Course Syllabus
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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Contemporary Issues
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Course Prefix & Number:
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CJSA2334
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Section Number:
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0381
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Semester/Year:
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Spring 2021
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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48
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Lab Hours:
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n/a
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
There is no textbook required for this course. Instead, we will use a series of articles, research materials, and videos to review and evaluate relevant topics in criminal justice.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Cliff J. Downey
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Campus/Office Location:
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Gainesville/ Room 2107 (Career and Technology Center)
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Telephone Number:
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not in office during current pandemic
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E-mail Address:
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cdowney@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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12:30 - 4:30
WebEx Meeting
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12:30 - 4:30
WebEx Meeting
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12:30 - 4:30
WebEx Meeting
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12:30 - 4:30 WebEx Meeting
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Identify and explore assigned contemporary topics
in criminal justice
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List specific problems within the topic and suggest solutions
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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7
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Assignments
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25
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7
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Quizzes
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25
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1
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Course Project
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15
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1
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Final Exam
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20
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7
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Discussion Forums
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15
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Grading Scale
A - 90 to 100
B - 80 to 89
C - 70 to 79
D - 60 to 69
F - Below 60
COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE
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Week 1
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Legalization of marijuana
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 2
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2nd Amendment
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 3
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Death Penalty
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 4
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Law Enforcement and Community Relations
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 5
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Bail / Bond Controversy
Course Project Due
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 6
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Use of Force
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 7
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Retribution or Rehabilitation
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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Week 8
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Final Exam
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Topic Assignment, Quiz, Discussion Forum
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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 26, 2021.
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
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Dr. Cherly Furdge
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Office Location:
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Suite 239, Office 234 Corinth Campus
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6238
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E-mail Address:
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cfurdge@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Debbie Huffman
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 2106
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3357
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E-mail Address:
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dhuffman@nctc.edu
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