Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course Information

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Course

CRIJ-1301-001 Introduction to Criminal Justice

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Criminal Justice A Brief Introduction, Frank Schmalleger 10th Edition, ISBN# 978-0-13-300979-8

Supplies

Four (4) Scantrons with essay space booklets are required for exams. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the Scantron portion. Five (5) Scantrons are required for quizzes.

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives

1.Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system.

2.Explain the nature and extent of crime in America.

3.Analyze the impact and consequences of crime.

4.Evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system.

5.Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Behavioral Expectations (Rules of the Classroom)

1.       Be in class on time, stay until the class is over.

2.       All cell phones, or other electronic communications devices, except laptops used solely for class note taking/presentations, are to be turned off.

4.       Sleeping in class is unacceptable and will result in loss of participation points.

5.       Come to class prepared.

6.       Common respect and courtesy toward the instructor and fellow students is required. You are not required to agree with the ideas or opinions of others but you are required to show respect to any person voicing them.

7.       Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero, removal from class and referral to the college administration.

8.       Most importantly, come prepared to ask questions and offer ideas.

9.       Any problems with the material or class should be brought to the instructor’s attention as soon as possible.

Grading Criteria

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three (3) major exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester.  
The exam will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. In addition to the True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, there will be an essay/short answer section.  
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. There will be no essay/short answer section on the final exam.

Term Paper:
Each student will turn in a 3 -5 page term paper over a specific topic that the student will sign up for on the first day of class. If the student is not present the first day of class a topic will be chosen at random for the student. An outline of the paper will be due October 6^th, 2014. The outline, which will be a percentage of the final term paper grade, will give an overview of the paper. The paper is due October 20^th, 2014; your graded outline must be turned in with your term paper. See attached guidelines for term paper and outline requirements. 

Homework:

All About Me Paper:

Each student will turn in a 1-2 page paper giving a brief overview of their life and what they hope to accomplish with their degree. The paper is due September 3, 2014. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.

Each student will turn in 3 homework assignments throughout the semester. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class. You must be in class to turn in your homework. I will not accept homework via email unless I have approved before the day the homework is due.

Quizzes:
Each student is responsible for reading and keeping up with the material. To ensure students are reading, 5 quizzes will be given at random during the semester. 

Participation:
Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions.  You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

Grading Scheme:
Exam’s                        40%
Term Paper                  15%
Term Paper Outline         5%

Participation                10%
Quizzes                      10%
Homework                   20%
Total                           100%

A = 100%-90%

B = 89%-80%
C = 79%-70%
D = 69%-60%

F = 59% and below
 

Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS or QUIZZES CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. If an exam is missed, the grade will be replaced with the score you make on the final exam. This policy applies to one exam only. If you miss more than one exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the other missed exams. If you do not miss any exam during the semester, the grade on the mandatory final exam, will replace the lowest major exam grade. 

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required. A student is allowed one absence. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade.

If you arrive to class late, it is your responsibility to make sure I’ve marked you present, otherwise the absence will stand.

Calendar

Additional Information

Term Paper Guidelines
Purpose –
To gain a better knowledge of various careers in the Criminal Justice field. Give a history of your topic and any relevant information to explain your topic.

Subject –
The paper can be written over a Criminal Justice career from a predetermined list which you choose from on the first day of class.

Outline-
An outline is a working rough draft of how your paper will be written with a limited amount of detail. An outlines purpose is to allow you to organize your thoughts and the content of your paper. A 1 to 2 page outline will be sufficient. Your graded outline should be turned in with your term paper.
Example of an Outline
I. Introduction
II. Define topic / Purpose
III. History of chosen topic (both on the State and Federal level)
IV. Educations, requirements, pay, etc.
V. Conclusion

Length –
• Minimum 3 Pages
• Maximum 5 Pages
• Must include a Bibliography – not included in the paper page count

Specifics –
• APA format

• Times New Roman and 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header
• Number all pages at the bottom

Grading –
• Outline – 5%
• Research – 5%
• Organization – 10%
• TOTAL = 20%

Sources –
5 Sources required, with no more than 2 internet sources.

Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)

Introduction to Criminal Justice Topic List

1. Crime Scene Investigator
2. Adult Probation Officer
3. Adult Parole Officer
4. Park Ranger
5. State Trooper
8. U.S. Marshals Service
10. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
11. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
12. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
13. Texas Rangers
14. Juvenile Probation Officer

15. Juvenile Parole Officer

16. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent

17. U.S. Secret Service Special Agent

 

Homework Assignments
September 3^rd, 2014 – Due at the Beginning of Class

All About Me Paper guidelines

Purpose- To introduce yourself to the instructor.

Topics-

The paper needs to include information about your background, experiences, career goals, and anything in your life that may affect your performance in this class. 

Length –

• Minimum 1 Page
• Maximum 2 Pages

Specifics –

• APA format

• Times New Roman and 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header
 

Grading –

• Organization – 5%
• Following the assignment – 5%
• TOTAL = 10%

October 8^th, 2014 – Due at the Beginning of Class
You  will prepare a one page written assignment based on the following police scenario explaining how you would respond and the reasons that influenced your responses. Make sure your answers are researched, and answer questions with facts to back up your opinion. Site your sources where applicable.

Police Scenario:

You are a rookie police officer who responds to a call for officer assistance. Arriving at the scene, you see a ring of officers surrounding a suspect who is down on his knees. You don’t know what happened before you arrived, but you see a sergeant use a Taser on the suspect, and you see two or three officers step in and take turns hitting the suspect with their nightsticks about the head and shoulders. This goes on for several minutes as you stand in the back of the circle. No one says anything that would indicate that this is not appropriate behavior. What would you do? What would you do later when asked to testify that you observed the suspect make “threatening” gestures to the officers involved?

November 10^th, 2014– Due at the Beginning of Class

Read and answer question 8 on page 298 of the textbook. Make sure your answers are researched, and answer questions with facts. Site your sources where applicable.

Please Use the following format for every homework assignment:
Specifics –
• Homework must be printed & turned in at the beginning of class.
• 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header
 

Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)