Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Constance Haskins (Curriculum Vitae)Office Location
First Responders Academy Bldg.
3701 Plains Blvd, Office #1029
Office Hours
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Email / Blackboard Messaging Phone Contact Communication Policy Office Hours: Office hours are available for individualized support. During these times, you may meet with me in person, through FaceTime, Google Meet, or via messages/email. Office Hours Monday: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Virtual office hours may also be scheduled as needed. While I do occasionally check messages outside of these hours, scheduled office hours are the best time to receive immediate responses and real-time assistance. Please note: Emails, messages, and texts sent after 6:00 PM or on weekends may not be answered until the next business day, although I occasionally check messages outside of these hours. Response Time You can generally expect a response to course emails or messages within 24 hours during the week. If you do not hear back within a reasonable time, please feel free to follow up. Course Communication The primary methods of communication for this course will be: • Blackboard Announcements – Posted in the course and sent to your AC email Students should check announcements, Blackboard messages, and email at least every other day to stay informed about course updates and deadlines. Additional Resources for Assistance If you are unable to contact me directly, the following resources are available: Criminal Justice Department Offices ASK AC Helpline CTL Student & Faculty Help Center AC Connect Student Resources Professional Communication Expectations All communication in this course should remain professional, respectful, and courteous. This includes emails, messages, discussion posts, texts, and phone conversations. Students are expected to follow appropriate netiquette (online communication etiquette). Resources about netiquette are available in the Course Resources folder. If you have a question or concern about the course, please contact me first so we can work together to resolve the issue. If we are unable to resolve the matter, you may contact my immediate supervisor. Her contact information is listed in the Additional Information section at the end of this syllabus.
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Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:
Administrative Drop Policy
N/A
Student Withdrawal Procedures
N/A
Privacy Statement
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
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.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
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Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Criminal Justice Mainstream and Crosscurrents, John Randolph Fuller 3rd Edition, ISBN# 978-0-19-999796-1
Supplies
Ten (10) Scantron’s with essay space booklets are required for exams and quizzes Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the Scantron portion.
Student Performance
Student Performance / Learning Objectives
- Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system.
- Explain the nature and extent of crime in America.
- Analyze the impact and consequences of crime.
- 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 ResponsibilitiesLog 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
There are certain requirements that will be necessary for the successful completion of this class. The requirements are mandatory and are explained fully in this syllabus.
- Quizzes are given after every chapter
- Read the chapters; take good notes
- Be on time. If you need to leave early, sit in the back of the classroom.
You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings and being prepared for class discussions. The textbook readings are intended to provide background information to my lecture. Because we will be having class discussions when I am lecturing, it is of utmost importance that you read the assigned reading for that particular lecture in the textbook. If for some reason, due to the class discussion, I am unable to lecture on a particular topic in the book you are still responsible for knowing that particular section of the assigned reading. So, please be aware that you will be tested on what the book covers as well as my lectures. The readings will be from the textbook listed above, as well as any other material that I may handout during the semester. Bring you textbook to every lecture. In order to be successful in this class you will need to devote equal study time to course lecture as well as the readings; therefore, class participation is expected.
PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 9:00 a.m. Repeated tardiness, cell phones making any type of noise at all, sleeping, talking, reading unrelated class material, distracting behavior, will not be tolerated and I will ask you to leave the classroom if you are engaging in this type of behavior. DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE IN CLASS
Grading Criteria
Exams:
Each student will be required to take a midterm exam and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester.
The midterm exam will consist of True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer.
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of True/False and multiple choice
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.
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 27, 2015. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.
- Additional assignments: ex. Worksheets, short papers, etc..
- Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions. You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.
Quizzes:
There will be 10 chapter 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.
Grading Scheme:
Exam’s 40%
Participation 25%
Quizzes 35%
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.
Extra Credit: All extra credit is due Monday May 2, 2016, NO LATE ASSIGNMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED
Students have the opportunity to participate in two (2) extra credit assignments for a total of 15 points added to your final exam grade. Student’s participation is optional. Students are encouraged to complete the extra credit assignment to mitigate against lost points.
- This assignment is worth a total of 5 points. Students may choose to keep a homework notebook. At the end of each chapter I will provide a homework assignment. If you choose to participate in this assignment, you must complete every chapter homework assignment to receive credit. I will not provide copies of homework that you miss because you did not attend class. Each assignment will need to be typed and placed into a binder. You will turn in the binder in on the day that extra credit is due.
- Is assignment is worth a total of 10 points. Students can select up to five (5) questions, from the list below, to answer for extra credit. The essay must be at least one full page, single space, 12 point font. The essay must have at least 2 properly sited sources. Each answered question is worth 2 points.
- What is the purpose of law? What would a society be like without laws?
- What are the five categories of criminal law violations? Please discuss each in detail and list them based on seriousness.
- What are the three styles of policing described in the text? How do they differ?
- Describe the legal standards for assessing search and seizures conducted by law enforcement officers?
- How did the American court system develop? What is the dual court system? Why do we have a dual court system in America?
- What are the various stages of a criminal trial? Describe each one.
- What are alternative sanctions? Give some examples.
DO NOT CONTACT ME AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER REGARDING EXTRA CREDIT, THESE ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR EXTRA CREDIT.
Attendance
Attendance and participation are required. A role sheet will be handed out at the beginning of class, you will sign acknowledging you are present. If you come in after the sign in sheet has been passed around, you will not be allowed to sign in and will be counted absent for that day. A student is allowed (2) two absences. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade. In addition, students who regularly attend class and frequently contribute to class discussions may receive an additional point or two if they are on the border of receiving a higher grade at the end of the term.
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”. The last day to drop is April 21, 2016, you must have my permission to drop. You need to send me an email requesting to drop the class and the reason behind it.
Calendar
Calendar- This schedule is subject to change by the instructor at any time
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01/20/16 Week 1 01/25-01/29/16 |
Introduction, class overview ; read chapter 1; complete vocabulary assignment Topic: Crime and the Problem of social control- Chapter 1 |
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Reading
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 Power point notes  Chapter 2: |
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Assignments |
 Find an article relating to the violence in Chicago (be prepared to discuss it). Also, find the crime statistics for the city for 2015. |
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Main Classroom |
 Lecture- The criminal Justice System as a Method of Social Control and Crime as a Social Responsibility.  Class Discussion- Is the Criminal Justice System Really a System? Why is Crime a Social Responsibility? NO CLASS ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27th |
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Week 2 02/01-02/05/16 |
Topic: Nature and Measurement of Crime- Chapter 2 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 4: |
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Assignments |
Complete legal definition worksheet |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 1 quiz  Lecture- Types of Crimes and Measurement of Crime  Class Discussion- Why is Chicago such a violent city?
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Week 3 02/08-02/12/16 |
Topic: Criminal Law- Chapter 4 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 5: pages 166-178  Chapter 6 |
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Assignments |
Make a graphic organizer of police history in the United States |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 2 quiz  Lecture- Sources of Law, Types of law, Types of crime, Features of Crime, criminal defenses  Class Discussion- Why do we have laws and where do they come from? |
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Week 4 02/15-02/19/16 |
Topic: The History and Organization of Law Enforcement- Chapter 5 & 6 Policing and the law Issues in Policing |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 7: pages 231-241 |
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Assignments |
 Write down 5 questions to ask of next week’s guest speaker |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 4 quiz  Lecture- Levels of law enforcement and Policing the Law  Class Discussion
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Week 5 02/22-02/26/16 |
Topic: Issues in Policing, Challenges to Transitional Policing- Chapter 7 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 8 pages 286-302 |
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Assignments |
 Complete legal vocabulary worksheet; create a diagram of the Texas Court System; create a diagram of the federal court system. |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 5/6 quiz  Lecture- Challenges to traditional policing  Guest speaker from a police department |
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Week 6 02/29-03/04/16 |
Topic: The History and Organization of Court- Chapter 8 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 9 |
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Assignments |
 Study for Mid-term, use previous quizzes; complete legal vocabulary worksheet |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 7 quiz  organization of Modern U.S Courts and the Structure of State Courts |
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Week 7 03/07-03/10/16 |
Topic: Midterm Working in the court room- Chapter 9 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 10
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Assignments |
 Complete legal vocabulary worksheet
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Main Classroom |
 Midterm- Monday March 7th  Lecture- working in the courtroom  The forgotten actor  Class Discussion |
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Week 8 03/14-03/18/16 |
Spring Break |
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Assignments: |
 Watch the following videos: Watch in the order I have put them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6jTwpXlSs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGbxNwJQR90 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ2MBfGaMTA watch 1:31:04-2:30:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muqjj4B_9Kg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTZFtfg2LZU |
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Week 9 03/21-03/25/16 |
Topic: The Disposition: Plea bargaining, trial, and sentencing- Chapter 10 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes
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Assignments |
 None
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Main Classroom |
 Chapters 8/9 quiz  Lecture- plea bargaining, trial  Class Discussion
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Week 10 03/28-04/01/16 |
Topic: Chapter 10 continues |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 11:
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Assignments |
 Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKiQi90U2AU
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Main Classroom |
 Class Discussion  Lecture- trial court, sentencing |
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Week 11 04/04-04/08/16 |
Topic: The History of Control and Punishment- Chapter 11 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 12 |
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Assignments |
 interview a probation or parole officer |
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Main Classroom |
 Chapter 10 quiz  Documentary on the death penalty  Lecture- capital punishment |
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Week 12 04/11-04/15/16 |
Topic: Contemporary Prison Life- Chapter 12 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 13 |
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Assignments |
 Write 1 page paper over your interview with a probation or parole officer. |
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Main Classroom |
 Class Discussion  Chapter 11 quiz  Lockup video
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Week 13 04/18-04/21/16 |
Topic: Corrections in the Community- Chapter 13 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Chapter 14:
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Assignments |
 Complete vocabulary worksheet |
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Main Classroom |
 Class Discussion  Chapter 12 quiz |
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Week 14 04/25-04/29/16 |
Topic: Juvenile Justice- Chapter 14 |
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Reading |
 Lecture Notes  Review for Final Exam (use you chapter quizzes as review) |
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Assignments |
 None |
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Main Classroom |
 Class Discussion  Chapter 13 quiz  lecture  Documentary- Young Kids Hard Time. |
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Week 15 05/02-05/06/16 |
Topic: Final Exam Review |
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Main Classroom |
 Review for final exam |
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Week 15 05/09-05/13/16 |
Topic: Final Exam |
Additional Information
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ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! APA style Format:
Every assignment you turn in must have the following cover page attached. If the cover page is missing 10 points will be deducted from your grade.
Title of paper Your name Introduction to Criminal Justice Instructor Haskins |
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All About Me Paper guidelines
Purpose- To introduce yourself to the instructor.
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 –
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Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM