NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Introduction to Criminal Justice – Spring 2021, 2nd 8 Weeks

Course Prefix & Number: 

CRIJ 1301

Section Number: 

0341

Semester/Year:

SP21

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), V2.0. 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. BEFORE PURCHASING BOOK OR ACCESS, VIEW THE REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE FROM CENGAGE-MINDTAP:

https://startstrong.cengage.com/mindtap-canvas-ia-no/?channel=eloqua&elq_mid=11375&elq_nm=Tracked%20Email&elq_cid=7113504&utm_medium=email&utm_source=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=

             

 

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

 

 

 

 

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 (causes) 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 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

20%

1

Final Exam

20%

 

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)

2 Chapters per Week

25%

14 Chapter Exams. These will be completed through MindTap)

2 Chapters per Week

25%

Midterm Exam, 50 multiple choice questions, 60min. This exam will be in Canvas. Covers Ch. 1-6.

April 7th – April 9th    

20%

Critical Thinking Project

April 23rd, 2021

10%

Final Exam, 100 multiple choice questions. You have 110 minutes. This exam will be in Canvas. Ch. 7-12, 14, 15.

Finals Week

May 10th – 12th, 2021

20%

 

GRADING CRITERIA

90%-100%                   A

80%-89%                     B

70%-79%                     C

60%-69%                     D

59% and below          F

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 26th, 2021.

 

It is your responsibility to make sure the computer and internet connection you are using is reliable.  I cannot help with technical issues nor can I help if your network stalls.  These are all technical issues.  I can only help if the exam or quiz is not available when it should be.   I recommend Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

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.           March 22 – March 28

Read Chapter 1, The Criminal Justice System

Read Chapter 2, Crime and Crime Causation

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #1, and exams Chapters 1 and 2 due by March 28 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 2.           March 29 – April 4

Read Chapter 3, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law

Read Chapter 4, Police

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #2, and exams Chapters 3 and 4 due by April 4 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 3.           April 5 – April 11

Read Chapter 5, Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges

Read Chapter 6, Police and Law

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Exams Chapters 5 and 6 due April 11 by, 11:59 pm

 

Midterm exam, chapters 1-6, April 7th, – April 9th, by 11:59 pm.

 

Week 4.           April 12 – April 18

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, Writing Review #3, and Exams Chapters 7 and 8 due April 18 by, 11:59 pm

 

Week 5.           April 19 – April 25

Read Chapter 9, Punishment and Sentencing

Read Chapter 10, Corrections

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, Writing Review #4, and Exams Chapters 9 and 10 due April 25 by, 11:59 pm

 

Semester Critical Thinking Project Due No Later Than April 23rd, 11:59 pm

 

 

Week 6.           April 26th – May 2

Read Chapter 11, Incarceration and Prison Society

Read Chapter 12, Probation and Intermediate Sanctions

Review Power Point lecture/Class Discussion

Homework, and Exams Chapters 11 and 12 due May 2 by, 11:59 pm

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 26th, 2021

 

 

Week 7.           May 3 – May 9

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 May 9 by, 11:59 pm

 

 

Week 8.           May 10 – May 15

Finals Week

Final Exam opens May 10 at 8 am and closes May 12 at 11:59 pm.

 

 

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)

 

XX         Critical Thinking

XX    Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

XX         Personal Responsibility

XX         Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

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

o        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

 

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

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