NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:    Introduction to Criminal Justice

Course prefix, number, and section number:  CRIJ 1301 0340

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2022

Semester start and end dates:  1/18/2022 – 5/14/2022

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid):  Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times:  Online

Lab meeting location, days, and times:  Online

Semester credit hours:  3

Course description:  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 prerequisites:  None

Required course materials:  Criminal Justice in America (10th 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.

Name of instructor:  Gary Knight

Office location: N/A

Telephone number:  972-677-8890

E-mail address:  geknight@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Monday and Wednesday 10:00 am – 12:00 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:

Weekly assignments (15 Weeks)                                20%

15 Chapter Exams                                                       20%

Professional Communication Discussion Board         10%

Critical Thinking Project                                              10%

Midterm Exam                                                            20%

Final Exam                                                                   20%

Final grade scale: 

90%-100%                   A

80%-89%                     B

70%-79%                     C

60%-69%                     D

59% and below          F

Late work policy:

There is no extra credit available. Your grade will be based on the above graded elements listed. There are no makeup assignments. If you miss an exam for a documented approved medical reason, you will be allowed to complete the exam.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic
falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and
collusion.  Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
1) The student will receive a failing grade of "O" on the assignment. If the assignment is within a
group in which the lowest assignment is dropped, the assignment will not be able to count as a
dropped score. It will count as part of the grade.
2) A "Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form" will be submitted regarding the incident
3) Student may be dropped from the course with a failing grade (letter grade of “F”)

Attendance Policy:  Attendance for this class will be demonstrated by your completion of assignments.

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 4, 2022

Student Learning Outcomes: 

At the 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

1. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Personal Responsibility

Social Responsibility

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