Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course Information

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Course

CRIJ-1301-002 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

                         

Criminal Justice Mainstream and Cross Currents. 3rd edition. (2014) by John Randolph Fuller.

ISBN-13: 978-0199997961 (REQUIRED TEXTBOOK)

IMPORTANT: Students enrolling in this course will need their textbook on the FIRST DAY.

Textbooks may be purchased via the following methods:

•  In person at the Amarillo College bookstore on the West Campus at 6222 W. 9th, Building D. Students can contact the bookstore at 806-354-6040 or via email at westbookstore@actx.edu. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and in addition to these regularly scheduled hours, extended hours are announced for the beginning and ending of each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer).
• Online through the Amarillo College bookstore or another online vendor. Access the bookstore's home page at http://www.actx.edu/bookstore/ and click on the "West Campus link".

The correct ISBN is cited above. Students ordering their book online through the Amarillo College bookstore, or through another vendor should ensure they order the correct edition of the textbook and allow enough time for delivery so as to have the book before the first day of class.

 

Supplies

All students enrolling in this class must have the required textbook, access to a working computer, active and functional internet service, Microsoft Word or

Student Performance

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 consequence of crime.
4. Evaluate the development, concepts and functionsof law in the criminal justice system.
5. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state and local justice agencies and processes.

This course will be guided by meeting the above referenced Student Performance objectives. At the end of the semester students are expected to have a basic understanding of the criminal justice system in America and the essential elements therein.

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

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1. The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part.
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2. Log into the class on a daily basis to check for class announcements & emails and ensure understanding of all applicable due dates.
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3. Complete all assigned reading. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
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4. At times, the discussion board topics will address sensitive subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions.and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate manner.
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5. Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions or within email content.
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6. Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course.
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7. Cheating will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will generally result in a grade of zero or removal from the course.
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Grading Criteria

Students' grades for this course will be comprised of the following percentages and types of assignments:

 

Homework	30%	Assignments in this category include essay/short answer assignments,   vocabulary assessments, web exercises and any other type of written assignment of the instructor's choosing.
Discussion Assignments	20%	Students will be required to interact with others in the course. There will be specific discussion assignments for Modules 1-7 in which the student will be required to post their own discussion answer and then respond to at least five (5) of his or her classmates' postings.
Quizzes	20%	Quiz #1 - This quiz is included in Module 1 and covers material from the Course Syllabus and the General Course Guidelines and Instructions and contains 25 multiple-choice and true false questions together with some fill in the blank questions.  Quiz #2 - Included in Module 2 and covers material from the chapters listed on the Module 2 Assignment Checklist. Quiz #3 - Included in Module 6 and covers material from the chapters listed on the Module 6 Assignment Checklist. Quiz #2 and #3 each contain 50 multiple-choice and true-false questions. On occasion, a matching-type vocabulary question may be included as well.
Exams	30%	Mid-term exam - Included in Module 4. The mid-term  contains 100 multiple-choice and true-false questions and involves all material covered to date. Final exam  - Included in Module 8. The final contains 200 multiple-choice and true-false questions and is comprehensive in nature, covering all material from the entire semester.

  

**Refer to the General Course Guidelines and Instructions on the class site for important information on the final exam exemption opportunity.  In the event you are designated as “exempt” from taking the final exam, your mid-term exam grade alone will serve as your exam average (30% of your overall grade). In the event you are designated as “exempt” and decide you still want to take the final exam, you must accept your grade and it will be averaged together with your mid-term grade to comprise your exam average (30% of your overall grade), as previously stated herein.

Each module will have an accompanying Module Assignment Checklist containing all applicable assignments for the respective module. Students will  be required to turn in assignments on specified dates, as referenced on the course calendar.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. With very few exceptions, assignments, quizzes, or exams submitted after the deadline will receive a grade of zero (0). It is imperative for students in an educational setting to learn to manage their assignments and time for success in a real-world environment. Therefore, unless there is a valid, extinuating circumstance out of the student's control assignments will NOT be accepted after the due date. Due dates for the entire semester will be listed on the course calendar from the first day of the course.The instructor reserves the right to make determinations on a case-by-case basis.

 

Final Course Grade Assignment (Grading Schema)

Letter Grade	Corresponding Numerical Value
A	89-100
B	79-88
C	69-78
D	59-68
F	58 and below

 

 

Attendance

REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS.

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It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

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Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact the instructor via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
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Calendar

Additional Information

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