to use the restroom, etc. Take care of these things before class begins. I tolerate food and drink, provided they are not excessive; cell phones and pagers should be turned off during class. Promptness: You should be in class on time except when delayed by an emergency, and you should comply with all due dates.

6 6 Honesty: Assignments that borrow from others without proper acknowledgment and citation will result in a minimum grade of F on the assignment, and at maximum will result in a grade of F in the course and a referral to the Dean of Students. Thus, you should make every effort to familiarize yourself with the various forms of misconduct and dishonesty listed in the Academic Honor Code: ignorance is not an excuse! If you are not clear about what constitutes plagiarism after reading the Code, see Earl Babbie's web page (www1.chapman.edu/wilkinson/socsci/sociology/faculty/babbie/plag00.html) for an illustration. Other Accommodations: Any student with a disability requiring accommodations in this course is encouraged to contact me. Additionally, students will need to contact Disability Services in Westside Hall. UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at , Campus Police at , or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit Finally Your questions and comments are welcome. I look forward to many interesting and challenging discussions-both in and out of class.