Syllabus

Course Title: Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

Course Prefix & Number: CJSA 2334

Section Number: 340

Semester: 161S

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 43

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

A series of lectures and class participation exercises presenting selected topics currently confronting criminal justice personnel and the public they serve.

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice by Craig Hemmens (Available in NCTC Bookstore or can be purchased online)

Other readings will be assigned by instructor.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Lenn Carter

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus Hours by Appointment/ Online Availability M-F 6p-8p.

Telephone Number:

940.390-7469

E-mail Address:

vcarter@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Unit Exams @ 100 points each

300

6

Contemporary Issues in Squad Meetings

(discussion boards) @ 50 points each

300

6

Brief Unit Quizzes @ 50 points each

300

1

Comprehensive Final Exam

100

 

Grading Scale

1000 – 900      A

899 – 800        B

799 – 700        C

699 – 600        D

599-Below       F

Total Points   1000

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

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

1.

Identify and explore an assigned contemporary topic in criminal justice

2.

List specific problems within the topic and suggest solutions.

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

I recommend that you log-in at least once daily during the periods in which a squad meeting has been posted. In any case you should log in at least 3-4 days a week to be successful in this class. Logging in only once a week may result in you missing important announcements or changes. Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s would be suggested days, however, I suggest you check your email daily.       

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Date

Assignment

August 22 – August 26

Course Overview and Introduction: Complete Field Training Module. Instructions for course and tips for online learning.

PRE-TEST

August 27 – September 4

Homeland Security; read pages 267-289 in textbook; Read 3-11 in textbook. Unit One Discussion Board

September 5 – September 11

Homeland Security; view videos

Unit One Discussion Board

LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 5TH

September 12 – September 18

Police and Minorities. Chapter 4 in your textbook. read Justice on Trial.

September 19 – September 25

View racial profiling video and complete Unit 2 Discussion Board. Complete Unit 2 Quiz

September 26 – October 2

Unit Exam I. Covers material from Unit One and Unit Two

October 3 –October 9

The Drug War; read Chapter 16 in your textbook; view marijuana legalization video; read article against legalization of marijuana.

October 10 – October 16

Complete Unit Three Discussion Board and Unit Three Quiz

October 17 – October 23

Juvenile Waivers to Adult Court.

Read Chapters 12 and 14 in your textbook; View Cyntoia’s Story video

October 24 - October 30

Complete Unit Four Discussion Board and Unit Four Quiz

October 31 –November 6

Unit Exam II. Covers material from Units Three and Four

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH W

NOVEMBER 3, 2016

November 7 – November 13

Wrongful Convictions

Read Chapters 2, 5, and 6. Read article on Wrongful Conviction of Anthony Graves. Review Wrongful Convictions PowerPoint. Complete Unit 5 Discussion Board and Unit Five Quiz

November 14- November 20

Capital Punishment.

 View videos on Death Row and Death Row Inmate’s last words. Review Death Row Facts webpage; complete Unit Six Discussion Board and Unit Six Quiz

November 21 – December4

Unit Exam III. Covers material from Units Five and Six

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NOV 22 - 26

December 5 – December6

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November3, 2016.

 

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______________________________

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         American History

o         Government/Political Science

x        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

x          Critical Thinking

x          Communication

x         Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

x          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. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Cherly Gary-Furdge

Office Location:

Corinth/ 3rd floor Suite 331 Office 339

Telephone Number:

940.498.6238

E-mail Address:

Cfurdge@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Debbie Huffman

Office Location:

Gainesville/ Career and Technical Bldg

Telephone Number:

940.668.3357

E-mail Address:

dhuffman@nctc.edu

 

There are no Handouts for this set.