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/.

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.

Amarillo College Writer’s Corner

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.

Discussion Board  

Writing Assignments  

Discussion Board Guidelines/Online Behavior

Periodically, you will take part in discussion forums with your classmates.   Topic for the discussion will cover issues facing the criminal justice system today or a topic from the required weekly reading. Specific dates for these assignments are located in the class calendar in Blackboard. There will be no makeup discussion assignments, if you miss a discussion assignment you will receive a zero for that assignment.  

• 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 250 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 will have various writing assignments through the semester. The purpose of this writing assignment is to help students critically analyze an assigned case or issue and submit their findings in a well-written manner. Effective writing skills are essential for individuals to be successful in the criminal justice field.

Students will evaluate an assigned topic and answer critical analysis questions. Completed written assignments will be submitted via the assigned dropbox. Instructions on how to complete and upload writing assignments are provided in Blackboard.

• Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" in 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.  

Video lectures and quiz

Exam procedures

Exams:

Each student will be required to take four chapter exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester. 

All test will open at 9:00am on Monday and will remain open until 11:59p.m on Monday. While these exams ARE NOT OPEN BOOK, I realize you will have access to your book, you will not have enough time to look up the answers. Having the test online does not mean you will not have to study for the exams.  Please do not wait until 11:30p.m. to start your test, should you have computer problems it would be too late to try and fix the issue and still have time to take the test.  You will only have one attempt at the test. Once the test is started you cannot pause the test, so be prepared to start and finish the test in one sitting. Once you begin the test, should you have any technical difficulties please text me and I will assist you the best that I can.

TEST DATES ARE LOCATED IN THE COURSE CALENDAR IN BLACKBOARD.

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, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact me via email, phone, or in person, immediately

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  May 12, 2020, you must have my permission to drop.  

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• print out the Administrative Withdrawal Request form(https://www.actx.edu/registrar/withdraw-limitation-policy-sb-1231 )   and complete it. The form requires the instructor’s signature.
• consult with their instructor to obtain instructors signature on the withdrawal request form
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• 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.

Syllabus Quiz

Students must log on to this course through AC Connect on the first day of regular classes and complete the syllabus quiz. The due dates are located on the class calendar.    

Reading Maps

You will complete a “reading map” for each chapter. The due dates are located on the class calendar

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.

Length requirements:

• If the length requirements for a paper is 3 pages that means 3 full pages, not 2 full pages and a ½ page that is not 3 pages that is 2 ½ pages.
• Title pages and work cited pages are not include in the word count or the length requirement of any paper.  

Common

Assessment

Instructions will be provided on the first day of class. Instructions will also be available in Blackboard under the Common Assessment tab. The due dates are located on the class calendar

Blackboard

• Check Blackboard DAILY
• Complete all assignments in Blackboard
• Check e-mail DAILY
• Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.

Additional Information

Recordings in Class

Students are prohibited from recording any portion of this class without written permission from the instructor of record or authorization through Disability Services. This includes, but is not limited to, lectures, class discussions or other class activities. For purposes of the policy herein, “recording” applies to audio, video, or any other type of digital recording.

Students who create and/or share an unauthorized recording via any means, including social media, are violating an instructor's intellectual property rights and could potentially be subjected to disciplinary actions under the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, should any footage be shown of proprietary materials, the student who created or shared the unauthorized video may also be subject to copyright laws.

This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director.

Tutoring/Assistance with Course

The Criminal Justice Department at Amarillo College endeavors to support each student’s goals for success by providing additional academic support services to those in need. If your cumulative grade average for this course falls below a 70, you will be strongly encouraged to access tutoring and other academic resources the instructor feels is appropriate.

Any student needing assistance with any aspect of the course content should contact their 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 Help/ Student 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 your instructor with any questions or problems you might have while taking the course. In addition, you may access many of the various student resources at: https://www.actx.edu/student-resources.

Reproduction of Course Materials

Students are prohibited from reproducing any portion of this class without written permission from the instructor of record or authorization through Disability Services. This includes, but is not limited to, lecture notes, class discussion boards or any other class materials. For purposes of the policy herein, “reproducing” applies to photographic reproduction, audio, video, or any other type of reproduction of course materials.

Students who create and/or share an unauthorized reproduction of course materials via any means, including social media, are violating an instructor's intellectual property rights and could potentially be subjected to disciplinary actions under the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, should any reproduction be shown of proprietary materials, the student who created or shared the unauthorized reproduction may also be subject to copyright laws.

This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director. 

Extra-Credit Opportunities

Determinations regarding whether or not extra-credit opportunities will be afforded to students is at the discretion of the instructor. In the event an option for extra-credit is offered by the instructor, comprehensive guidelines and information will be provided to the student. Students are not required to participate in extra-credit opportunities.

This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director.

Student Complaints

A complaint is an allegation of improper, unfair, arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by college personnel. Students should attempt to resolve concerns informally with the instructor before filing a formal complaint. Any student or group of students may file a complaint concerning any campus issue. The Amarillo College Student Complaint Policy is described in detail in the Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

If you have a complaint regarding the instructor or some aspect of the course, you should first contact your instructor immediately in person or via email and attempt to resolve the situation. If the situation can’t be resolved to your satisfaction, you should then contact Sarah E. Uselding, Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator at seuselding@actx.edu or Eric Wallace, Director of Criminal Justice Programs at ecwallace@actx.edu.

Questions, advice, etc…

Please note; I am more than happy to talk to you about whatever may be on your mind. If you need someone to talk to, need resources for food/gas, rent etc.., or if you just have questions about criminal justice or life in general, I will be more than happy to visit with you, just text, call, or email me!