MidAmerica
Nazarene University
Criminal Justice
Police in America
Criminal Justice 2003
3 Credit Hours
Spring 2011
Professor: Pat Hinkle, MA, LPC, LMFT
Class Day/Time: Tue/Thu; 12:15-1:30
Office Hours: By Appointment
Building/Class Room: Metz 211
Office Location: Metz 207
Office Phone: 913-438-2100
Cell Phone: 913-927-2402
Fax: 913-438-2119
E-mail: Pat@HinkleAssociatesLLC.com
Course Description
This course is designed to present students with an overview of the field of law
enforcement in the United States. Students will be exposed to the numerous complexities
inherent in policing and the attempts to professionalize it. Historical foundations as well
as current trends are explored to provide a detailed and clear picture of law enforcement.
Text
Walker, S. & Katz, C. (2011). The police in america: An introduction (7th ed.). New
York: McGraw-Hill
Current research and other resource materials will also be included in the course
content.
Course Requirements
1. Exams. A total of four examinations will be given covering class lectures, class
discussions, audio visual presentations, and any additional assignments. Each test carries
the same weight of 100 points, including the final. Fifty percent of the final is
comprehensive. Examinations will consist of multiple choice and true/false style
questions.
For a make-up test, the student must provide a proper reason and make arrangements to
take the test before the next class period. If the student does not notify the professor prior
to the scheduled time of the test, or fails to make proper arrangements, the instructor has
the option of downgrading the test score. Extra credit is not an option.
2. Written Assignments. Various written assignments will be made during the semester.
These may include, but are not limited to: discussion questions, reading assignments, and
summary/reaction papers. These assignments will require a significant amount of
reasoning and independent thought and will be graded on content and writing style. The
cumulative value of these assignments will be 100 points. These assignments must be
electronically delivered through the use of Moodle.
3. Class Participation. Students are substantially responsible for participating in class
discussions. This involves engaging the professor and other students in the critical
exploration of class concepts as well as the sharing of independent thought. In order to
sustain a high level of class discussion it is vitally important that students be prepared to
participate by completing readings and assignments on schedule. Class participation is
evaluated by the professor and will be worth a total of 25 points. Improper use of
electronic devices during class, such as texting and checking email, will result in loss of
points.
4. Attendance Policy (see MNU Catalog, page 28). For every unexcused absence,
beginning with the fourth, the student’s final grade will be reduced by 15 points. For
purposes of this attendance policy only, students who are more than 15 minutes late for a
given class period, or leave a class period more than 10 minutes early, will be counted as
absent for that class period. Excused absences consist of serious illness or unavoidable
circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the professor as soon as
possible concerning any foreseeable absences and to turn in assignments at the regularly
set deadlines. Whether an absence is deemed excused or unexcused rests solely upon the
discretion of the professor.
5. Late Assignments. All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class or that
assignment will be deemed as late. Each late assignment will be reduced by 10 points per
day the assignment is late. For example, if an assignment is due midday on Tuesday and
the student turns in the assignment after the class period began, but before 5pm, that
student’s grade on the assignment will be reduced by 10 points. If the student turns the
assignment in after 5pm or on the following Wednesday, the grade will be reduced by 20
points.
Grade Weight
Four exams, 100 points each (4x100)
Written Assignments
Class Participation
Total
Percentage Range
94-100 %
90-93
87-89
84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
60-69
59 or lower
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
400
100
25
525
Academic Integrity
All work is expected to be the student’s own. No credit will be given for assignments or
exams that have been plagiarized. Cheating and other dishonest behavior will result in an
F for the assignment and will be reported to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Cheating may result in failure for the course and/or dismissal from the University.
Citizenship
Students are expected to display appropriate levels of respect and courtesy. This includes
turning off cell phones. If a cell phone rings during class, the student will lose points.
Students are not allowed to surf the internet while in class. If a student uses a computer
for purposes other than note-taking, the student will lose points. The professor reserves
the right to ask students violating this policy to leave class. If this occurs, the student will
be deemed as absent. Additionally, the professor reserves the right to substantially
reduce the final grade of students violating this policy.
Examples of unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to use of cell phones, use
of any headphone devices, reading newspapers, sleeping, performing homework from
other classes, or inappropriate use of lap tops.
Special Needs
Students needing special accommodations for this class should notify the professor
during the first 2 weeks of the course.
Significant Dates (tentative)
2/8
Exam 1 on chapters 1-3
3/8
Exam 2 on chapters 4-8
4/7
Exam 3 on chapters 9-12
5/5
Final Exam 50% on chapters 13-15; 50% is cumulative