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/.

Assistance with Computer Access

If you do not have a computer, you may access the computers at the AC Library on the 4^th floor of the WARE Building. Click on the link below to access phone numbers, hours of operation and locations for all Amarillo College libraries and computing centers:

https://www.actx.edu/library/

The Amarillo College Bookstore has a laptop rental program as well. You may contact them to find out more information about the requirements and terms of the program.

• Each student will need to download the app entitled Kahoot to their smart phone or computer (if you download to your computer make sure you are able to bring your computer to class on Thursdays, web address for computer users is as follows: https://kahoot.com/ )
• Each student will also need to create an account on the Quizlet website

https://quizlet.com/

• Three (3) ring binder
• Tab dividers ( will need 7)

The Writer’s Corner is an excellent resource available to you for assistance in the writing needs of the course. You can access additional information at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.

EMAIL ADDRESS:  writerscorner@actx.edu 

Phone: 345 5580   

LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102

Fall & Spring Semesters

Monday – Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Summer Sessions

Monday - Thursday

8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Student Performance / Learning Objectives

1. Understand the process and procedures of a criminal investigation.
2. Determine the role of evidence in a criminal investigation.
3. Compare and contrast the variations in investigation guidelines for different types of crimes.
4. 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.

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.

Course Requirements

Class structure, important announcements, and participation

SIMPLE RULES FOR CLASS 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.

1. Read the chapters; take good notes
2. Be on time and stay until the end

You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings and being prepared for class discussions and assignments. If for some reason 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, in class work, handouts, and assignments.  The readings will be from the textbook listed above, as well as any other material that I may handout during the semester. Bring your 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.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS:

• This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week studying for this class, outside of class.
• Studying in college is a complex task, in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, and study skills, among others…
• Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.
• Complete the required online review and practice test on the Quizlet website.

Behavior policy. 

In this class, students are expected to behave in a manner befitting adult, college students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the college. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

Prohibited behavior includes, but are not limited to the following:

• This semester, cell phones will not be allowed during class, except during the Kahoots assignments.
• Arriving late or leaving early from the classroom
• Carrying on side conversations with classmates
• Sleeping
• Doing other coursework, or reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to classmates
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to the instructor, questioning the instructor’s authority, expressing anger about a grade, or generally disrupting the instructor’s ability to teach
• Dominating the class discussion by not allowing other students to speak

PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 9:00AM.  

NO CELL PHONES WILL BE ALLOWED OUT DURING CLASS, UNLESS WE, AS A CLASS, ARE USING THEM FOR CLASS RELATED PURPOSES.  IF YOU ARE CAUGHT USING YOUR CELL PHONE DURING CLASS, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF LEAVING YOUR PHONE AT MY DESK FOR THE REMAINDER OF CLASS OR LEAVING CLASS ( IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE CLASS YOU WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT AND WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR ANY CLASS WORK DONE THAT DAY).

Discussion Forms

There is an online component to this class. There will be weekly discussion posts that will be completed through Blackboard. Discussion topics will cover an issue facing the criminal justice system today or a topic from the required weekly reading. Each discussion will be available from midnight the first Monday of each week until 11:59 PM Thursday of the same week. There will be no makeup discussion assignments, if you miss a discussion assignment you will receive a zero for that assignment. To receive credit for each assignment, all criteria listed below must be met.

• Discussion Forums are a way for you to engage with each other about the course content.  In order to get full credit for each discussion, you will need to post a thoughtful, well-written response to the question and respond to two of your classmates’ answers. You will access the discussions by clicking on Discussions (on the Home Page for the course), and then click on the specific Chapter Discussion Assignment you are working on.  You will then post your response into the appropriate Discussion Assignment.  

• You will have to post your initial response before you will be able to respond to your classmates.

• Your initial response to the discussion question needs to be at least 150 words. Your response needs to have correct spelling and grammar. No credit will be given if your response does not meet these minimum requirements. Please do not limit yourself, I encourage you to go beyond the basic requirements.

• You will respond to four of your peers.  Each response must be a minimum of 50 words.  No credit is given for a peer response that does not meet the minimum requirement of 50 words. Your word processor should give you a word count for your discussion papers. Again don’t limit yourself.

• It is the student’s responsibility to make sure their response for a Discussion Assignment is posted. You should post directly into the Discussion for the specific assignment. Do not post your response as an attachment. After the response is posted, it is the student’s responsibility to check to make sure that their discussion was posted.

• I recommend that you write your response in Word, and then paste your response into the Discussion. To paste your document into Blackboard you will need to use CTRL+C to copy and CTRL+V to paste. You should save a copy of your paper in your files. If there is a problem with the online course, then you will have a backup copy. You also need to run spell check, grammar check, and then post it into the course. Do NOT post your paper as an attachment.  I cannot grade your paper inside the Blackboard system unless it is posted into the Discussion.

• Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" in the ONLINE PORTIONS of this class AT ALL TIMES.  Inappropriate online behaviors, such as name calling, accusations, verbal attacks, sarcasm, and other negative exchanges such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the course room material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in having to drop this course, failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine! Keep the discussion and comments on the topic, not on the individual. Don't personalize the dialogue. Rather than personalizing the dialogue, please direct challenging comments or questions to the instructor or the entire class. Remember that it is OK to disagree with each other. Let's agree to disagree. The purpose of dialogue and discussion is not to reach a consensus, nor to convince each other of different viewpoints. Rather, the purpose of dialogue in the classroom is to reach higher levels of learning by examining different viewpoints and opinions.

• Now, having said that, please remember that this is a COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER!  You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to criminal justice.  If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me.  However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about issues in criminal justice and how society handles it.  YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education! You are encouraged to debate others, and your instructor, in a polite BUT WELL INFORMED manner!  If you want to debate a point made, all this instructor asks, is that you bring your sources and do a good job of backing up your ideas.  

A discussion rubric will be posted on Blackboard.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic honesty is not only assumed, but required, of all students in all coursework and exams as they relate to this course. This 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:

• Function as a substitute for another student in any assignment or exam, or utilizes a substitute in any assignment or exam
• Utilizes the assistance of others, including other students, or engages in “collusion” in relation to any assignment or exam to the extent the work is not characteristic of the student's capabilities. Collusion is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as: “… the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.”
•  Affords excessive assistance to another student in relation to any assignment or exam, including the unauthorized use of camera phones, text messages, photocopies, notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or intended for academic submission.
• Commits plagiarism; refer to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct which defines plagiarism as: “…the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.”
• Uses information and/or materials from the Internet or any other source without citing full and applicable credit
• Knowingly permits his or her work to be submitted by another student in connection with any assignment or exam
• Claims credit for or submits work done by another student

Communication 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 good source is located at: http://learning.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=4.

Students will communicate with their instructor in a professional and courteous 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 my course policies.

In the event you have a complaint or issue regarding this course you should contact me first and if the situation cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may contact Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator, of Criminal Justice Programs at (806) 354-6051.

Exam procedures

Grading Criteria

Make up policy

Extra Credit

Exams:
Each student will be required to take six chapter exams

Exam Day:

NO CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, OR TABLETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF EXAMS! If a student has one of these devices on the day of the test, the student will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to take the test.

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

All tests will begin at 10:30 A.m., if a student enters the class after 10:40 A.M. they will not be allowed to take the test.  YOU will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete each chapter exam, you will have two hours to complete the final exam.

You will use the power points and in class ASSIGNMENTS As your study guide. online studying will be available through quizlet and in class review will be provided through kahoot.

Quizzes:

There will be two weekly quizzes given each week. The quizzes will be given at the beginning of class.  If you arrive late or are absent you will not be allowed to make up the quizzes, no exceptions. If you are late, please do not ask to make up the quiz.

Death Scene Final Project:

Students will create and process a crime scene diorama. Further detail will be provided in class. This project will take the place of a final exam.

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

Attendance [10%]: 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 10 points, per additional absence, being taken off of the attendance grade.  STUDENTS HAVE FAILED SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ATTEND CLASS!

Coursework [20%]:  Assignments in this category include in class assignments, quizzes, notebook checks, and any other type of 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 in which the student will be required to post their own discussion answer and then respond to at least four (4) of his or her classmates' postings.

Exams [30%]: There are five (6) chapter test. Each test will be over two chapters. The tests may contain multiple-choice, true-false, fill in the blank, and/or short answer.  

Death Scene Final Project [20%]:  All information necessary for this assignment will be provided to students at the onset of the course to provide ample time for completion of all required elements therein.

A = 100%-89.5%

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

F = 59.4% and below

You get the grade you earn.  At the end of the semester, if you have a final grade of an 89.5 you will receive an A, if you have a final grade of 89.4 you will receive a B. DO NOT CONTACT ME AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER AND ASK ME TO ADD POINTS TO YOUR GRADE.

Make up Policy:

Because the lowest chapter exam score is dropped, there will be no make-up exams.  If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, that exam will be the exam score that will be dropped. The purpose for the drop grade is so that you can miss an exam for any reason, such as death in the family, illness, vacation, having a baby, not able to get your books on time, not having access to a computer, having to work, forgetting to take an exam, etc…

If you do not have your final project completed and turned in on the date it is due, you will receive a zero for the project, no late work will be accepted.  

Extra Credit:

There is not an “extra credit” option.  I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit.  I want you to learn the study skills necessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college.  

Withdraw procedures

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 December 6, 2017, you must have my permission to drop.  

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

1. print out the Administrative Withdrawal Request form and complete it. The form requires the instructor’s signature.
2. consult with their instructor to obtain instructors signature on the withdrawal request form
3. consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
4. consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
5. consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
   • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students 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, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.
6. take complete form to the AskAC department for processing

Format for assignments. 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED.  HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

APA style https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

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.

Every homework assignment that you are required to turn in at the beginning of class must have the following cover page attached. If the cover page is missing 10 points will be deducted from your grade. This does not apply to online discussions or online assignments.

Title of paper

Your name

Police Systems and Practices

Instructor Haskins

Notebook

Each student will be required to maintain a notebook.  Your notebook will have the following sections, divided by dividers:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Each week will have:

• Check list printed off from Blackboard
• Power Points for the chapters covered that week (these are the completed power points).  You will print these off Blackboard and fill them in as you are reading.
• In class assignments
• Practice test scores

Your notebook will also have a cover sheet that will be the first piece of paper in your binder.  The cover page will contain the following information:

Your name

Police Systems and Practices

Instructor Haskins

Behind your coversheet, before the tabs start, you will have the syllabus and a printed copy of the course calendar.

Notebook checks will be conducted on November 15, 2017 and December 6, 2017