Frederick Community College

 

CJ 101 – Criminal Justice

 

SPRING 2012

 

Class begins:  1/30/12

Class ends: 05/19-12

Last Day to Withdraw:04/16/12

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:   Karen Shinham

Office: 

E-mail:  kshinham@frederick.edu

Phone Number:  443-812-8613 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              443-812-8613      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Contact Hours: email and  by appointment for in-person meeting

Campus Mail Box #:  

           

Course Information:

 

Credits:  3

On-campus Meetings:  N/A

On-campus Exams:  1

Prerequisites:  EN 52 or ESL l99

 

 

Course Description:

 

Presents a history of criminal justice, with emphasis on English antecedents important to the administration of justice in the United States.  Introduces the United States constitution and Supreme Court decisions affecting individual rights and law enforcement practices.  Includes career orientation through an analysis of criminal justice agencies.

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

 

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate

 

1.      Demonstrate understanding of the 3 major components of the Criminal Justice System;

2.     Describe the methods of gathering data in crime and its limitations;

3.     Explain the contribution of English Common Law to the U.S. Judicial Process;

      Identify career opportunities in criminal justice.

 

 Instructional Methods:

 

Chapter Exams:  There will be two exams in this class.  The first exam, which will be proctored, will be given during week 7 and may include multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.  The first exam will be taken at the testing center.  The second exam will be taken on-line.  This exam will consist of definition questions and essay questions.  Students will need their student ID to take the exam at the testing center. There will be no makeup unless a student misses an exam for an emergency, death etc.  The student must contact the Instructor prior to the exam or shortly thereafter to discuss his/her situation and to present documentation.  it is up to the Instructor’s discretion whether a makeup will be allowed.

 

Discussion Board online: 

The Discussion Board is the most important area for student-teacher interaction in the Blackboard classroom.  Each week with the exception of the two test weeks, there will be one (1) discussion  regarding the “Muddiest Point” of the assigned readings.  “Muddiest Point” is the part that you, individually, found complicated, confusing, or just unclear.  Each student is required to post his/her “muddiest point” and then review other student’s posts and make an effort to answer or clarify their muddiest point.  I will label the discussion “Week 1, 2, etc.”  This will make it easier for you to track the discussions. Each student is required to post their own “muddiest point,” respond to at least two (2) fellow students about their “muddiest point,” and answer any follow up questions I may ask regarding your initial response.  Your responses should be in paragraph format and although the conferences are somewhat informal, spelling and grammar are still important.    “I agree” will not count as a post.  Each week’s discussion is worth 15 points, with the final week worth 20 points. Remember, discussion participation is 20% of your grade.  Your posts should indicate that you have completed the assigned reading and reviewed other student’s posts.  I will not put a minimum word count on your post, however, anything less than one well developed paragraph will not be given credit. 

Each week will begin on Monday (I will have it on line by Sunday for those who like to start early) and close on the following Monday.  That means you have seven (7) days to complete your discussion board work.  Nothing posted after that time will be credited.  Early posts create more discussion, so I do encourage posting early in the week.

Criminal Justice Project:  (200 Points)You may choose one (1) of the following for your project. 

Practitioner Interview Project: You will interview an individual in the Criminal Justice Field.  The interview will consist of asking questions related to the person’s career in the Criminal Justice Field.  You will then present the answers in a three page double spaced paper.    You can make up your own questions, but focus on discretion, how and why they make particular decisions, what guidelines exist to guide their decisions, your opinion about the information gained, and then how you believe each officer's personal life experiences effect that decision making.  Begin with a (1) cover page with your name, project title, course, and date submitted. (2) Provide background information on the selected person; (3) obtain the person's views on the criminal justice system, whether it works, doesn't work, and what he/she believes to be the future of the criminal justice system. This is to be in a narrative format, i.e., what you learned as the result of speaking with this person. Do not submit a "question-answer" paper. (4) Your analysis of what the person has to say should also compare and contrast relevant sections/chapters of the text or outside sources. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, and a minimum of three pages. When using the text or other sources, they must be properly documented and referenced. This "Works Cited" page does not count toward the page total.

Criminal Court Visit:  Visit a criminal court session. Depending on when you attend, you could see a series of cases or one case. Write your reflections on what you observed and how the proceedings affect the administration of justice. Papers must be a minimum of three, typed and double-spaced pages.

Your report should include the following: 

  1. a cover page with your name, project title, course, and date submitted
  2. an introductory section that explains the purpose of the paper
  3. your reflections on what you observed and how the proceedings affect the administration of justice
  4. a "compare and contrast" explanation of what you viewed with relevant sections/chapters of the text or outside sources
  5. a "Works Cited" section when you reference the text or other sources, which must be properly documented and cited
  6. POLICE RIDE-ALONG - This is an observational assignment that focuses on the use of discretion by police officers who patrol our communities. The objective of this assignment is to observe who is stopped and why? Who is arrested and why? How does the use of discretion affect the patrol officer's job? Papers must be a minimum of three, typed and double-spaced pages. Include cover page listing your name, project title, course, and date submitted, a an introductory paragraph that includes the purpose of the paper and information concerning assignment of the officer, the department with which he/she is employed, and the date, time, and duration of the ride-along. Using a narrative format, you should provide the officer's views on the use of discretion and then follow this with your observations and conclusions.  When using the text or other sources, they must be properly documented and referenced.
  7. Homework Assignments:  There are three homework assignments.  Each homework assignment must be two to three pages double spaced.  You must submit the assignment on the due dates. There will be no exceptions.

 

Homework Assignment #1 (100 points) 

COURT CASES

In discussing procedural due process, several cases are considered landmark and provide additional explanation of the bill of rights (for the purpose of this exercise, also included is the 14th amendment).

Choose one case and follow the guidelines below:

  1. Begin with a cover sheet indicating your name, project title, course, and date submitted.
  2. Provide a brief synopsis of the circumstances that led to the hearing of the case
  3. Describe the court's decision
  4. Discuss which amendment (of the bill of rights, to include the 14th) is being upheld
  5. Discuss the affect  the case has on your view of the criminal justice system
  6. If you use outside sources, you must document them. The bibliography or documentation of the outside sources does not count in the page total requirement.

Papers must be typed, double-spaced, and a minimum of two pages that covers the case brief.

Cases

1.   Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

2.   Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

3.   Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

4.   Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

5.   Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

6.   Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

7.   Katz v. United States (1967)

8.   in re Gault (1967)

9.   Tennessee v. Garner (1985)

10.  Graham v. Connor (1989)

11.  Maryland v. Wilson (1997)

 

Formatting Guidelines

  1. Begin with a cover sheet indicating your name, project title, course, and date submitted.
  2. Provide a brief synopsis of the circumstances that led to the hearing of the case
  3. Describe the court's decision
  4. Discuss which amendment (of the bill of rights, to include the 14th) is being upheld
  5. Discuss the affect  the case has on your view of the criminal justice system
  6. If you use outside sources, you must document them. The bibliography or documentation of the outside sources does not count in the page total requirement.

Homework Assignment #2 (100 points)

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS ENTERTAINMENT CRITIQUE

 

There are a number of programs that showcase the criminal justice system on cable TV. As opposed to Law and Order, CSI, and the like, these programs purport to be fact-based.

For this assignment, you may choose any two segments from the following television programs. Note: The following are examples: American Justice and City Confidential

 If a student finds another program that meets the criteria, simply email the instructor for permission to use that specific program.

 

Critique Requirements and Formatting

 

Papers must be a minimum of two (2), double-spaced, typed pages, and must include the following:

  1. Cover page with your name, project title, course and date of submission.
  2. Section 1: Introduction, purpose, brief synopsis of each episode or program selected.
  3. Section 2: Which area(s) of the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections) is highlighted? How is this segment(s) of the system portrayed? How is the "criminal" portrayed (if applicable)? Which theory would explain the criminal behavior (if applicable)? How is the "victim" portrayed (if applicable)? How is the victim treated by the system (if applicable)? Does the victim receive justice (if applicable)?
  4. Conclusion: If you choose American Justice, there is usually a question asked toward the end of the episode. What is that question and how would you answer it? With American Justice and other shows that may be reviewed, what message do you feel the public receives about the criminal justice system as a result of watching these programs? What do you feel is the value of these shows in either making the public more aware of crime and justice in American or de-sensitizing them to the seriousness of crime in America?
  5. Reference cited/Bibliography

Homework Assignment #3(100 points)

Power Point Presentation

The issue of the death penalty has been debated for centuries.  After reading Chapter 12, choose a side, for or against the death penalty, and prepare a short persuasive presentation that would convince someone with a neutral viewpoint on the issue to your way of thinking.  The power point should be a minimum of 10 slides, but no more than 15 slides presenting your position on this controversial issue.  Include the following:

 

 

 How is this course organized:

 

Text(s) for Course:

 

Schmallegar, Frank “Criminal Justice Today”, 11th edition

 

Progress Report:

 

Students may review their progress at any time by entering the grade book feature in Blackboard.

 

 Evaluation Methods:

 

 

Evaluation Methods:  Tests / Papers / Projects

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

 

 

2 examinations

150 points each

A = 900-1000 points

 

 

Criminal Justice Project

    200 points

          B= 800-899 points

 

Discussion Board (13) 15 pts each

200 pts (weekly-25 pts.)

          C = 700-799 points

 

Online Homework (3) Assignments 100 pts each

300 points

          D = 600-699 points

          F =  599 and below          

 

 

Student Services

 

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              301-846-2408      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

 

 

 Participation Policy:

By registering for a Web-based course, you have made a commitment to participate in your course Discussion Board as well as other online activities. Please plan to participate regularly. You will note in the grading policy that your online  participation counts toward your final grade.

The weekly Discussion Board will normally require you to respond directly to a posted question or idea and to comment on responses from your classmates. The goal is, naturally, to discuss and exchange ideas. When you participate in online discussions, practice professional and personal courtesy. Although source citation is not necessary in the discussions, the ideas of other people and resources that are of value should be identified.

Weekly Discussion Board will be posted on Saturdays, and each week's responses are due by midnight (eastern time) the following Monday.  Responses may not be submitted late; students who have not participated within the time allotted will receive a grade of zero for that week's participation. Full credit for the conference each week requires that you interact with your classmates.  Please participate early whenever you can.  The quality of a discussion greatly diminishes when everyone tries to submit their responses in the last couple days.  You must address the topic of the discsussion and then respond to at least two other student posts.  "I agree" does not count as a response to other students posts. 

Successful progress through this course depends on reasonable self-pacing and regular online participation. If you have problems keeping up, contact your instructor.

Substance of Responses

Your responses should exhibit evidence of critical thinking and analysis. What is meant by substantive? This is certainly a fair question. A quick, but perhaps not very helpful answer might be that your instructor will know it when he or she sees it. More concrete advice would be to keep in mind the tried-and-true journalism questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how?

In order to be considered substantive, a comment or paper must meet a number of criteria. First of all, it must clearly show that you have read the required readings. It must not simply repeat what you have read, but show that you fully understand it. If your answer adds something to your instructor's understanding of the issue at hand, then it is most likely substantive.

The ability to write substantively is one of several critical skills that criminal justice managers must learn in order to succeed. Others include the ability to speak and write well and to think critically.

Additional Issues Concerning the Quality and Length of Responses

The quality and length of your responses are considered when your instructor is determining how your postings contribute to the class. If a response is too long or too wordy, it may prove difficult to read, and therefore, it may not significantly contribute to the class's understanding of the subject. The same may be true when a response is too abbreviated this, too, may make it difficult for other readers to understand your meaning. The quality of your responses in classroom discussions is a critical way for you to demonstrate that you fully comprehend the course materials. Please note that "I agree" and "Yes, that's an important point" are not substantive responses by themselves. Quality responses demonstrate your degree of understanding by expanding on the original statement. The quality of your participation in classroom discussions counts toward your class participation grade.

Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure are expected in your assignments. However, these standards are not as strict in conferences, as the style there is more informal and "conversational." You are, however, encouraged to proofread all messages before you post, in order to ensure that they are readable.

Your grade will be determined by individual contributions.  Except as noted above, all of your submissions will be graded on relevance, comprehensiveness, specificity, clarity, and analytical skills, as well as the writing skills that you demonstrate.

 

 

 Email Policy:

 

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

 Topical Outline (ONLINE COURSES)

 

 

Class

Date

Subject

Content

1

1/30

Introduction to course

What is Criminal Justice?

 

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapter 1
  2. Discussion Board Introduction and Muddiest Point

2

2/6

The Crime Picture, Criminal Law and The Search for Causes

 

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapter 2 & 3
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

3

2/13

Criminal Law

 

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 4
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point
  3. Homework Assgn #1 2/14

 

4

2/20

History and Structure of Policing and Purpose and Organization

 

 

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 5 & 6
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

 

5

2/27

Policing - Legal Aspects and Issues and Challenges

 

Reading/Assignments

  1.  Read Chapters 7 & 8
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

 

 

6

3/5

The Courts – Structure and Participants and

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 9
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point
  3. Study for Midterm exam

7

3/12

Pretrial activities and Sentencing AND Sentencing

Mid Term Exam

3/19 to 3/25 Spring Break

 

Reading/Assignments

  1.  Read Chapter 10 & 11
  2. No Discussion Board required this week
  1. Take PROCTORED mid-term exam at testing center between 3/8 thru 3/15

 

8

3/26

Corrections – Probation, Parole and Community Corrections AND Prison Life

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 12 &14
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point
  3. Homework Assgn #2 3/31

 

 

9

4/2

Prisons and  Jails

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 13
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

 

10

4/9

Juvenile Justice

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 15
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

 

11

4/16

Drugs and Crime

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 16
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

 

12

4/23

Terrorism and Multinational Criminal Justice

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 17
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point
  3. Homework Assgn #3 due on 4/22

 

13

4/30

The Future of Criminal Justice

Reading/Assignments

  1. Read Chapters 18
  2. Discussion Board – Muddiest Point

14

5/7

Wrap up and Review

Reading/Assignments

  1. Discussion Board – Wrap up and review

 

15

5/14

Take on-line exam

Reading/Assignments

  1. Turn in Criminal Justice Project DUE 5/13
  2. Take on-line exam by 5/17 - will be posted and emailed to you by 5/13.
  3. NO Discussion Board assignment this week