Syllabus
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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
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Course Prefix & Number:
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2334
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Section Number:
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0381
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2021 2nd 8 Weeks
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Semester Credit Hours:
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03
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Lecture Hours:
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48
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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):
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Textbook: Criminal Justice Policy.Stacy L. Mallicoat/Christine L. Gardiner (Available in NCTC Bookstore or can be purchased online) Readings will be assigned by instructor.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Cliff J. Downey
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Office:
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2107, Gainesville Campus
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3313
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E-mail Address:
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cdowney@nctc.edu
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CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR: Contact me using NCTC email If you need to schedule time to speak via phone OR within the module. I will work with you to schedule time during the hours below.
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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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| 9 am - noon |
9 am - noon |
9 am - noon |
9 am - noon |
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| 1 pm - 3 pm |
1 pm - 3 pm |
1 pm - 3 pm |
1 pm - 3 pm |
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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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Explore an assigned contemporary topic in criminal justice
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List specific problems within the topic and suggest solutions
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria
3 Unit Exams @ 100 points each 300 points
6 Squad Meetings (discussion boards) @ 50 points each 300 points
6 Brief Unit Quizzes @ 50 points each 300 points
1 Comprehensive Final Exam 100 points
Total Available Points 1000 points
Points Course Grade
1000 - 900 A
899 - 800 B
799 - 700 C
699- 600 D
Below 600 F
Assignments and Due Dates
October 19-October 21
Course Overview and Introduction
Course Overview and Introduction: Complete Field Training Module. Instructions for course and tips for online learning. Complete introductory squad meeting and course navigation quiz.
October 18– October 24
Homeland Security
An exploration of issues related to homeland security including homeland security policies, immigrants and crime, and terrorism.
Read excerpt from textbook. View terrorism video. View immigration video
Unit One Quiz
Unit One Squad Meeting
November 2- November 15
Police and Minority Issues
An exploration of issues surrounding police and minority relations including police excessive force, racial profiling and disproportionate minority contacts
Read excerpt from textbook and view videos on police use of force and racial profiling. Read article on racial profiling and police use of force
Unit 2 Quiz
Unit 2 Squad Meeting
Unit Exam I
Exam covering Unit One and Unit 2
November 16 - November 22
The Drug War
The history of drug laws and alternative approaches to the drug problem. Read 121-144 in textbook. View videos on legalizing drugs and read articles
Unit Three Squad Meeting and Unit Three Quiz
November 23 - November 29
Juveniles in Adult Courts and Prisons
Issues related to treating juvenile offenders as adults and sentencing them to adult sanctions including the consequences and implications of juvenile waiver policies.
Read excerpt from textbook; View videos on juvenile waivers and sentencing.
Unit Four Quiz
Unit Four Squad Meeting
Unit Exam II
Exam covering Units 3 and 4
November 30 - December 6
Wrongful Convictions
An exploration of how and why innocent defendants are convicted of crimes and what can be done to prevent it.
Read case studies on wrongful convictions
View PowerPoint
Unit 5 Squad Meeting
Unit 5 Quiz
December 7 - December 11
Capital Punishment
An exploration of issues related to the death penalty including how a defendant becomes eligible for it, its purpose, and constitutional issues related to capital punishment.
Read excerpt from textbook
View videos on death row and death row facts
Unit Six Squad Meeting
Unit Six Quiz
Unit Exam III
Covers Units Five and Six
December 6-8
Final Exam
Comprehensive Final Exam
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 ____NOVEMBER 18th
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)________
□ 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 (For classes in the Core)
* Critical Thinking
□ Communication
□ Empirical and Quantitative
□ Teamwork
□ Personal Responsibility
□ Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
□ Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
✉ Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
✉ 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:
- A grade of F entered for the assignment or semester
- Dismissal from class
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Dr. Cherly Gary-Furdge
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Office Location:
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Suite 170 Office 172
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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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Dr. Debbie Huffman
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Office Location:
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Gainesville/Career and Tech Bldg
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Telephone Number:
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940.668.3357
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E-mail Address:
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chuffman@nctc.edu
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