Course Title: Minorities and the Criminal Justice System Course Prefix: CRJS Course No.: 3933 Section No.: PO1 Department of Justice Studies College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology Instructor Name: Martha A. Gallien, PhD. Office Location: Don K. Clark Building Office Phone: 936.261.5234 Fax: 936.261.5249 Email Address: mmgallien@pvamu.edu U.S. Postal Service Address: Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519 Mail Stop 2600 Prairie View, TX 77446 Office Hours: 8:55-9:55 a.m. M/W/F Virtual Office Hours: None Course Location: Don K. Clark Building, Room 240 Class Meeting Days & Times: MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m. Catalog Description: Minorities and the Criminal Justice System. An analysis of problems frequently encountered by minorities in the American justice system. This includes policeminority confrontations, an examination of possible bias throughout various levels of the justice system and the contributions of minority criminal justice practitioners, scholars, and activists to the development of the field of criminal justice. Prerequisites: Co-requisites: Required Text: Completion of THEA requirements Walker, S., Spohn, C., and Delone, M. (2012). The Color of Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and Crime in America. 5 th ed. CA: Wadsworth Abu-Jamal, M. (1995). Live from Death Row. Publisher: Addison-Wesley. Recommended Text/Readings: Access to Learning Resources: Bureau of Justice Statistics http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/ Easy Access to Juvenile Court Statistics http://ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezajcs/ PVAMU Library: phone: (936) 261-1500; web: http://www.tamu.edu/pvamu/library/ University Bookstore: phone: (936) 261-1990; web: https://www.bkstr.com/home/10001-10734-1?demokey=d Course Goals or Overview: The goal of this course is to analyze problems encountered by minorities in the criminal justice system. Course Outcomes/Objectives At the end of this course, the student will 1 Be able to analyze the effects of social, political, economic, cultural, and diplomatic focus on the area under study; 2 Be able to analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems; 3 4 Be able to discuss criminal justice policies with an employee of the criminal justice system; Demonstrate the ability to write a formal paper, using correct APA format and good grammar and spelling, which focuses on race, crime, and ethnicity from the viewpoint of a criminal justice official or law enforcement officer; 5 Define the significant concepts and terminology contained in this course; 6 Be able to think for oneself by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy; 1
7 Identify significant events in the history, development, and operation of the criminal justice system. Course Requirements & Evaluation Methods This course will utilize the following instruments to determine student grades and proficiency of the learning outcomes for the course. Exams written test and quizzes designed to measure knowledge of presented course material Exercises written assignments covering each textbook chapter Papers two formal papers, using correct APA format/style and good grammar/spelling, designed to supplement and reinforce course material Class Participation daily attendance and participation in class discussions Grading Matrix Instrument Value (points or percentages) Total Tests 2 @ 50 points each 100 Participation: discussion 20 @ 5 or 10 points each 100 questions, a partial chapter review, attendance, book summaries Book Report 100 points 100 Final Exam 100 points 100 Total: 400 Grade Determination: A = 400 360pts; B = 359 320pts; C = 319 280pts; D = 279 240pts; F = 239pts or below Course Procedures Submission of Assignments: The student is expected to bring a hard copy of his/her report to the classroom at the class period when it is due. All pages should be stapled or paper-clipped together. No loose pages will be accepted. (Any assignment emailed to the instructor must be in Word.doc format. Otherwise, the paper cannot be opened and read.) The extra credit assignments and the notes taken for the term paper (Book Report) may be hand written. The term paper must be typed according to good APA format. Further instructions on preparation of the Book Report will be given out at a later date. Late papers: If the term paper is turned in after the class period when it is due, the paper will loose 20 points for being late. Twenty-four hours after the class period when the paper was due, the grade on the paper will be a zero. The paper should NOT be emailed to the instructor unless prior approval is given by the instructor to do so except under emergency circumstances. The student must be able to prove that there was an emergency situation requiring the emailing of the paper. 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 The Final Exam and 2 tests should be taken as scheduled. No makeup examinations will be allowed except under 2
documented emergencies (See Student Handbook). 16 WEEK CALENDAR Date Week 1 Mon, Aug 25 Wed, Aug 27 * Introduction & overview of course. * Review the syllabus. * Look at the textbook. Activities and Assignment Homework: Read the syllabus. You will have several questions next class period from the syllabus, which will be extra credit on Test 1. * 2 questions from the syllabus. * Discuss procedure for class activities ( participation ) such as chapter reviews, extra credit, and current events. * Discuss the details of the grading procedure. Homework: order the outside reading; bring copy of order receipt to class next Friday (a week) for a participation grade; read chapter 1 (pp. 1-32); work on discussion questions for chapter 1; 4 students prepare class notes for Friday s class. Fri, Aug 29 * Begin discussion of chapter 1, Race, Ethnicity, and Crime, pp. 1-32. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 1. Week 2 Mon, Sept 1 Wed, Sept 3 Homework: order the outside reading; bring copy of order receipt to class next class meeting for a participation grade; finish reading chapter 1; turn in discussion questions for chapter 1 at next class meeting (one week). 4 students prepare class notes to present in next Friday s class over chapter 2 (pp. 39-86). LABOR DAY holiday (GENERAL STUDENT ASSEMBLY TODAY ALL STUDENTS ATTEND at 10 a.m.) Fri, Sept 5 * Turn in answers to discussion questions, chapter 1. * Turn in receipt for ordering of extra reading. * Finish discussion of chapter 1. * Begin discussion of chapter 2, Victims and Offenders, pp. 39-86. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 2. Week 3 Mon, Sept 8 Homework: read chapter 2 (pp. 39-86); work on discussion questions, ch. 2.; review power point notes over ch. 2; turn in discussion questions for chapter 2 at next class meeting. * Finish discussing chapter 2. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 2. * Brief description of the term paper (Book Report). Homework: read chapter 3 (pp. 97-123); 4 students prepare class notes for Wednesday s class over ch. 3; work on discussion questions, ch. 3. Wed, Sept 10 * Begin discussion of chapter 3, Race, Ethnicity, Social Structure, and Crime, pp. 97-123. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 3. Homework: turn in discussion questions for chapter 3 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 3. Fri, Sept 12 * Finish discussing chapter 3. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 3. Homework: read in extra book; read chapter 4 (pp. 129-181); 4 students prepare class notes for Monday s class over ch. 4; work on discussion questions, Ch 4. 3
Week 4 Mon, Sept 15 * Begin discussion of chapter 4, Justice on the Street? pp. 129-181. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 4. Homework: turn in discussion questions for chapter 4 in one week (next Monday). Study for Test #1, which is on Friday. Extra credit assignment #1 is due tomorrow. Do NOT email this to instructor. Wed, Sept 17 * Turn in extra credit assignment #1. * Review for test * Discuss in detail the Book Report. Homework: study for Test #1 (Friday) (Chapters 1-3) Fri, Sept 19 * TEST 1 (covers chapters 1-3). Week 5 Mon, Sept 22 Homework: read in extra book; review power point notes over ch. 4; turn in discussion questions for chapter 4 at next class meeting. * Finish discussing chapter 4. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 4. Homework: read chapter 5 (pp. 195-231); 4 students prepare class notes for Wednesday s class over ch. 5; work on discussion questions, Ch 5. Wed, Sept 24 * Begin discussion of chapter 5, The Courts, pp. 195-231. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 5. Homework: read in extra book (summary #1 is due on Wed, Oct 8 10 days away); turn in discussion questions for chapter 5 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 5. Fri, Sept 26 * Finish discussing chapter 5. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 5. Week 6 Mon, Sept 29 Homework: read chapter 6 (pp. 241-273.); 4 students prepare class notes for Monday s class over ch. 6; work on discussion questions, Ch 6. * Begin discussion of chapter 6, Justice on the Bench? pp. 241-273. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 6. Homework: read in extra book (summary #1 is due on Wed, Oct 8 10 days away); turn in discussion questions for chapter 6 at next class meeting. Wed, Oct 1 * Finish discussing chapter 6. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 6. Homework: Study for Test #2, which is on Monday. Extra credit assignment #2 is due at next class meeting. Do NOT email this to instructor. Fri, Oct 3 * Turn in extra credit assignment #2. * Review for test * Discuss in detail the Book Report. Homework: study for Test #2 (Monday) (Chapters 4-6) Week 7 * TEST 2 (covers chapters 4-6). Mon, Oct 6 Homework: Turn in summary #1 on Wednesday over the extra reading; read chapter 7 (pp. 281-332); 4 students prepare class notes for Wednesday s class over ch. 7; work on discussion questions, Ch 7. Wed, Oct 8 * Begin discussion of chapter 7, Race and Sentencing, pp. 281-332. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 7. Homework: read in extra book; turn in discussion questions for chapter 7 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 7. You will be turning in (next week) your notes gathered, so far, 4
for your Book Report. Fri, Oct 10 * Finish discussing chapter 7. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 7. Week 8 Mon, Oct 13 Homework: read in extra book; read chapter 8 (pp. 345-391); 4 students prepare class notes for Monday s class over ch. 8; work on discussion questions, Ch 8; turn in (on Monday) your notes gathered so far, for the Book Report. * Turn in notes #1 over Book Report. * Begin discussion of chapter 8, The Color of Death, pp. 345-391. * 4 students present their notes over chapter 8. Homework: read in extra book; turn in discussion questions for chapter 8 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 8. Wed, Oct 15 * Finish discussing chapter 8. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 8. Homework: read in extra book; read chapter 9 (pp. 403-436); 4 students prepare class notes for Friday s class over ch. 9; work on discussion questions, Ch 9. Fri, Oct 17 * Begin discussion of chapter 9, Corrections in America, pp. 403-436. * 4 students present notes over chapter 9. Week 9 Mon, Oct 20 Wed, Oct 22 Fri, Oct 24 Week 10 Mon, Oct 27 Homework: read in extra book; turn in discussion questions for chapter 9 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 9. * Finish discussing chapter 9. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 9. Homework: read in extra book; read chapter 10 (pp. 443-482); 4 students prepare class notes for Friday s class over ch. 10; work on discussion questions, Ch 10. * Discuss APA style of writing. Homework: read in extra book (summary #2 is due on Wed, Nov 5). * Review common grammar errors. Homework: read in extra book (summary #2 is due on Wed, Nov 5). * Begin discussion of chapter 10, Minority Youth and Crime, pp. 443-482. * 4 students present notes over chapter 10. Homework: read in extra book; turn in discussion questions for chapter 10 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 10. Wed, Oct 29 * Finish discussing chapter 10. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 10. Fri, Oct 31 Week 11 Mon, Nov 3 Homework: read in extra book; read chapter 11; 2 students prepare class notes for Friday s class over ch. 11; work on discussion questions, Ch 11. * Begin discussion of chapter 11, The Color of Justice. * 2 students present notes over chapter 11. Homework: read in extra book (summary #2 is due on Wed, Nov 5); turn in discussion questions for chapter 11 at next class meeting; review power point notes over ch. 11. Notes #2 over your Book Report are due next week. * Finish discussing chapter 11. * Turn in answers to discussion questions, ch. 11. Homework: read in extra book (summary #2 is due on Wednesday). 5
Wed, Nov 5 Fri, Nov 7 Week 12 Mon, Nov 10 * Turn in Summary #2 over extra reading. Homework: Prepare notes #2 for your Book Report. * Turn in your notes #2 over your Book Report. Homework: Work on a rough draft of your paper. Bring your rough draft of your Book Report to the classroom on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, as follows. Last name begins with: A-G Bring your paper to class on Monday H-N Bring your paper to class on Wednesday O-Z Bring your paper to class on Friday A-G: Bring your rough draft to the classroom. All other students, work on your Book Report. Wed, Nov 12 Fri, Nov 14 Week 13 Mon, Nov 17 Wed, Nov 19 H-N: Bring your rough draft to the classroom. All other students, work on your Book Report. O-Z: Bring your rough draft to the classroom. All other students, work on your Book Report. * Review APA style & grammar rules. Homework: work on Book Report (due in 1 week, on Mon, Nov 24). * Work on Book Report. * Discuss format of final exam and review which content items will be covered (chapters 7-11 only). Fri, Nov 21 * Assign extra credit #3. * Student conferences, last name begins with A-L * Book report is due on Monday, Nov 24. Do NOT email the paper to instructor. Week 14 Mon, Nov 24 Wed, Nov 26 Fri, Nov 28 * Student conferences, last name begins with M-W * Turn in Book Report - Submit (upload) your Book Report to Taskstream and then turn in the hard copy at the classroom. * Work on extra credit #3. It is due on Monday. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Week 15 Turn in extra credit assignment #3 at the classroom. Do NOT email this assignment to instructor. Mon, Dec 1 Wed, Dec 3 Final Exam, covers textbook chapters 7-11 The instructor reserves the right to adjust, change, or amend the syllabus as needed. 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): 6
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. 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 936-261-2525 for technical issues with accessing your course website. The helpdesk is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 7