HCC COURSE GUIDE
Resources for Instructors
Discipline/Program
Criminal Justice
Course Level
First Year
Course Title
Introduction to Criminal Justice (ACGM Field of Study Curriculum)
Course Rubric and Number
(e.g. HIST 1301)
Semester with Course
Reference Number (CRN)
Course Location/Times
Course Semester Credit
Hours (SCH) (lecture, lab) If
applicable
Total Course Contact Hours
CRIJ 1301
Course Continuing
Education Units (CEU):
If applicable
Course Length (number of
weeks)
Type of Instruction
N/A
Instructor contact
information (phone
number and email address)
Office Location and Hours
Name: Karen J. Cruse
Phone Number (office: N/A)
Email Address: karen.cruse@hccs.edu
Before or after class or by appointment.
Course Description: ACGM
or WECM
History, philosophy, and ethical considerations of criminal justice; the nature
and impact of crime; and an overview of the criminal justice system, including
law enforcement and court procedures.
Course Description: HCC
Catalog Description
Course Prerequisite(s)
Same
Academic Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
Students who complete the HCC criminal justice program of study should be
able to:
1. Articulate key concepts in criminology and criminal justice.
2. Inquire, analyze, and apply research to criminal justice agency
operations.
3. Communicate thoughts, ideas, and facts clearly and accurately.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical and legal obligations of criminal
justice professionals.
5. Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits by
completing assignments on time and working productively with others.
Course Student Learning
Outcomes (SLO): 4 to 7
Describe and explain the history, philosophy and ethical considerations of
criminal justice; define the nature and impact of crime on society and how it is
integrated in to the criminal justice system; distinguish between the civil and
Spring 2014 Semester, CRN78833
Felix Fraga, Rm. 262 MoWe 12:30-2:00
3
48
16 weeks
Lecture
College Ready Reading & Writing
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criminal court systems; and interpret the relationship between the components
of the criminal justice system.
Learning Objectives
(Numbering system should
be linked to SLO – e.g., 1.1,
1.2, 1.3, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
What is Criminal Justice?
The Crime Picture
Criminal Law
Policing: Purposes and Organization
Policing: Legal Aspects
Policing: Issues and Challenges
The Courts
The Courtroom Work Group and the Criminal Trial
Sentencing
Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections
Prisons and Jails
Prison Life
Juvenile Justice
SCANS and/or Core
Curriculum Competencies:
If applicable
Reading
Writing
Critical Thinking
Course Calendar
January 13 Introduction to the Course
January 15 Chapter 1
January 20 Holiday
January 22 Chapter 2
January 27 Chapter 2
January 29 Chapter 3
February 3 Chapter 3
February 5 Test #1
February 10 Chapter 4; test review
February 12 Chapter 4
February 17 Chapter 4 and 5
February 19 Chapter 5
February 24 Chapter 6
February 26 Chapter 6
March 3
Test #2
March 5
Chapter 7; test review
March 10
Spring Break
March 12
Spring Break
March 17
Chapter 7
March 19
Chapter 8
March 24
Chapter 8
March 26
Chapter 9
March 31
Chapter 9
April 2
Chapter 10
April 7
Test #3
April 9
Speaker
April 14
12 Angry Men
April 16
Death Penalty Discussion
April 21
Field Trip
April 23
Projects
April 28-30
Review for Final Exam
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Instructional Methods
Student Assignments
May 5
Final Exams
Lecture, in class discussion, in class essay exams, online discussion groups,
readings, and writing assignments.
Participation: Students are expected to participate in class discussions/debates
and when the teacher calls on them. Readings must be completed in order for
the student to participate. By asking students about the readings, the instructor
can also check whether they have completed readings or not.
Quizzes: It is up to the discretion of the instructor to assign quizzes if class
participation is lacking, or if it is apparent that reading assignments are not
being completed. These could be announced or unannounced and consist of
short answer questions regarding the reading assignments.
Exams: There will be three exams during the semester and a final. These will
consist of 1-2 short answer (essays) questions and 75 objective questions that
will require you to integrate, explain, reflect upon, and critique the material
covered in class. Specific content of each exam will be discussed by the
instructor at least one week before the date of the exam. Make up exams will
be at the discretion of the instructor.
Term Paper: A term paper of eight to ten pages in length following the MLS form
of writing will be due on March 26, 2014. This must be a paper drawing from the
topics we have discussed in class, ie law enforcement, corrections, or legal.
Besides this, the topic or issue covered in the paper is entirely up to the student,
but the instructor will offer some suggestions as the semester progresses. The
term paper is not a book report. Although you will be required to demonstrate
that you understand the material that you are covering, the main goal is to use
some critical thinking and defend a philosophical position. The instructor will
spend some time in class discussing writing tips for a good philosophy paper. If
there are too many errors, students may be asked to rewrite this assignment
and take a penalty. Late assignments suffer a similar fate. I will deduct 25
points per day after the due date.
In addition to the above you will be required to turn in a book report which will
be due on February 17, 2014 on a book of your choice (four to five pages) as
well as a short paper on the television drama…Law and Order which will be
due on January 27, 2014,
Student Assessment(s)
Students will be assessed for their ability to successfully complete the
assignments mentioned above according to the grading criteria mentioned
below.
Instructor’s Requirements
Textbook
Outside Readings
Program/Discipline
Requirements: If applicable
A minimum of 50% of the student’s semester average must come from writing
assignments.
HCC Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90:…………………………………...…4 points per semester hour
B = 89 – 80: ………………………………...…….3 points per semester hour
C = 79 – 70: ………………………………...…….2 points per semester hour
D = 69 – 60: ..……………………………………..1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F………………………..………..0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) ………………………………………..…………….0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn)………………………………………..……………..0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)………………………………………..……..……….0 points per semester hour
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Instructor Grading Criteria
AUD (Audit) ……………………………………….………………….0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student
must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and
continuing education courses. To compute grade point average (GPA), divide
the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The
grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not affect GPA.
The semester grade will be calculated as follows: total points = 1000
4 unit exam at a rate of 150 points per exam; 1 research paper at a rate of 150
points; 1 final exam at a rate of 150 points and projects, papers, etc at a rate of
150 each.
*** This syllabus is meant as a guide and is subject to change at the discretion
of the instructor. If there are any changes made, the student will be notified in
a timely manner.
Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student
feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated
time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research based
questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be
made available to your professors and division chairs for continual
improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston
Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
Instructional Materials
Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction, 8th Edition, Frank J. Schmallager, Prentice
Hall, 2010. ISBN-13: 9780137145539.
HCC Policy Statement:
ADA
Academic Honesty
Student attendance
3-peaters
Withdrawal deadline
Access Student Services Policies on their Web site:
Distance Education and/or
Continuing Education
Policies
Access DE Policies on their Web site:
Test Bank
Online
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
Access CE Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Scoring Rubrics
Sample Assignments
Sample Instructional
Methods/Activities
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