Course Requirements

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. Complete all assignments on time
3. Study for the exams

It is extremely important that you read the assigned chapters, You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings, do not get behind!  

 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 aware of all relevant due date.

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

A ST A STUDENT WHO IS CAUGHT ENGAGING IN ANY OF THE BEHAVIORST LISTED ABOVE WILL RESEVE A ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT OR TEST IN WHICH SCHOLASTIC INTEGRATY WAS IN AN ISSUE, THIS IS FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE ONLY.  IF THE BEHAVIOR CONTINUES THE STUDENT WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CLASS AND WILL RECEIVE A FINAL GRADE OF AN F FOR THE SEMESTER.

Discussion Forms

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.  

Lectures will be conducted via Zoom. Generally we will have lecture on Monday and Wednesday’s from 12:30pm-1:45pm. There are a couple of times when we will meet Tuesday-Thursday. It is extremely important to use the class calendar to know when we have lecture.   

Please be prepared for lecture the same way you would if you were coming to class. Please read the following guidelines, I do expect for these to be followed.

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.

Attendnace

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY AND IS PART OF YOUR FINAL GRADE. ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN ON LECTURE DAYS. PLEASE SIGN INTO ZOOM USING YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME. DO NOT USE ABBRIVIATIONS OR “FUNNY” NAMES.  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR CAMERA SO THAT I AND THE CLASS CAN SEE YOU.

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  December 9 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.