Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

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.  Also, one (1) three ring binder and  dividers.&

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.

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.       Texting and web browsing 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, and/or essay/short answer.  
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.

 Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once testing has begun.  If the student leaves the room, then their test will be taken up and graded based on the questions they have answered up to that point.

Research Paper:
Each student will turn in a 3 -5 page research 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 March 2, 2015. The outline, which will be a percentage of the final term paper grade, will give an overview of the paper. The paper is due March 23, 2015; your graded outline must be turned in with your term paper. See attached guidelines for term paper and outline requirements. 

Participation:

• 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 January 26, 2015. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.

 

• Each student will turn in homework assignments at the end of each chapter. Homework must be completed, turned in, and kept in your notebook in order to complete each quiz. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class. You must be in class to turn in your homework

 

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

 

• Notebook:
  Each student is responsible for maintaining a notebook, you will use this notebook when you take a quiz. In the notebook you will have the syllabus, calendar, notes, homework, and handouts. This is part of your participation grade, I will be checking the notebook after each quiz. You must properly maintain a notebook in order to complete each quiz.  

Quizzes:

There will be 4 quizzes given throughout the year. You must be present at the beginning of class when the quiz is handed out, if you come into class after the quiz is handed out you will not be permitted to take the quiz. The questions will be taken from information kept in your notebook, this includes the syllabus, notes, handouts, and homework. You will be allowed to use your notebook during each quiz.

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

Participation                   25%
Quizzes                          15%
Total                               100%

A = 100%-89.5%

B = 89.4%-79.5%
C = 79.4%-69.5%
D = 69.4%-59.5%

F = 59.4% 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.

 

Extra Credit:

Extra credit is not mandatory and will only be given at the discretion of the instructor. 

Attendance

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

A student is allowed to be late to class three (3) times. After the third time, any additional late entries to class will be counted as an absence. Late to class means entering class 10 minutes after class has started. An example would be if class starts at 9:00am and you arrive at 9:11 you would be counted late; however, if you arrived to class at 9:10 you would be counted present.

 

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”.

Calendar

Additional Information

Format for all assignments.	ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! APA style Format: Use 8.5” x 11” paper Type double-spaced with 1” margins on all edges. Page number should be in the top right corner. Indent each new paragraph Use Times Roman 12 pt. font. Conversations: Do not use contractions in academic papers (can’t, don’t, didn’t, etc...) Do not write one-sentence paragraphs. Do not use slang or cuss words. Works cited page: Begin on a new page Center the title, Works Cited,  at the top of the page List all entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Use the title of the work if the author’s name is not known Double-space entries. Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)   Every assignment must have the following cover page attached. Title of paper Your name Introduction to Criminal Justice Instructor Haskins
Research Paper                                                                                 Additional Information	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 An example outline will be posted on Blackboard for you to reference. Research  Paper Guidelines Length – • Minimum 3 Pages • Maximum 5 Pages • Must include a Bibliography and title page – not included in the paper      page count   Grading – The grading rubric for this assignment will be placed on Blackboard.   Sources – 3 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 6.U.S. Marshals Service 7.Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 8.Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 9.Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 10.Juvenile Probation Officer 11.Juvenile Parole Officer 12.U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent 13.U.S. Secret Service Special Agent 14.Correction officer 15.Police Officer 16.Attorney 17.Judge 18.Counter Terrorism Specialist 19.Prison Warden 20.Fire Marshall
Homework Assignments	All About Me paper: January 26, 2015 – 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   Grading: The grading rubric for this assignment will be placed on Blackboard.       Chapter homework: There will be homework for each chapter covered. Each assignment will consist of a vocabulary section and a question and answer section. Homework assignments will be given at the end of each class period. The following format is required when completing homework assignments. Vocabulary: 1.           2.           3.           Questions: 1.           2.
Blackboard	Grading rubrics will be posted to Blackboard. Please look at these when completing an assignment so that you will know what is expected and how I will grade the assignment. Examples of previous students work will be available for you to view. This will give you examples to reference. Outlines of my Power Point presentations will be made available. However, having access to them is not intended to replace attending class. Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.