Ethics in Criminal Justice

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title: Ethics in Criminal Justice – Spring 2020

Course Prefix & Number: CJSA 1348

Section Number:  400

Semester: SP20

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Ethical philosophies and issues pertaining to the various professions in the criminal justice system. Includes ethical issues emanating from constitutional conflict with public protection and individual rights, civil liberties, and correctional policies. 48 lecture hours. 

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Course Materials:

Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice, (10th Edition) by Joycelyn M. Pollock (with Cengage MindTap). You must purchase the MindTap access code. This can be done by purchasing the book from the bookstore, or it can be purchased directly from the Cengage website. The textbook is included digitally with MindTap access. WARNING – If you choose to purchase a book or rent a book, failure to use this edition is at your own risk. I will discuss all your options the first day of class.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Gary Knight

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth

Telephone Number:

972-677-8890 – Google Voice Mail

E-mail Address:

geknight@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1 PM – 3 PM

10am - 12pm

1 PM – 3 PM

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

14

Videos, Homework (You Decide, part 1 and part 2), and 4 Writing Reviews

25%

14

Chapter Exams

25%

1

Midterm Exam

15%

1

Semester Project

10%

8

Scenario Assignments

10%

1

Final Exam

15%

       

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

 

90%-100%                   A

80%-89%                     B

70%-79%                     C

60%-69%                     D

59% and below            F

 

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

 

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Explain the Foundation of ethics.

2.

Compare and contrast theories of ethics with personal and professional practices.

3.

Interpret and apply ethical considerations in policing, the courts, and corrections.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

 Successful completion of this course will require you to attend class. It is my belief that classroom discussions and interactions contribute to the learning experience. Therefore, classroom attendance is mandatory and will be monitored. Excessive unexcused absence may lead to a student being dropped from the course.  Excessive unexcused absence is defined as missing 10% of the scheduled classes or 5 absences. I will take roll every day. As a final note on attendance, I will use attendance and class participation as the determining factor in cases of borderline final grades.

Unless prior arrangements have been made (via email or in person, at least a week before the scheduled due date) assignments/tests may not be accepted.  

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Week 1.           January 22 – January 29       

Orientation

Read Chapter 1. Morality, Ethics and Human Behavior

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework and Exam Chapter 1

 

Week 2.           January 27 – January 31

Read Chapter 2. Determining Behavior

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 2

 

Week 3.           February 3 – February 7

Read Chapter 3. Justice and Law

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 3

 

Week 4.           February 10 – February 14

Read Chapter 4. Becoming and Ethical Professional

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework and Exam Chapter 4

 

Week 5.           February 17 – February 21

Read Chapter 5. The Police Role in Society

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 5

 

Week 6.           February 24 – February 28

Read Chapter 6. Police Discretion and Dilemmas

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 6

 

Week 7.           March 2 – March 6

Read Chapter 7. Police Corruption and Responses

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework and Exam Chapter 7

Midterm Exam

 

Week 8.           March 9– March 13

Read Chapter 8. Law and Legal Professionals

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 8

 

Spring Break   March 16 – March 20

 

Week 9.           March 23 – March 27

Read Chapter 9. Discretion and Dilemmas in the Legal Profession

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 9

 

Week 10.         March 30 – April 3      Last Day to withdraw with a ‘W’ April 3rd. 2020

Read Chapter 10. Ethical Misconduct in the Courts and Responses

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework and Exam Chapter 10

 

Week 11.         April 6 – April 10       

Read Chapter 11. The Ethics of Punishment and Corrections

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Semester Project Due

Homework and Exam Chapter 11

 

Week 12.         April 13 – April 17

Read Chapter 12. Discretion and Dilemmas in Corrections

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 12

 

Week 13.         April 20 – April 24

Read Chapter 13. Correctional Professionals: Misconduct and Responses

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion - Scenario Assignment

Homework and Exam Chapter 13

 

Week 14.         April 27 – May 1

Read Chapter 14. Making Ethical Choices

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework and Exam Chapter 14

 

Week 15.         May 4 – May 8

Summary of Chapters and Review

 

Week 16.         May 11– May 16 Finals Week

Final Exam

 

Schedule is tentative and can change. Prior notice will be given if changes take place.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 3th, 2020

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

 

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

 

          Communication

          Mathematics              

          Life and Physical Science

          Language, Philosophy & Culture

          Creative Arts

 

          American History

          Government/Political Science

          Social and Behavioral Sciences

          Component Area Option

 

 

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

XX           Critical Thinking

XX           Communication

             Empirical and Quantitative

 

             Teamwork

XX           Personal Responsibility

XX          Social Responsibility

 

 

COURSE TYPE

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

          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

XX        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

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

https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Cherly Gary-Furdge

Office Location:

Suite 239 Office 234 Corinth Campus

Telephone Number:

940-498-6238 or 972-922-7978

E-mail Address:

cfurdge@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Debbie Huffman

Office Location:

Gainesville Career Technology Building

Telephone Number:

940-668-3357

E-mail Address:

dhuffman@nctc.edu

 

There are no Handouts for this set.