NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Criminal Investigations
Course Prefix & Number:		CJSA1342	Section Number:	400	Semester/Year:	Spring 2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	48	Lab Hours:	n/a
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; use of forensic science; case and trial preparation.
Course Prerequisite(s):  none
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Textbook: Criminal Investigations, 3rd Edition Michael D. Lyman, Pearson Publishing Spiral notebook for notetaking Scantrons for testing Computer access

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Cliff J. Downey
Campus/Office Location:	Gainesville/2107 Career and Technology Center
Telephone Number:	940-668-3313
E-mail Address:	cdowney@nctc.ecu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:20 – 10:20	8:30 – 9:30	8:20 – 9:20	8:20 – 9:30
12:30 – 2:30	11:00 – 12:30	12:30 – 2:30	11:00 – 12:30

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
	Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigation
	Demonstrate ability to conduct proper crime scene investigations
	Illustrate the use of forensic science for various statutory offenses
	Organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, crime scene activities, and mandatory documentation of statutory warning

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
1	Investigation Project	10
1 per chapter	Chapter Quizzes	50
1	Mid-Term Exam	20
1	Final Exam	20

 

IMPORTANT  (Please read this section carefully.)

 

It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with all the information included in the course syllabus. The class will be conducted in accordance with the course syllabus. I recommend you refer to this syllabus should you have questions concerning the scheduling and requirements of the course. Please consult your instructor concerning any questions you may have about the information provided in this syllabus. 

This syllabus will be available on Canvas throughout the duration of the course. You may refer to it at any time.

 

I do not give extra credit assignments. 

 

There are two major exams during this course, the mid-term and the final exam. It is very important you are present on the days these tests are given. 

 

Quiz

 A quiz will be given at the end of each chapter or chapter group.

 

If you miss a quiz there will be no opportunity to make it up. Attending class regularly and arriving on-time will prevent this from becoming an issue.

 

 

I do not provide study guides.  You are provided a general description of subject matter for each course lecture. You should use this as a study guide when preparing for your exams.

 

You must attend classes, read the assignments and participate in class discussions to obtain the information you will need for exams.

 

Project Grading:    Please read your project instructions carefully.  Be aware, the course project will count as ten percent of your overall course grade. It is very important you complete the assignment as required and submit it on time.  The course project can only be submitted in person (not electronically).   The due date for your course project is at the regularly scheduled class meeting.  If you will not be present in class on the due date you may send it to class by someone else or you may submit it early.  `If you do not submit your project on time, 10 points will be deducted from your project grade for each class meeting day it is late.  Example: The project is due on Friday and you do not submit it until the following Monday. In this example 10 points would be deducted from your project before the project is graded fully. Under this example the best grade you can receive would be 90.  Grading of the project will be in accordance with the rubric provided.

To avoid any last-minute difficulties, I recommend you start your project as soon as possible. In that way any problems you encounter or any questions that develop may be addressed quickly. This will allow you to complete your project properly and on schedule.

Any student wishing to do so may submit for review, a rough-draft of their project. I will review the submission and make any recommendations I think appropriate.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is required and as such will be monitored. Excessive absences will be grounds for dismissal from the course. Excessive absences will be determined in the following manner;

MWF classes – 12 absences

TR classes – 8 absences

Night classes – 4 absences

 

If a student is not present when class attendance is taken the student will be considered absent.

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Weeks 1 - 15	Quiz upon completion of each chapter	Written quiz
Week 8	Mid-term Exam	Written Exam for all chapters covered up to week 8.
Week 10	Project Due	See Rubric
Week 16	Final Exam	Written exam for remaining chapters.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Week 1 – Review syllabus, begin studies of chapter 1

Week 2 – Complete chapter 1. Begin studies of chapter 2

Week 3 – Complete Chapter 2 – Field notes, documenting, and reporting

Week 4 – Chapter 3, Processing the crime scene

Week 5 - Exam 1 – Chapters 1-3

Week 5 – Chapter 4

Week 6 – Complete chapter 4

Week 7 - Chapter 5 – Legal Issues

Week 8 - Complete Chapter 5, Begin chapter 6

Week 9 – Complete Chapter 6, Exam 2 – Chapter 4-6

Week 10 – Chapter 9

Week 11 - Complete Chapter 9

Week 12 – Chapter 10

Week 13 – Complete chapter 10, Begin Chapter 11

Week 14 – Complete Chapter 11, Begin Chapter 14

Week 15 – Complete Chapter 14, Exam 3 – Chapter 9 – 11 & 14

Week 16 – Comprehensive Final Exam

 

The Tentative Schedule listed above is to be considered a guideline for our studies. This schedule may be changed at the instructor’s discretion.

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5, 2018.

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________     

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

o         American History

 

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

o            Critical Thinking

o           Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

o        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

x        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

• Dismissal from course           
• Removal from NCTC

          See Student Handbook for Policy

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Dr. Cherly Furdge
Office Location:	Suite 239, Office 234 Corinth Campus
Telephone Number:	940-498-6238
E-mail Address:	cfurdge@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Debbie Huffman
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 2106
Telephone Number:	940-668-3357
E-mail Address:	dhuffman@nctc.edu