CRIJ-1301-IN Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus

Transcription

1 CRIJ-1301-IN Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus INSTRUCTOR: Craig Fos OFFICE: N-125 PHONE: OFFICE HOURS: As posted at N-125 A. COURSE DESCRIPTION This is a 3 credits hour course which provides the student an overview of the history and current state of the criminal justice system in America. B. COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES To examine develop an understanding of the basic organization of each of the major elements of the Criminal Justice System. To create an awareness of the challenges of the law enforcement, judiciary and corrections elements in today's world. To examine and understand the operations of the various systems. To examine and understand of the pathway which an individual follows from arrest, through the courts, and to the corrections system. C. PRE-REQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES None D. TEXTBOOK INFORMATION For information on the textbook and other course materials, including details about how to order your book online and have it delivered to you, visit the ACC College Store website. E. COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR The preferred method of communicating with your instructor is by as this provides a written document of the communication. You may me at cfos@alvincollege.edu. Please include the course title and section in your subject line. I frequently check my and will respond as soon as possible. You may also call me at Please leave your first and last name, a phone number where I can contact you and explain what you need to discuss with me. I will normally respond within 24 hours Monday-Thursday and by the next business day following a Friday-Sunday. F. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281) Instructors are not able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed. 1

2 G. CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is considered very important. Being prepared for class is considered an ongoing assignment. For daytime 16-week classes, any student absent more than four (4) classes will have ten (10) points deducted from their participation grade for each subsequent absence. Students missing more than ten (10) classes will not receive a passing grade in the class. For daytime 11-week classes, any student absent more than three (3) classes will have ten (10) points deducted from their participation grade for each subsequent absence. Students missing more than seven (7) classes will not receive a passing grade in the class. For evening classes, any student absent more than two (2) classes will have twenty (20) points deducted from their participation grade for each subsequent absence. Students missing more than five (5) classes will not receive a passing grade in the class. Keep in mind, withdrawal from class may affect enrollment in other courses, financial aid, and/or Veteran s benefits. It should be noted that ceasing to attend class does not terminate enrollment. Therefore, a student who ceases to attend class without officially withdrawing from that class may receive a failing grade. H. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS None required I. COURSE SCHEDULE The course schedule will be distributed during the first week of class which may include additional instructions to this syllabus. J. COURSE OUTLINE Introduction Chap 1 Crime and Justice in America Chap 2 Victimization and Criminal Behavior Chap 3 The Criminal Justice System. Chap 4 Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law. Chap 5 Police. Chap 6 Police Officers and Law Enforcement Operations. Chap 7 Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges. Chap 8 Police and Constitutional Law. Chap 9 Courts and Pretrial Processes. Chap 10 Prosecution and Defense. Chap 11 Disclosing and Suppressing Evidence Chap 12 Punishment and Sentencing. Chap 13 Corrections. Chap 14 Community Corrections: Probation/Intermediate Sanctions. Chap 15 Incarceration and Prison Society Chap 16 Reentry into the Community 2

3 K. GRADING SUMMARY Assignment Percent of Grade Percent Grade Major Test (3) 45% % A Final 20% 80 89% B Research Paper / Presentation 10% 70 79% C Quizzes 15% 60 69% D Participation/Discussion 10% < 60% F Your grade is based on the grade you received on all course assignments and activities. Always notify your instructor if you are concerned with your grades or your status in the class. I...Incomplete. No Incompletes or I grades will be given except for extreme circumstances. If an I grade is assigned and the course work is not completed by the pre-arranged time limit, this grade will convert to an F. W.Withdrawal. It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current course withdrawal information can be found in the online or printed version of the ACC Schedule for this semester. Students who file withdrawal requests by the published deadline and have not exceeded the withdrawal maximum will receive a grade of W. L. LATE COURSE WORK POLICY If assignments are late, ten percent will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. A second late assignment will be given a grade of zero. M. EXAM POLICY Three major exams and a final will be given utilizing Blackboard during this course. All exams are will only be given during the allotted time unless special arrangements are made in advance of the test. Each exam is multiple choice or true false. The final exam is comprehensive. There will be weekly quizzes covering the assigned reading for the week. The quizzes will be due by midnight central time on Tuesday of each week. There will be no make-up quizzes. N. Research Paper / Presentation Students will be required to complete a 1200 to 1500 word research paper on an approved topic. Students will also be required to complete a PowerPoint style presentation of their paper and to present it to the class. The topics and requirements for the paper will be posted during the first week of class. 3

4 O. Participation/Discussion Students will be expected to participate during class. This includes responding to the instructor s questions, actively participating in group discussions and debates, and making presentations to the class. Sleeping, working on outside material, and using digital media during class will have a negative impact on the student s participation grade. P. CLASSROOM PROTOCOL It is the right of each student to participate in his or her learning, and it is the responsibility of each student to not interfere with the learning of other students. It is the expectation of the college that each student assumes the responsibility to follow college policies and procedures governing campus and classroom/online classroom conduct. This information is published in the ACC Student Handbook Q. DISCLAIMER The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as needed and will notify the students of any changes using the ACC or MyBlackboard or announcements. This document is not a contract and may be changed during the semester by giving notice during any regular class period. While lecturing or responding to questions the instructor is in no way offering or conferring legal advice. See Student Handbook for additional instructions. R. ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES: Americans with Disabilities Act ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281) Instructors are not able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed. Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Letting someone know The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving community safety. College faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate safety concerns to the BIT team by , bitcore@alvincollege.edu or through an electronic reporting option located on the BIT page of the college website. The ACC Library is an excellent source for research and writing help. Quiet rooms are available for studying and doing class work. For more information, visit the ACC Library Website or call The ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab, located upstairs in building A, provides students with a variety of services including tutoring (math, writing, and other disciplines); computers and printers; a testing facility; and tables/carrels. Call or visit the ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab Website for more information. MyBlackboard Support for MYBlackboard can be obtained by completing the ONLINE SUPPORT FORM. 4

5 WEBACCESS, Passwords or ACC Computer Lab Information- -Help Desk Website or contact the IT Dept. Help Desk at S. ACADEMIC HONESTY/PLAGIARISM Evidence of plagiarism will be graded F. The Academic Honesty code requires that students produce their own work. Passing of the ideas of others as one s own material is prohibited. You must credit the source. Cheating, plagiarism, and collusion are forms of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism can be defined as the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one's own written work offered for credit. In addition, collusion can be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing work for credit. Possible punishments are a grade of 0' or F on the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College." Students are sometimes confused about what constitutes plagiarism. Please consult with your instructor if you have any concerns or questions. The following website, is from Purdue University and is an excellent resource to determine what constitutes plagiarism. Students may review the information in this web site in addition to checking ACC policies. The web site teaches how to avoid plagiarism and how to properly document bibliographical sources. CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At the heart of this endeavor, lie the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom from lies and fraud. Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community College are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom. Incidents of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and students guilty of such conduct are subject to severe disciplinary measures. 5