Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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 Mainstream and Crosscurrents, John Randolph Fuller 3^rd  Edition, ISBN# 978-0-19-999796-1

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.  

 

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.

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.

Group Research Paper:

There will be ten groups, each consisting of five or six students. Each group member will participate in the research and the production of the paper. Each group will receive a grade based on the content of the paper and the participation of each group member. Each group will turn in a 3 -5 page research paper over a specific topic that the students will sign up for on the first day of class. If a student is not present the first day of class, they will automatically be placed in a group by the instructor. The paper is due at the beginning of class on October 19, 2015. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.   

 

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 August 31, 2015. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.

 

Chapter Homework:

Each student will turn in homework assignments at the end of each chapter.   Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class, NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. You must be in class to turn in your homework

Participation:

As part of the participation grade for this class, we will be discussing current events that are related to the criminal justice system. You will access the current event topics through Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/675849012545660/

in order to access this page you will need to ask to join the group.

• 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                  30%
Participation                10%
Homework                  20%
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 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 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

Term Paper                                                                                 Additional Information	Term Paper Guidelines Purpose – To gain a better knowledge of various issues in the Criminal Justice field.   Subject – The paper can be written over a specific issue in Criminal Justice from a predetermined list which your group will choose from on the first day of class.   Length – • Minimum 3 Pages • Maximum 5 Pages • Must include a Bibliography, Title Page, and a Page including group member names and how each contributed to the paper – 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 Sources – At least 5 resources  Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/) Introduction to Criminal Justice Topic List 1.Death Penalty (For or Against) 2.Stop and Frisk (Should be legal or should not be legal) 3.Deadly Force (Allow deadly force or use of non-lethal force only) 4.Decriminalizing drug offenses (tickets vs. jail time) 5.Should Focus of Prison be rehabilitation or punishment   ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED. HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! Format: •           APA style •          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 New 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 curse 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
Homework Assignments                                       Homework Assignments Cont.	All About Me Paper: August 31, 2015 – Due at the Beginning of Class 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   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.