NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title:  Criminal Investigation

Course prefix, number, and section number: CJSA1342  Sec. 340

Semester/Year of course: SP22

Semester start and end dates:  January 18 – May 11

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid):  online

Class meeting location, days, and times:  online

Lab meeting location, days, and times:   n/a

Semester credit hours:  3

Course description: Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information, interview and interrogation, uses of forensic sciences, case and trial preparation.   

Course prerequisites:   none

Required course materials: Criminal Investigation 11^th edition with MindTap.  Authors: Hess, Orthmann, and Cho.  You will need MindTap to complete some of the required assignments.

 

 

Name of instructor:   Cliff J. Downey

Office location:           Gainesville Room 2107

Telephone number:   940-668-3313

E-mail address:           cdowney@nctc.edu

Office hours for students:

 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

 

 

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

List of graded assignments:  GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage
5	Exams	15
8	Quizzes	10
5	Discussion Forums	10
14	Video Case Scenarios	10
1	Final Project	15
1	Mid-Term Exam	20
1	Final Exam	20

 

 

 

Final grade scale:  90 – 100  A

                                  80 – 89    B

                                  70 – 79    C

                                 60 – 69     D

                                 Below 60  F

 

Late work policy:  I do not accept late work.

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

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:

1. First Offense - warning
2. Second offense – Dropped from course and receive an F for the course

 

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)

 

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: April 4, 2022

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

 

Core Objectives:

o          Critical Thinking

o          Communication

o          Empirical and Quantitative

 

o          Teamwork

o          Personal Responsibility

o          Social Responsibility

 

 

COLLEGE POLICIES