NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Introduction to Criminal Justice
Course Prefix & Number:		CRIJ1301	Section Number:	361	Semester/Year:	Spring 2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system; explain the nature and extent of crime in America; analyze the impact and consequences of crime; evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system; describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes.
Course Prerequisite(s): No
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Criminal Justice in America 9th edition with Mindtap Code.  Publisher:  Cengage Learning  ISBN: 978-1-305-96606-2 (You must get the book and the code)

 

INSTRUCTOR’s INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Lenn Carter
Campus/Office Location:	Online and by appointment
Telephone Number:	940.390.7469
E-mail Address:	vcarter@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
6p-9p		6p-9p	6p-9p

 

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

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1.	Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system.
2.	Explain the nature and extent of crime in America.
3.	Analyze the impact and consequences of crime.
4.	Evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system.
5.	Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state and local justice agencies and process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Competencies

 

1. The student must be able to list and describe the 13 steps of the criminal justice process.
2. The student must be able to demonstrate the ability to interpret the law in four-five case examples.
3. The student must have an understanding of the types of punishments associated with crimes.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

(Need to Change)

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
1	Course Competency Pre-test (Required)	No Points
1	Pre-test	If you score an 80 or higher on the pre-test, you may skip to the next module
7	Post-test	Must score 80 or higher on all module post-test to pass the class.  See Module post-test instructions.
7	Video Case Scenarios	No Grade-Used as study tool
5	Learning Communities	No Points
1	Competency Project Assignment	Must score and 80 or higher on project

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE 

(I am going to delete the highlighted areas.  This is for my information only)

Module 1 ( LO 5 and Competency 1 Chapter 1)   LO 2 Chapter 2	Take Pre-test Read chapter 1 and 2 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Complete Video Case 1 Take post test
Module 2 (LO 1 Chapter 4)   LO2 and Competency 3 Chapter 3	Take Pre-test Read chapter 3, and 4 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Complete Video Case 2 Project Assignment 1 Take post test
Module 3 (LO 4) Competency 2	Take Pre-test Read chapter 5 and 6 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Project Assignment Part 2 Take post test
Module 4	Take Pre-test Read chapter 7 and 8 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Complete Video Case 3 Take post test
Module 5 LO 3 and  Competency 3	Take Pre-test Read chapter 9 and 10 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Complete Video Case 5 Complete Video Case 6 Project Assignment Part 3 Take post test
Module 6	Take Pre-test Read chapter 11 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Complete Video Case 7 Project Assignment Part 4 Take post test
Module 7	Take Pre-test Read chapter 13 and 15 Read Visual Summary Review Power Point Presentation Video Case 8 Take post test
Module 8	Competency Final Project due by Noon on the 10th

 

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)

 

Dropping a course(s)

The last day to drop is April 25, 2018 with a W.  If you feel you need to drop schedule an appointment with Sarah Morrow, First Start IV Grant Coordinator, or Mallory Batts, Fast Start IV Success Coach, to discuss your concerns.  Sarah can be reached at 940-668-7731 ext. 4957 or email smorrow@nctc.edu. Mallory and be reached at 940-668-7731ext. 4965 or email mbatts@nctc.edu. After meeting with Sarah or Mallory, if you feel you still need to drop, please complete the necessary paperwork with the registrars’ office.    Again, the last day to withdraw from this course with a “W” is April 25, 2018.

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)

 

x 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

 

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:

1. First offense you will receive a written warning. 
2. Second offense you will be dropped from the course.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Dr. Cherly Furdge
Office Location:	Corinth Campus Suite 239 office 234
Telephone Number:	940-498-6238
E-mail Address:	cfurdge@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Debbie Huffman
Office Location:	Gainesville Career and Technical Center
Telephone Number:	940-668-3357
E-mail Address:	dhuffman@nctc.edu

 

 

Course Information

This course begins March 19, 2018 and ends May 11, 2018.  This course is designed as a self-paced course.  There are no weekly deadlines.  However, it is highly encouraged that you log in at least four-five times a week to work on assignments.  To assist with being successful and completing assignments in a timely manner, you can follow the example below:

 

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE

 

Instructions for all Assignments

 

Module Competency Post-Test

 

Must score 80 or higher on module post-test

 

If you do not pass the pre-test with an 80 or higher, you will need to complete the assignments in the module and take the post test.  Module assignments are used to help you prepare for the post test, they will not count towards your final grade. There will be some assignments in the associated with the competency project. (See Module Competency Assignments). It will be to your advantage to complete all assignments.  It is important that you use all module assignments as tools and read, study and take notes before taking the post test.  You will ONLY have three chances.  If you have not successfully passed the post-test after your second attempt, you MUST schedule a meeting with your instructor before the third attempt.  Failing to do so may result in you failing that module.  Once the test is submitted, you will only see your score, not the questions you missed.

 

The chapters associated with the test are listed in each module.  The exam questions may be essay, multiple choice, or true and false questions. The format of the exam will be in the exam instruction sections.  If the exam consists of essay questions, you will have 60 minutes to complete the assessment. The essay portion of the exam will be graded within 24 hours. If the exam consists of all multiple choice and true and false, you will have 40 minutes to complete the assessment. 

 

Again, you will have three chances to complete the post test. If you have not passed the post-test by the second try, you MUST meet with the instructor.  In order to move to the next module, you must score at least an 80 or higher on each module post-test.   You cannot make less than 80 on the module post-test.

 

Module Competency Assignments

Some modules will have assignments associate with your course competency project.  The project is broken down in parts.  Once you complete a part of the project, the instructor will provide you with feedback and possibly suggest some corrections.  It is important that you adhere to the feedback and make the corrections to ensure you are successful on your Course Competency Project.

 

Respondus Lockdown

You must download the respondus lock down browser in order to access the exams and quizzes.  All exams and quizzes are protected by this browser.  If you have problems downloading it, please contact Canvas support immediately. 

 

Learning Communities

 

You will see a module labeled “Learning Community”.  The learning community is designed for you to ask general questions about different topics.  You will see discussion forums in the learning community. One forum will be labeled “Ask the Professor.”  This forum will be used to ask the professor any questions you may have about assignments.  DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GRADE.  Questions about your grade must be discussed privately with the instructor.  The other discussion forums in the learning community will be labeled with specific topics related the chapters.  Participating in the discussions about a specific topic may be beneficial when taking your post assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

Video Case Assignments (No Grade)

 

You will complete a total of 6 video case scenarios. You will watch the scenario and take a short quiz 5 question quiz afterwards. You will have only one chance to take the quiz. You must read the scenario and watch the video first. The videos are approximately 3-5 minutes long.

 

Course Competency Project Due by 12:00 P.M Noon on the 10th

 

Part 1

Paper (50 Points)

1. You will write a three page paper. The paper will be organized as follows: In two no less than 3 pages, you will explain how the criminal justice system was developed. In other words, discuss the history of the criminal justice system. Also, explain how the criminal justice system is different in contemporary society from that of the past.
2. In a five paragraph essay, explain the difference between the adult system and juvenile system.

Part 2 (50 Points)

1. List and explain the 13 steps to the criminal justice process. Do not write this in paragraph form. They must be listed and discussed
2. What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor? List the types of felonies in Texas, give the punishment for each type and give an example of the 5 types of felonies. List types of misdemeanors in Texas, give the punishment associated with each one, and example of each type of misdemeanor?  

 

 

Part 3 (50 points)

You are to research information related to the three parts of the criminal justice system which include the police, courts, and corrections.  Part 1 of this assignment is related to Texas (state) only. Part 2 is Federal. The purpose of the assignment is so you will be familiar with your local agencies and some aspect of the federal system.

 While conducting research, the following questions should be answered:

 Police

 1. What is the difference between a state trooper, state police, sheriff, college campus police officer, game warden, and a correctional officer?

 2. Who is the chief of police in Denton, Corinth, Gainesville, Lewisville, Dallas, Plano, and NCTC? Please do not depend solely on the internet to answer this question. The information may not be updated. (List the department the chief beside it).

 3. When was the North Central Texas College Police Department established?

 4. You are to interview one Police Officer?

 Corrections

1. When was Texas Department of Criminal Justice established? What is the name of the unit in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that is responsible for making license plates and decals? What unit houses death row men? What unit house death row women? What unit is used to carry out executions? How many people were executed in the state of Texas in 2016? How many have been executed in 2017?

 2. Discuss in five or more sentences four rehabilitation programs available in The Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Each facility must be discussed in g or more        sentences. (2 for men facilities and 2 for women facilities)

 3. Who is the Executive Director the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?

 4. Who are the Sheriff and Chief Deputy Sheriff in Denton, Dallas, and Cooke County?

 5. You are to interview at least one person who works in corrections?

 Courts

1. Where is the Texas Supreme Court located?

2. How many chief justice and justices are there on the Texas Supreme Court? Who are they?

3. Name a prosecuting attorney for Denton, Dallas, and Cooke County?

4. What is the Texas Court Structure? (Find the chart, copy and paste it)

5.  You are to interview a judge or an attorney.

 

Part 4 (50 Points)

 1. How many United States Supreme Court Justices are there, including the Chief Justice?

  Who are they and when were they sworn into office?

 2. What is the highest court of the land?

 3. What is used by the Supreme Court Justices when voting to accept a case in the United States Supreme Courts? Explain the rule.

 4. What is the difference between a federal crime and a state crime?

 Note: This project is to be typed with a font size of 12. Type each question in bold print and the answer in regular print. EACH INTERVIEW SHOULD BE IN THE ASSIGNED SECTION. DO NOT COMBINED ALL INTERVIEWS TOGETHER. For example, the interview for a police officer should be in the section with police. Each section should be on a separate page. For example, once you have finish discussing police, start a new sheet for corrections and so on. Give each section a heading with the heading being at the top and centered. The project should be uploaded in the digital drop box as one document. No assignment will be accepted via email. Do not save this document as a pdf. Upload it as a word document.

 

Instructor’s Information

 

Office Hours

If you need to meet with me during a time that is not listed in the syllabus, please feel free to schedule an appointment.

 

Contacting the Instructor

You may contact the instructor via email or by calling the numbers listed in this syllabus. Again, do not send a text to the cell phone number asking general questions.  You will not get a response.  Please use the CANVAS email to ask general questions.  

 

Texting: The only time you should send a text is when you are attempting to access an exam or quiz and you do not see it or it will not open.

 

Emails

Emails must be sent through Canvas.  You should not email the instructor from your personal email nor should you email the instructor using the instructors NCTC email address. 

 

All emails will be responded to within 24 hours.  Again, emails should be used to ask all questions.  Also, if you need to schedule an appointment to meet, please do so by sending an email.

 

Online Conferences

Private online conferences must be scheduled.  If you are having issues understanding the reading assignments, please feel free to schedule a time to meet with the instructor or post your question in the forum located in the module labeled “Ask the Professor.”