Course Syllabus CJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Fall 2013 Course Days and Times: Tues/Thurs 5:30pm– 7:00pm Houston Community College Northwest – Alief Campus 2811 Hayes Road Houston, Texas 77082 Ph#. 713-718-6870 Instructor: Stedmen Jahmar Young, MCJ Cell Phone#: 713-320-6201 Office#: 713-302-4754 Office Hours: Appointment Only Email: Stedmen.Young@yahoo.com Masters of Arts (Criminal Justice) Boston University Bachelor of Science (Administration of Justice) Texas Southern University Textbook: (NOTE) the textbook listed below is REQUIRED and will be used throughout the course: Schmalleger, F. (2011/12). Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction (8th or 9th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Course Description: The course will provide an introduction to the many elements and aspects of the Criminal Justice system with a focus on measuring and explaining crime, criminal law, policing organizations, policing strategies, and the courts quest for: justice, prisons, jails, and the life on an inmate. There will be brief glance into the Juvenile Justice System and Cyber crimes. Students will also learn: Theories of crime causation; the role of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and the community in the Criminal Justice System. How to recite facts, statutes, and Court decisions. (By reviewing research and evidence) How to make evidence based decisions in the context of prevention, detection, intervention, treatment, and sanctioning of perpetrators. To examine Local and National ethical issues in the Criminal Justice System Methodology: The course will be taught primarily through lecture and discussions, supplemented with assignment and quizzes/test. Case studies, small group activities, audio-visual media, in class exercises and handout materials will enhancement the course lectures and discussions. Student participation will be utilized to teach the course materials through question answered exercises, independent/group writing and research activities and classroom presentations. Attendance: Attendance in class is MANDATORY. Students who are absent more than (4) class meetings may be dropped from the Course/Class. The Houston Community College System attendance policy will be enforced and grade incentive will be rewarded to those who attend class regularly. Many activities will require Students active participation and involvement and these points cannot be awarded if Students are not present in class. Students who are absent for these activities will not have the opportunity to make up these points. Tests, quizzes, writing assignments, and such may be up according to HCC policy guidelines. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to determine what work was missed, to obtain lecture notes from other students in the class, and to schedule a time before or after class for makeup tests/quizzes. Students start off with 30 point grade average in the class and for each missed class 5 points will be deducted. Therefore to maintain 30 points each student must attend class as well as satisfactory complete each course assignment and follow the class participation guide given below. Grading Policy: Grades will be based on the percentage of points you earn from Tests, Quizzes, Essays, Worksheets, Class assignments, Creative assignments, Attendance, and Major individual/group projects. Every assignment is worth a set amount of points. After all scores are totaled, I will use the following scaling system: 450 - 500 = A 400 - 449 = B 350 - 399 = C 300 - 349 = D Below 299 = F Student Grade will be based on following assignments: Class Participation (30 points): In-class assignments, Homework, Attendance* 2 – 4 page Essay (70 points): On Ethics in the Criminal Justice System* 5 Page Term Paper and Power Point (100 points / 50 points): Paper and Power Point on a current Criminal Justice problem facing the United States (Illegal drugs, gangs, rape, Domestic violence, racial profiling, Laws, Court rulings, etc.)* Ride along with Law enforcement officer or 1 Court Attendance (50 Points)* Midterm Exam – Final Exam (100 points each)* *Failure to complete any of these assignments in a timely manner will result in a failing grade. Classroom Behavior: The study of Criminal Justice involves many controversial issues and theories. Critical Thinking and analytical reasoning are necessary to gain a systematic understanding of this subject and to make class discussions interesting. Thoughts and opinions will be varied and diverse. To encourage and foster open forum discussions, all students are expected to respect their fellow classmates and the Instructor, and expect the same respect in return from fellow classmates and Instructor. Due to the controversial nature of certain topics discussed in the duration of this course, opinions and comments made by other students may differ from your own analyses or point of view (this is normal). Discussing and debating issues is essential to the understanding of crime and delinquency. However, there are acceptable ways to express your thoughts and opinions. The guiding principle is to attack the issue, not the student. Derogatory comments to or about other students or Instructor will NOT BE TOLERATED. If such comments are uttered in the classroom, you will be subjected to reprimand and/or removed from the classroom. Academic Honesty Violation: The Penalty for an Academic Honesty Violation on a significant course requirement such as a term paper/project/quiz/ or Examination shall be a “0” for the work. The penalty for a second violation will result in an “F” for the course. Plagiarism in any form or degree is strictly forbidden. Any work submitted that is plagiarized in whole or in part will be rejected by the Instructor in its entirety. The student will at the point will be barred from performing any type of extra credit or makeup work to bring up his or her cumulative grade for the course. Students with Disabilities: Houston Community College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify Disabled Student Services and secondly their Instructor of any special needs. Instructors should be made aware of any student’s special needs within the first week of class or upon becoming aware that a disability may exist, whichever comes first. It is the policy of Houston Community College System that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color sex, martial status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Class Participation: Assignments may be individual or group. The student will have several graded in-class assignments, which cannot be made up in the event you were absent. Assignments are due on the due date in order to be worth full credit. Late assignments will be valued as follows: 1 day late – 75% 2 day late – 50% More than 2 days late – Will result in “0” Each student will be evaluated on both the quality and the quantity of their classroom participation. What constitutes class participation is described in detail listed below: Attends class In class on time/No early departure Prepared Partakes in classroom discussions by contributing thoughtful and responsive input Takes assignments seriously Turns in quality work Turns in work in a timely manner Follows directions in all work Respects classmates and Instructor in discussion based topics Accepts critique in a mature and constructive manner Is attentive and does not disturb the classroom/Instructor during class (i.e. Technology) Is Articulate, Both orally and verbally Contributes to Group efforts by focusing on task(s) and contributing to the Assignment in which is given.