NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Criminal Investigations
Course prefix, number, and section number: CJSA1342 0381
Semester/Year of course: FA 23 2nd 8 weeks
Semester start and end dates: October 23, 2023 thru December 13, 2023
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous online
Class meeting location, days, and times: online
Lab meeting location, days, and times: n/a
Semester credit hours: 3
Course description:
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, Third Edition
Pearson Revel
Name of instructor: Cliff J. Downey
Office location: Gainesville Campus, office no. 2107
Telephone number: 940-668-3313
E-mail address: cdowney@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: Monday thru Thursday 10 am - 2 pm
To meet during hours not listed above, please contact the instructor to schedule an appointment.
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: Percentage of final grade
Chapters 12 Not Graded
Chapter Tests 12 25
Short, topic, quizzes 75 25
Discussion Forums 6 10
Investigation Project 1 20
Final Exam 1 20
Final grade scale: A 90 - 100
B 80 -89
C 70 -79
D 60 - 69
F Below 60
Late work policy: I do not accept late work unless the excuse for being late has been approved before the due date. Any late work will receive no more than 50% of the original score for the late assignment.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: 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:
- Removal from course
- Dismissal from NCTC
Attendance Policy: 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)
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: November 27, 2023
Student Learning Outcomes:
- 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
Core Objectives: 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
COLLEGE POLICIES
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Teresa Laman
Office location: Suite 170, Office 173
Telephone number: 940-498-6263
E-mail address: tlaman@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