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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
CJK 485 – Criminology – Spring 2016
Instructor: Tammy E. Bracewell, Ph.D.
COURSE AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Class Location:
 Founder’s Hall, Room 311
Class Duration:

January 19 – May 13, 2015
Class Time:
 Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45
Office Hours: FH 217M, Wednesdays from 10-2, Thursdays from 12:15-2:15, or by appt.
Phone: 254-519-5441
Email:
 bt500air@tamuct.edu
 Please direct all email communication through this email. This class will also have
Blackboard accessibility, however I will check email more frequently.
 When emailing, always identify yourself and what course you are in. In general,
when communicating electronically you should use complete sentences and be very
clear about what you are asking or saying to avoid miscommunication.
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MODE OF INSTRUCTION AND COURSE ACCESS
This course is web-enhanced and uses the TAMUCT Blackboard system. To be able to
successfully complete this course, the student must be able to access Blackboard.
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STUDENT-INSTRUCTOR INTERACTION
This is primarily a lecture/discussion-based class, with some web-based components. Most
communication between the instructor and students will be in the classroom, though all
students are able to schedule a telephone conference or meet with me during office hours.
I will check and reply to student emails on a daily basis – students should expect a response
within 24 hours. Any deviations from this will be announced on Blackboard. Checking
blackboard frequently is important as this is where any class announcements will be
posted.
There will be a discussion board available for students to post general questions that will be
checked and responded to on a regular basis – students should expect a response within 48
hours. This is highly recommended for general questions (for example, what chapters will
be covered on an exam), so that all students in the class may benefit from the answers.
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
_____________________________________________________________________________
COURSE INFORMATION
I. Catalog Description: Policing. (3-0)
II. Expanded Course Description:
III. Course Objectives:
This course presents an overview of the functions and evolution of law enforcement in the
United States. Specifically, you should leave class with a thorough understanding of several
aspects of law enforcement, including the following areas:
1. The origins and history of law enforcement in the United States
2. Current structure of American law enforcement, including issues such as the
increase in female and minority law enforcement officers
3. Organizational distinctions between various law enforcement agencies
4. Police-citizen relations and their influence on citizens’ perceptions of crime and
police effectiveness
5. Police training, career advancement, and culture
6. The influence of the media in shaping citizens’ perception of law enforcement
7. Police discretion and laws/policies that influence discretion
8. Corruption and measures of police accountability
9. The future of American law enforcement
IV. Required Textbooks:
Archbold, Carol A. (2012). Policing: A Text/Reader. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications.
ISBN # 9781412993692
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REQUIRED COURSE WORK
Non-Graded Requirements
I. Reading
Reading assignments are to be completed prior to class meetings (see course calendar).
You are expected to be familiar enough with the readings to apply the material to class
discussions as well as to respond to written and oral questions based on the readings. We
will not spend class time going over the book, per se. Readings and lectures for this course
are complementary
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
Graded Requirements
I. In class assignments (10 at 10 points each/100 points)
10 IN CLASS assignments will be given out throughout the semester. You must be present
in class to complete the assignment. If you miss a class when an assignment is given there is
NO opportunity to make up the assignment. The assignments will cover required reading
material. Therefore, if you properly prepare for the class you should have no problem
completing these assignments.
I. Critical Thinking Essays (100 points each/200points total)
Students will be responsible for completing two (2) critical thinking assignments. The dates
for the assignments to be posted and the due dates are listed in the course calendar. These
assignments will engage the student in applying theories to criminal, delinquent, and
deviant behavior.
Requirements for writing assignments:
 5-7 pages in length; double-spaced; 12-pt. font; Ariel or New Times Roman. The
length does not include cover page or reference page.
 Grammatically correct and free from proofreading errors
 Paragraph, narrative format
 Must be completed in Microsoft Word and attached in the Assignment section of
Blackboard
 Must adhere to APA format
 Minimum of three ACADEMIC sources per paper. One source can be your text book,
you must locate two additional sources.
 Essays MUST be submitted via blackboard.
Grading Criteria for Critical Thinking Essays:
Qualities & Criteria
Format/Layout
 Presentation of the text
 Structuring of text
 Requirements of length,
font, and style
 APA style
(Weight: 20%)
Content
 Elements of topics to be
addressed
 Information is correct
 Coherency
(Weight: 40%)
Poor
Follows poorly the
requirements related
to format and layout.
Good
Mostly follows the
requirements related to
format and layout.
Excellent
Closely follows all the
requirements related to
format and layout.
(0-14pts)
Essay is not objective
and poorly addresses
the issues. The
information provided is
unnecessary or
insufficient to discuss
the issues.
(15-17)
Essay is mostly objective
and addresses most of
the issues. Provided
information is mostly
necessary and sufficient
to discuss the issues.
(25-35 pts)
(18-20 pts)
Essay is objective and
addresses all the issues.
Provided information is
necessary and sufficient
to discuss the issues.
(0-24pts)
(36-40 pts)
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
Quality of Writing
 Clarity
 Grammar and English
usage
 Organization and
coherence
Essay is poorly written
and contains flagrant
spelling and
grammatical errors.
Essay is poorly
organized, lacks clarity,
and incoherent.
Essay is mostly wellwritten, without spelling
or grammatical errors.
Essay is well organized,
is clear, and ideas are
presented in coherent
ways.
(15-17 pts)
Essay is well-written,
without spelling or
grammatical errors.
Essay is well organized,
clear, and ideas are
presented in coherent
ways.
(0-14 pts)
(Weight: 20%)
Citations, References, & Style
 APA style
 Sources correctly cited
regarding content of
sources
Essay fails to follow
APA guidelines and
sources are incorrectly
cited for content
expressed in sources.
(0-14 pts)
Essay mostly follows
APA guidelines and
sources are (mostly)
cited correctly for
content.
(15-17 pts)
(Weight: 20%)
(18-20 pts)
Essay follows APA
guidelines and sources
are correctly cited for
content.
(18-20 pts)
II. Exams (100 points each/300 points total)
There will be three (3) non-cumulative exams in this course. The format of the exams may
include a variety of question types, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short
essay. Exams may contain questions from the book, from other materials provided by the
instructor, from discussions, and from writing assignments.
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OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE COURSE
I. Late assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted. Students are given all
assignments at the beginning of the semester. Therefore, it is up to you to ensure they are
completed AND submitted on time.
EXAMS: If something arises to where you must miss an exam you will be given an
opportunity to make the exam up. This is subject to the following limitations: ONLY one
exam may be made up, regardless of circumstances and ALL make-up exams will take place
on the final day of class, after the final exam. Please keep in mind that the make-up exam
will be different from the original exam.
II. Supplementary Material: Additional information may be given during class times that
supplement the topics to be addressed. Supplementary material may take the form of
handouts, oral presentations and references from your instructor, presentations by
students, power point presentations, and online activities. This supplementary material is
designed to broaden the educational experience and create more variety to the usual
lecture/discussion format of class presentations. If you miss a class, please do not ask me if
you missed anything important. You should get with another student and ask about notes.
III. Extra Credit: Extra credit is not available in this class.
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
IV. Note: As in many Criminal Justice and Social Science courses, the issues of racial and
ethnic diversity must be considered part of the course content. In addition, topics may
come up in class that not everyone will be comfortable with or agree upon. Civility and
courtesy to everyone in the class, including the instructor, is expected. Incivility or
discourtesy to anyone in the class will not be tolerated and may result in your expulsion
from the classroom.
V. Posting of Grades: All student grades will be posted in the Blackboard grade book and
students should monitor their grading status through this tool.
VI. Grading Criteria Rubric and Conversion:
Final course grades will be assessed on the following scale:
Assignment
Points
My Grade
Exam 1
100 points
Exam 2
100 points
Exam 3
100 points
Essay 1
100 points
Essay 2
100 points
In class assignments 100
Total
600
537-600 points A
477-536 points B
417-476 points C
357-416 points D
0-356 points
F
At the end of the semester there will be NO curve and no extra points given. It is up to
YOU to ensure you have the grade you want.
COURSE CALENDAR
Subject to revision, if necessary, during the semester
Date
Jan 19
Jan 21
Jan 26
Jan 28
Feb 2
Feb 4
Feb 9
Description
Course expectations/Syllabus
Personal introductions
Plagiarism,
Overview of Policing & history
Progressing Beyond
Traditional Policing
Progressing Beyond
Traditional Policing
The Scope of American Law
Enforcement
The Scope of American Law
Enforcement
Police Officers and Police
Reading/Assignments
Section 1 pgs 1-45
Section 2 pgs 45-56
Readings pgs 57-84
Section 3 pgs 85-102
Readings pgs 103-124
Section 4 pgs 125-137
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
Feb 11
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 23
Feb 25
Mar 1
Mar 3
Culture
Police Officers and Police
Culture
Career Paths of Police Officers
Career Paths of Police Officers
EXAM 1
Essay 1 DUE
Police Organization and
Leadership
Police Organization and
Leadership
Patrol, Investigations, and
Innovations in Technology
Readings pgs 138-164
Section 5 pgs 165-177
Readings pgs 178-208
Section 6 pgs 209-225
Readings pgs 226-245
Section 7 pgs 246-258
Mar 8
Patrol, Investigations, and
Innovations in Technology
Readings pgs 259-282
Mar 10
Police Effectiveness
Section 8 pgs 283-295
Mar 15
SPRING BREAK
Mar 17
SPRING BREAK
Mar 22
Police Effectiveness
Mar 24
Mar 29
EXAM 2
Essay 2 DUE
NO CLASS
Mar 31
NO CLASS
Apr 5
Citizens and the Police
Section 10 pgs 369-382
Apr 7
Citizens and the Police
Readings pgs 383-401
Apr 12
Discretion and the Police
Section 11 pgs 402-415
Apr 14
Discretion and the Police
Readings pgs 416-436
Apr 19
Police Deviance and Ethics
Section 12 pgs 437-452
Apr 21
Police Deviance and Ethics
Readings pgs 453-464
Apr 26
Section 13 pgs 476-492
May 3
Policing in the Present &
Future
Policing in the Present &
Future
Catch-up day
May 5
Review
May 10
FINAL EXAM
Apr 28
May 12
Readings pgs 296-327
Readings pgs 493-520
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
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TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the
Internet.
Technology Requirements. Include a statement on the technology requirements for
the successful completion of the course and when applicable, information on how to
access these resources (for example, how to obtain a certain software through
University site license). If the course includes use of Blackboard, include instructions
about technology:
This course will use the TAMUCT Blackboard Learn learning management system.
Logon to https://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course.
Username: Your MyCT username
(xx123 or everything before the "@" in your MyCT e-mail address)
Initial password: Your MyCT password
Check browser and computer compatibility by using the “Test Your Browser”
button, found in the “Check Your Browser” module on your Blackboard dashboard,
once you have logged in.
Technology Support. For technology issues, students should contact Help Desk
Central.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Email: helpdesk@tamu.edu
Phone: (254) 519-5466
Web Chat: http://hdc.tamu.edu
When calling for support please let your support technician know you are a TAMUCT
student.
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
I.
Academic Integrity
Texas A&M University -Central Texas values the integrity of the academic enterprise
and strives for the highest standards of academic conduct. A&M-Central Texas expects
its students, faculty, and staff to support the adherence to high standards of personal and
scholarly conduct to preserve the honor and integrity of the creative community.
Academic integrity is defined as a commitment to honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and
responsibility. Any deviation by students from this expectation may result in a failing
grade for the assignment and potentially a failing grade for the course. Academic
misconduct is any act that improperly affects a true and honest evaluation of a student’s
academic performance and includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or
other academic work, plagiarism and improper citation of sources, using another
student’s work, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. All academic misconduct
concerns will be reported to the university’s Office of Student Conduct. Ignorance of the
university’s standards and expectations is never an excuse to act with a lack of integrity.
When in doubt on collaboration, citation, or any issue, please contact your instructor
before taking a course of action.
II.
Disability Support Services
At Texas A&M University – Central Texas, we value an inclusive learning environment
where every student has an equal chance to succeed and has the right to an education that
is barrier-free. The Office of Disability Support and Access is responsible for ensuring
that students with a disability enjoy equal access to the University's programs, services
and activities. Some aspects of this course or the way the course is taught may present
barriers to learning due to a disability. If you feel this is the case, please contact
Disability Support and Access at (254) 501-5836 in Warrior Hall, Ste. 212. For more
information, please visit their website at
http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/disabilitysupport/index
Any information you provide is private and confidential and will be treated as such.
III.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects
tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors
are available at the Tutoring Center in Warrior Hall, Suite 111. Visit
www.tamuct.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and
contact information. If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you
are interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5836.
Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an
online tutoring platform that enables TAMUCT students to log-in and receive FREE
online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing,
Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. To access
Tutor.com, click on http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/academicsupport/tutoring.php.
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
IV.
University Library.
The University Library provides many services in support of research across campus and at
a distance. We offer over 200 electronic databases containing approximately 250,000
eBooks and 82,000 journals, in addition to the 72,000 items in our print collection, which
can be mailed to students who live more than 50 miles from campus. Research guides for
each subject taught at TAMUCT are available through our website to help students navigate
these resources. On-campus, the library offers technology including cameras, laptops,
microphones, webcams, and digital sound recorders.
Research assistance from a librarian is also available twenty-four hours a day through our
online chat service, and at the reference desk when the library is open. Research sessions
can be scheduled for more comprehensive assistance, and may take place on Skype or inperson at the library. Assistance may cover many topics, including how to find articles in
peer-reviewed journals, how to cite resources, and how to piece together research for
written assignments.
Our 27,000-square-foot facility on the TAMUCT main campus includes student lounges,
private study rooms, group work spaces, computer labs, family areas suitable for all ages,
and many other features. Services such as interlibrary loan, TexShare, binding, and
laminating are available. The library frequently offers workshops, tours, readings, and other
events. For more information, please visit our homepage: http://tamuct.libguides.com/
V.
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask
for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the
responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form
must be returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records
office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Warrior Web and confirm that you are no longer
enrolled. Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately? You
are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you
miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
VI.
UNILERT
Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas the
ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email, text message,
and social media. All students are automatically enrolled in UNILERT through their myCT email
account. Connect at www.TAMUCT.edu/UNILERT to change where you receive your alerts or to
opt out. By staying enrolled in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related
information, regardless of your location.
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CJK 485 – Spc Top-Policing – Spring 2016
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
I. Attendance
Attendance on a regular basis and participation in class discussions is expected. it is to your
benefit to show up to class regularly; often, I will be introducing material that is not covered
in any of your assigned readings, yet such material will be instrumental in your ability to
successfully fulfill the other course requirements. I have observed a direct correlation over
the years between class attendance and course grade; those that attend class regularly often
have higher grades than those who rarely or sporadically attend – something to think about.
Just as an employer expects you to come to work, I expect you to come to class. If you need
to be absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes from another
student; it is not the instructor’s responsibility to provide this material to you.
II. Conduct
Mastery of course content is greatly enhanced through professional conduct in the
classroom. You will be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times in
this class. Professionalism includes but is not limited to:
Punctuality – chronic lateness will not be tolerated. If you need to leave class early,
please do so as quietly and with as little disruption as possible.
As in any Criminal Justice and Social Science course, the issues of racial and ethnic
diversity must be considered part of the course content. In addition, topics may come
up in class that not everyone will be comfortable with or agree upon. Civility and
courtesy to everyone in the class, including the instructor, is expected. Incivility or
discourtesy to anyone in the class will not be tolerated and may result in your
expulsion from the classroom.
Use of tobacco products in the classroom or elsewhere in this building (including
smokeless tobacco) is a violation of Texas law.
It is inappropriate and unprofessional to listen to an iPod, mp3 player, or any other
such device in the classroom; this also includes Bluetooth headsets.
Please refrain from dressing in such a way as to be distracting to other students; the
classroom should be treated as a professional setting and your dress should reflect
this environment.
Unless you are “on-call” or dealing with some type of emergency, please turn off your
cell phones and other mobile devices during class; this includes ‘vibrate’. Having a cell
phone or pager in sight during an exam may be treated as a cheating incident
Tape recorders are not permitted in class nor is taking snapshots of presentations or
any other recording devices.
Eating and drinking is allowed; please clean up after yourself!
Do not sleep in my class!