Roanoke College
Professor Morgan Scott
Office hours: MW 12:00-1:00 or by appointment
email: mscott@roanoke.edu
Classroom- Fintel 1
Office: West 223
Phone: 375-2228
Block 2: MWF 9:40-10:40a.m
SYLLABUS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE (POLI/CJUS 211A)
Spring 2015
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student who successfully completes this course should have a better understanding of the
following:
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The development of the American Criminal Justice system (i.e., historical perspective)
How it operates (i.e., its Administration)
Law Enforcement
a. Organizations
b. Procedures
Current issues and topics in criminal justice
Politics and criminal justice
Career options in law enforcement
Operations and decision making in criminal justice
Be able to orally and in written form effectively present with Powerpoint or other aids (if
necessary) an analysis of an important criminal justice issue
REQUIRED TEXT
Cole, George F. and Christopher E. Smith, Criminal Justice in America, 7th Ed., Cengage, 2011.
ISBN: 978-1-285-06766.
Scott, Gregory M. & S. M. Garrison. The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual. 7th Ed.,
Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2012.
Additional class handouts and on-reserve videos, if necessary.
GRADING
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Class participation and attendance
Test
Test 2 (written)
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
15%
20%
15%
20%
30%
GRADING SCALE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
Test 2
This is a take home written project which requires the student to research and independently
answer several questions dealing with criminal justice issues. The student is will utilize resources
beyond the text. Gregory M. Scott & S. M. Garrison. The Political Science Student Writer’s
Manual. 7th Ed., Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2012 must be used as the guide to
proper citations and format. A copy is on reserve for your use in the Library.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to follow the integrity policy detailed in the handbook Academic Integrity
at Roanoke College. Additionally, if you are ever uncertain as to how the College’s policy
pertains to any assignment or exam in this course, please ask me for clarification. The bottom
line is that all work that a student submits for a grade must be solely the work of that student
unless the instructor has given explicit permission for students to work together.
Please familiarize yourself with Roanoke College’s Academic Integrity System which can be
found in the Student Handbook. Pay special attention to the discussion on plagiarism. It is your
responsibility to know the rules regarding Academic Integrity.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
All electronic devices must be turned off prior to entering the classroom. Any use of such
devices during a quiz or exam will be considered a breach of academic integrity. Should a cell
phone ring during class, the first offense will result in the offender buying donuts for the entire
class. The second offense will result in the offender being excused from class.
THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES, located in the Goode-Pasfield
Center for Learning and Teaching in Fintel Library, provides reasonable accommodations to
students with identified disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided based on the
diagnosed disability and the recommendations of the professional evaluator. In order to be
considered for disability services, students must identify themselves to the Office of Disability
Support Services. Students requesting accommodations are required to provide specific current
documentation of their disabilities. Please contact Rick Robers, M.A., Coordinator of Disability
Support Services, at 540-375-2247 or e-mail robers@roanoke.edu.
If you are on record with the College's Office of Disability Support Services as having academic
or physical needs requiring accommodations, please schedule an appointment with Mr. Robers as
soon as possible. You need to discuss your accommodations with him before they can be
implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended time on exams, testing, and
quizzes in a distraction-reduced environment must be made at least one week before every exam.
SUBJECT TUTORING is coordinated by Shannon McNeal at The Center for Learning &
Teaching. Tutoring sessions are held Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Subject Tutoring
offers assistance in two formats:
Walk-In Tutoring: Walk-in tutoring is offered in a group setting for our most popular subjects:
INQ 240, Math 111 - 121, Spanish 101-201, Italian 101-201, French 101-201, Biology INQ-125,
Chemistry INQ - 222, and BUAD 215-225. Students may spend up to 1.5 hours with the tutor, or
simply pop-in to ask a quick question. Regularly scheduled groups will be offered, Sunday Thursday: 4-5:30pm; 6-7:30pm; and 7:30-9pm Sunday-Thursday. Private Tutoring: Private
Tutors are only available upon request and appointments must be made 24 hours in advance for
tutor notification. Private tutoring is available for our most popular subjects and for subjects that
do not have a designated time on the Walk-In schedule. To view both schedules and to see a
complete list of subjects, go to www.roanoke.edu/tutoirng.
THE WRITING CENTER @ ROANOKE COLLEGE, located on the lower level of Fintel
Library, offers tutorials focused on written and oral communication for students working on
assignments and projects in any field. Writers at all levels of competence may visit the Writing
Center at any point in their process, from brainstorming to drafting to editing, to talk with trained
peer tutors in informal, one-on-one sessions. The Writing Center is open Sunday through
Thursday from 4-9 pm. Simply stop in, or schedule an appointment by going to
www.roanoke.edu/writingcenter, where our schedule of writing workshops and creative writing
playshops is also posted. Questions? Email writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call 375-4949.
CLASS ABSENCES
Each student is allowed two (2) unexcused absences this semester. You may use them without
having your class participation and attendance grade affected. Roll will be called. Attendance
will be taken. All other absences must be excused by the instructor or your participation and
attendance grade will be lowered. Use your unexcused absences wisely. If you have 4 or more
unexcused absences you may receive an F in class attendance and participation. I will send you a
warning and if the problem is not resolved I will ask the Registrar to drop you from the course. If
you are a member of an athletic team or other college club and know that you will be missing
class in the coming semester, please let me know immediately - I will be much more willing to
accommodate your absences if I am informed at the beginning of the semester. You are expected
to read ahead in the textbook as assigned and be prepared to discuss the material during class.
You are expected to participate in class discussions and exercises. Expect to be called upon.
FINAL EXAM
The final exam for this Block 2 class is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 from 2:00 - 5:00p.m. in
the classroom. Prepare your schedule accordingly. The exam is cumulative.
Caveat: Please be prepared to actively participate in the class through discussions and
interaction with speakers, students and the instructor throughout the semester. Civility is required
of all.
Please note that the lectures and class discussions and presentations are intended to supplement
the text not duplicate them. If you miss one, you should make arrangements to obtain the notes
or discussion with someone.
Please note the following:
1. The written test consists of your written response to several criminal justice issues
presented to you. This will be provided during class and you will provide your
answers in a written format using appropriate references. Please note that you are
to use the aforementioned Scott & Garrison text to cite the references utilized in
researching your answers. It is important that you utilize the library and resources
beyond the textbook to seriously and completely answer the issues posed in the
written project.
2. I urge you to ask questions or discuss issues in class and suggest appropriate topics
you would like to cover.
3. If a guest speaker takes their time to come and speak to the class please attend and
be engaged.
4. MAKEUP TEST POLICY: The opportunity to make up a test is at the discretion of
the instructor. Any excuse should be properly documented and is subject to
verification. If a makeup test is allowed, then it is the responsibility of the student to
schedule the test within the next week of classes on a date, time and location
agreeable to the instructor.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Weeks 1-2: January 12–January 23
The Criminal Justice System, Crime and Crime Causation: Cole and Smith, pp. 3-39
Weeks 3-4: January 26–February 6
Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law, Police, Policing Contemporary Rules and Challenges: Cole and
Smith, pp. 73-141
Test: February 6
Weeks 5-6: February 9-February 20
Police and the Law, Courts and Adjudication: Cole and Smith, pp. 179 -209
Week 7: February 23-February 27
Pretrial Procedures, Plea Bargaining and the Criminal Trial: Cole and Smith, pp. 243 -275
MIDTERM EXAM- February 27
Week 8: March 2 –March 8
Fall BREAK
Weeks 9-10: March 9–March 20
Punishment and Sentencing, Corrections, Incarceration and Prison Society: Cole and Smith, pp. 275379
March 20: WRITTEN TEST DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS
Weeks 11-12: March 23-April 1 (No class on April 3, Good Friday)
Probation and Intermediate Sanctions, Reentry into the Community: Cole and Smith, pp. 379-401
Writing Project due in class April 1
Weeks 13-14: April 6 –April 17
Technology and Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice: Cole and Smith, pp. 429-467
Week 15: April 20
LAST DAY OF CLASS: Review
FINAL EXAM: Block 2 is April 23 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the classroom