NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Introduction to Criminal Justice – Fall 2020, Fall 2nd Week
Course Prefix & Number:		CRIJ 1301	Section Number:	0381	Semester/Year:	FA20
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent, and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes. 48 lecture hours.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required Course Materials: Criminal Justice in America (9th ED.) by George F. Cole and Christopher E. Smith (With MindTap). You must purchase the MindTap access code. You do not have to have the paper copy of the book as the textbook is included digitally with the MindTap access. WARNING – If you choose to purchase a book or rent a book, failure to use this edition is at your own risk.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Gary Knight
Campus/Office Location:
Telephone Number:	972-677-8890 – Google Voice Mail
E-mail Address:	geknight@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10 AM – 12 PM		10 AM – 12 PM

 

INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY

 

I do not have an office on campus. I will be available with specific ‘office hours’ Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 10 am – 12 pm online. All contact must be through the CANVAS email system. All emails will be answered within 24 hours. Emails received after 5pm on Fridays will be answered on Mondays. Under NO circumstances are you to email using your personal email to the instructor’s school email. You may contact me by calling the number listed in this syllabus. However, the only time you should call is if you are attempting to access a quiz or an exam and you do not see it, or it will not open.

 

The instructor is not available on Saturdays or Sundays.

 

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:
	Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system Explain the nature (causes) 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

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
14	Videos, Homework (You Decide, part 1 and 2), and Writing Reviews	25%
14	Chapter Exams	25%
1	Critical Thinking Project	10%
1	Midterm Exam	15%
1	Final Exam	15%

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

14 Chapter Videos, You Decide Part 1 and 2, and Writing Reviews. These will be completed through MindTap)	Weekly	25%
14 Chapter Exams. These will be completed through MindTap)	Weekly	25%
Midterm Exam, 50 multiple choice questions. You will have 45 minutes. This exam will be on Canvas, Lockdown Browser is required.	October 28th – November 1st	20%
Critical Thinking Project	November 20th, 2020	10%
Final Exam, 100 multiple choice questions. You have 100 minutes. This exam will be in Canvas, Lockdown Browser is required.	Finals Week December 7th – 9th, 2020	20%

 

GRADING CRITERIA

90%-100%                   A

80%-89%                     B

70%-79%                     C

60%-69%                     D

59% and below          F

 

 

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered 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 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)

Unless prior arrangements have been made (via email or in person, at least a week before the scheduled due date) assignments/tests may not be accepted.  

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 23^rd, 2020.

 

 

NOTE: This is a ‘tentative’ schedule and can be altered by the instructor as needed. You will be notified of any changes in advance.

 

Week 1.           October 19 – October 25

Read Chapter 1, The Criminal Justice System

Read Chapter 2, Crime and Crime Causation

Read Chapter 3, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #1, and exams Chapters 1 – 3 due by October 25 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 2.           October 26 – October November 1

Read Chapter 4, Police

Read Chapter 5, Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges

Read Chapter 6, Police and Law

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #2, and exams Chapters 4 – 6 due by November 1 by, 11:59 pm

Midterm exam, chapters 1-6, October 28^th – November 1^st, by 11:59 pm.

 

Week 3.           November 2 – November 8

Read Chapter 7, Courts and Adjudication

Read Chapter 8, Pre-trial Procedures, Plea Bargaining and the Criminal Trial

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Exams Chapters 7 and 8 due November 8 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 4.           November 9 – November 15

Read Chapter 9, Punishment and Sentencing

Read Chapter 10, Corrections

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #3, and Exams Chapters 9 and 10 due November 15, 11:59 pm

 

Week 5.           November 16 – November 22

Read Chapter 11, Incarceration and Prison Society

Read Chapter 12, Probation and Intermediate Sanctions

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #4, and Exams Chapters 11and 12 due November 22 by, 11:59 pm

Semester Critical Thinking Project Due No Later Than November 22^nd, 11:59 pm

 

Week 6.           November 23 – November 27

Free Week

NCTC Thanksgiving Break November 25 – November 27

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 23^rd, 2020

 

Week 7.           November 30 – December 6

Read Chapter 14, Technology and Criminal Justice

Read Chapter 15, Juvenile Justice

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #5, and Exams Chapters 14 – 15 due by December 6 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 8.           December 7 – December 9

Finals Week

Final Exam opens December 7 at 8 am and closes December 9 at 11:59 pm.

 

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

XX         Critical Thinking

XX    Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

o           Teamwork

XX         Personal Responsibility

XX         Social Responsibility

 

 

XX         Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

o        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

GRADE APPEALS

If a student wishes to appeal their grade, the procedure to do so is in the Student Handbook located here:

https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/academic-policies/grades-reports/student-grade-appeal.html

 

INCOMPLETE GRADE

Students seeking an incomplete grade can find the procedure here:

https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/academic-policies/grades-reports/incomplete-grades.html

 

CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJORS

 

The capstone for the Criminal Justice Basic Certificate is a comprehensive program exam with a score of 70% or higher.  Exam must be scheduled with the Department Chair upon completion of a certificate.

 

The capstone requirement for the AAS Degree in Criminal Justice is CJSA2388 Criminal Justice Internship.   It should be taken the last semester before graduation. This course may not be substituted.

 

Students seeking a Criminal Justice Certificate can find the capstone requirement here:

https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/curricula-career-technical-education/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-level-1-workforce-certificate.html

 

Students seeking a Criminal Justice AAS, can find the capstone requirement here:

https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/Curricula-Career-and-Technical-Education/Law-Enforcement-Degree.html

 

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 – Failure on assignment.
2.  Second offense – fail class.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Dr. Cherly Gary-Furdge
Office Location:	Suite 239 Office 234 Corinth Campus
Telephone Number:	940-498-6238 or 972-922-7978
E-mail Address:	cfurdge@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Debbie Huffman
Office Location:	Gainesville Career Technology Building
Telephone Number:	940-668-3357
E-mail Address:	dhuffman@nctc.edu

 

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2020

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html