NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
Course prefix, number, and section number: CJSA2334 Section 381
Semester/Year of course: SPII 24
Semester start and end dates: March 18 – May 8
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: A series of lectures and class participation exercises presenting selected topics currently confronting criminal justice and the public they serve.
Course prerequisites: none
Required course materials:
Criminal Justice in Action 11th edition with Mind Tap
(Required)
Name of instructor: Cliff J. Downey
Office location: Gainesville/Room 2107, Career & Technology Center
Telephone number: 940-668-3313
E-mail address: cdowney@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: Monday – Thursday 10am – 2 pm
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: GRADING CRITERIA
|
# of Graded Course Elements
|
Graded Course Elements
|
Percentage or Point Values
|
| 1 |
Mid-Term |
15 |
|
8
|
Chapter Quizzes
|
10
|
|
3
|
Meetings with Instructor
|
5
|
|
1
|
Final Exam
|
15
|
|
28
|
"Think, Act & Decide" Assignments
|
10
|
|
5
|
Discussion Forums
|
10
|
|
2
|
Concept Papers
|
15
|
1 Final Paper 20
Final grade scale:
90 – 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Below 60 F
Late work policy: Late work will be penalized at 10 percent for each day the work is late. Most assignments will be due at 11:59 pm on Sundays. That means if you turn in your assignment at 12:01 am on Monday morning you will receive a 10-point deduction. This deduction will continue for each subsequent day.
Discussion Forums – Discussion Forums are meant to be an exchange of information, knowledge, opinions, and understanding concerning the topics presented. Because they are to be an “exchange”, Discussion Forums cannot be made up. If you miss a discussion assignment you will not have an opportunity to make up the assignment.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: 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:
- Removal from course
- Dismissal from NCTC
Attendance Policy: “Attendance”, is recorded by your actual participation in assignments. It is not sufficient to log into the course but fail to complete assignments. I will monitor the course “attendance” weekly. Failure to participate may result in removal from the course or a failing grade.
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: April 22, 2024
Student Learning Outcomes:
Explore an assigned topic in Criminal Justice.
List Specific problems within the topic and suggest solutions.
Core Objectives:
o Critical Thinking
o Communication
o Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
o Personal Responsibility
o Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
x Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
o Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
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: Corinth Campus 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 Career Technical Center
Telephone number: 940 – 668 - 3357
E-mail address: dhuffman@nctc.edu