Criminal Investigation Syllabus for 2017-2018
Return to Syllabus List
Instructor Information
Instructor
Constance Haskins (Curriculum Vitae)Office Location
First Responders Academy Bldg.
3701 Plains Blvd, Office #1029
Office Hours
|
Email / Blackboard Messaging Phone Contact
Communication Policy I am committed to supporting your success in this course and am available to assist you throughout the semester. During the summer term, I do not maintain regular weekly office hours. However, students are encouraged to contact me whenever they need assistance. Meetings by Appointment Students may schedule an appointment to meet with me either:
Appointments can be arranged at a mutually convenient time by contacting me through email or Blackboard messages. While I do occasionally check messages outside of normal business hours, responses may not be immediate. I make every effort to respond to emails and Blackboard messages within 24–48 hours during the workweek. Messages sent during evenings, weekends, or holidays may require additional response time. If you would like to meet individually to discuss course content, assignments, grades, or any concerns, please contact me to schedule an appointment. 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 Online Professionalism & Digital Conduct I. The Virtual Classroom In this online course, AC Connect, discussion boards, and college email are official campus locations. All interactions must remain professional, respectful, and courteous. Per the Amarillo College Student Handbook, conduct policies apply to students "whether the activity takes place on or off campus," including all digital communications. II. Prohibited Behavior In accordance with Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities, any communication that is condescending, rude, disrespectful, hateful, or unprofessional will not be tolerated. Per the Student Handbook, "Unacceptable Conduct" is defined as any behavior "contrary to the best interest of the faculty or staff or the teaching/learning process." Specific prohibited behaviors include:
III. Communication Boundaries & Netiquette
IV. Repercussions Failure to adhere to these standards is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in the following actions:
V. Professionalism Modeling Guide
|
Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Student Withdrawal Procedures
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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-2314-003 Criminal Investigation
Prerequisites
Course Description
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
Occupational License Disclaimer
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
Dual Credit Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
There is no required textbook for this course. All reading materials will be provided online within the course.
Supplies
All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active and functioning internet service, Microsoft Word or some other type of word processing program, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.
Adobe Acrobat Reader may be downloaded FREE from https://get.adobe.com/reader/.
Student Performance
- Understand the process and procedures of a criminal investigation.
- Determine the role of evidence in a criminal investigation.
- Compare and contrast the variations in investigation guidelines for different types of crimes.
- Be familiar with the legal requirements of a criminal investigation and the subsequent procedures for preparing a case for presentation and successful conclusion of the adjudication process.
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 field of criminal investigation and the essential elements therein.
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
|
Course Workload and Preparation Requirements The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part. Students are individually responsible for ensuring they understand all requirements of the course, have access to all supplies needed and complete assignments accordingly.
Log into the class on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times per week) to check for class announcements/emails and ensure understanding of all applicable requirements.
Complete all readings and course preparation as assigned. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
Complete all assignments in a timely manner and be cognizant of all relevant due dates. (See Grading Criteria and Calendar sections herein for additional information on more specific course policies.)
Discussion Board Guidelines At times the discussion board topics will address sensitive and uncomfortable 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.
Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions, within written course work or email content.
Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course. Moreover, only the student registered for the course should prepare the assignments and participate in the course.
If you have cause to be concerned or offended by any of the topics covered in this course, or something another student posts on the discussion board, you are to contact the instructor of record immediately. All material, both required and supplemental, is directly tied to helping students better meet the Student Performance Objectives.
Scholastic Integrity Scholastic honesty is not only assumed, but required, of all students in all coursework and exams as they relate to this course. The instructor maintains a zero-tolerance policy with regards to occurrences of scholastic dishonesty. Occurrences of scholastic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will result in a grade of zero for the applicable assignment and/or removal from the course. Scholastic dishonesty is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as “…shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.” Determinations of scholastic dishonesty may be substantiated if a student engages in any of the following behaviors:
Communicating With Your Instructor and Classmates Students should make themselves knowledgeable regarding appropriate ‘netiquette’ practices. There are several internet resources explaining the facets of netiquette. One source is located at: http://learning.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=4.
Students will communicate with their instructor in a courteous and professional manner at all times. Discourteous, rude and/or aggressive emails, text messages or phone conversations will not be tolerated.
When you have questions regarding the course, you should contact your instructor FIRST. Students or other Amarillo College staff or faculty are not responsible for making determinations regarding course policies.
In the event you have a complaint or issue regarding this course, you should contact the instructor first and if the situation cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may then contact Eric Wallace, Director of Criminal Justice Programs at (806) 354-6081.
|
Grading Criteria
|
Students' grades for this course will be comprised of the following percentages and types of assignments:
Assignment Deadlines Late assignments are generally not accepted. Coursework, discussions 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 some type of valid, extenuating circumstance 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 regarding acceptance of late assignments on a case-by-case basis. The following point deductions will be applied when late assignments/quizzes/exams are accepted: 1 day late – 10 points; 2 days late – 20 points; 3 days late – 30 points.
As referenced above, all assignment due dates are listed on the course calendar. See the CALENDAR section herein for instructions on accessing the course calendar. In addition to the calendar there is a “To Do” box on the home page of the course. This will help you track your assignments, due dates, etc. *Please be aware the discussion assignments will not appear in this due date box because there are two due dates for these assignments.
Unless otherwise noted, all homework assignments, quizzes and exams will be due no later than 11:59 pm on the specified date, as referenced on the calendar.
You will have a specified amount of time to complete your assignments for each module. If there is a valid emergency or circumstance beyond your control, you may contact me before the due date of the assignment(s) to discuss your options and any potential late penalties that may be applied. It is your responsibility to ensure you have access to a working computer and functioning internet service to access the course and submit your assignments. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your assignments. You will have ample notice of what the assignments entail and when they are due. Forgetting to do an assignment or having an internet malfunction at the last minute aren’t sufficient excuses for submitting as assignment late. Please understand this policy is present and adhered to in the interest of fairness to all students in the class.
Final Exam Exemption Opportunity If you complete ALL assignments, including the mid-term and submit them all on time and have a minimum comprehensive course average of 70 or above, you will be “exempt” from taking the final exam.
There will be no exceptions to this exemption opportunity. If you submit any part of an assignment late, make-up or retake the mid-term for any reason, you will no longer be considered exempt from taking the final exam. Please understand it’s not that I am unsympathetic to situations that may arise during the semester. The purpose of this exemption is to encourage you all to complete and submit your assignments in a timely fashion and reward those students who perform in a consistently prepared manner throughout the semester. The only way this works, and is fair, is if it’s applied uniformly.
Resubmission of assignments at my request will not affect a student’s ability to gain exempt status, as long as the assignment is resubmitted prior to the deadline given.
At the onset of the last module an email will be sent to all students who have been designated as “exempt.” If you don’t receive an email from your instructor indicating such, then you MUST take the final exam.
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).
You will NOT receive a “0” for the final. For example, if you made an 85 on your mid-term, you get designated as “exempt” and you choose not to take the final, then your exam average will remain an 85.
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. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, you are encouraged to contact me immediately.
Grading of Assignments You can access your grades at any time by clicking on the “Grades” link under the COURSE MENU on the left side of the course.
Homework and discussion assignment grades will be available approximately one week after the ending date of the module and will be based on format, the student’s compliance with all assignment requirements, accurateness and comprehensiveness of answers. (Refer to section below.) This time frame for the posting of grades is tentative. There will be occasions when it will take longer than a week after the ending date of the module to post the grades. An announcement will always be posted advising when grades are available.
Understand that minimal work will receive a minimal grade. Don’t assume just because you completed the minimum requirements for the assignment you will receive a perfect score. General feedback will be given on the first assignments. However, due to the number of students and workload, feedback on subsequent assignments will be limited to citing incorrect answers, etc. or explaining why a grade is extremely low (below 70). The information included in the general rubric below will give you an idea of criteria utilized when grading your assignments, as well as applicable deductions. I alone will make final determinations on all grades.
You can always check your current class average so that you know where you stand. If you have any questions regarding your grades, you are encouraged to contact me, as I will be more than happy to answer any questions, or provide additional feedback.
Final Course Grade Assignment (Grading Schema)
Final letter grades in the course will be assigned utilizing the below listed schema. Unless otherwise noted, there will be no exceptions to this schema made by the instructor.
|
Attendance
|
REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS, EVEN IN AN ONLINE SETTING.
Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory completion. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis and 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.
Information Regarding Withdrawals Per Amarillo College guidelines, students must receive approval from the instructor to withdraw from the course. The last day to withdraw from a class is listed on the course calendar (on the class site) and on Amarillo College’s master calendar on AC Connect.
If a student wishes to withdraw from the course they must complete the following steps:
Failure to drop or withdraw the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.
|
Calendar
|
The course is divided into fifteen (15) modules, with a corresponding checklist for each module that contains all required preparation, reading and assignments. Please review each checklist carefully to ensure you understand the requirements therein. It is strongly suggested you print the checklists, however it is not mandatory. Students will be required to turn in assignments on specified dates, as referenced on the course calendar which is located on the class site under the COURSE MENU.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule when deemed appropriate. Any and all changes made will be clearly communicated in a timely fashion. Below is a basic outline of the course and the topics covered therein. The course calendar provided on the class site contains more detailed information and includes due dates for all assignments.
Module 1 Introduction to the course and classmates Syllabus overview
Module 2 Historical Perspectives on Criminal Investigation
Module 3 Overview of the Criminal Investigation Process
Module 4 Undertaking the Investigation of a Crime Scene: Methodology, Protocol and Searches
Module 5 Mission Documentation: Note Taking, Photographing, Sketching and Writing Effective Reports
Module 6 The Function of Evidence in a Criminal Investigation: Identification, Collection and Preservation
Module 7 Midterm exam
Module 8 The Role of Science in a Criminal Investigation: Physical Evidence, Forensics and Crime Labs
Module 9 The Human Aspect of Criminal Investigation: Developing and Identifying Suspects through Intelligence, Interrogations and Information
Module 10 Crimes against Property
Module 11 Crimes against Persons
Module 12 Crimes against Society (Public Order Crimes)
Module 13 The Final Result: Preparation for Prosecution and Adjudication
Module 14 Work on crime scene project
Module 15 Final Exam
|
Additional Information
|
This section contains important and helpful information on a variety of topics related to the class. If you need additional information on any other topic or aspect of the class, please refer to the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS located on the Course Menu. Moreover, you may always feel free to contact the instructor with any questions.
Accessing Important Course Information Students should log onto the course as early as possible on the FIRST DAY of the semester.
This course will progress quickly and the first assignment is due within days of the course beginning. When you log onto the course for the first time you will see an announcement directing you to the START HERE – Course Information page.
Tutoring/Assistance with Course Content Any student needing assistance with any aspect of the course content should contact the instructor to schedule a tutoring session. Tutoring sessions are offered at no charge and can be conducted on campus or via telephone. Arrangements can be made to schedule a time that is convenient for the student.
Student Academic/Individual Needs Resources There are a variety of resources available to help students with issues they may be experiencing throughout the semester. You are encouraged to contact the instructor with any questions or problems you might have while taking the course. In addition, you should visit the “Student Resources” page on the class site for more detailed information.
Academic Resources:
Individual Needs Resources:
|
Syllabus Created on:
09/04/17 10:44 AM
Last Edited on:
09/04/17 10:56 AM