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HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
SOUTHEAST COLLEGE @ FELIX FRAGA
GOVERNMENT & CRIMNAL JUSTICE DEPTARTMENT
Introduction to Criminal Justice
1301
Semester: SPRING 2015 (16 weeks)
CRN:51310
Location/Day(s)/Time: Mon. & Wed__12:30-2:00 p.m.
Semester Credit Hours: 3/ lecture
CONTACT INFORMATION
Professor N. Mitchell
Email. nicole.mitchell@hccs.edu
Office /Hours: Any time before or After class
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course focuses on the history, philosophy, and ethical considerations of study of
criminal justice. This course provides a general overview of the criminal justice system,
including law enforcement, and court procedures.
COURSE STRUCTURE: Classes will be structured around instructor and student led
discussions of the class readings. I will facilitate discussions and ensure that we cover a full
range of topics and issues as possible. Although I will lecture, I believe that students’ views
not only are important but, provide the foundation for understanding the material we cover.
For that reason, I emphasize class attendance as a part of your grade.
I also expect that you will be familiar with the assigned material prior to coming to class.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Apply and evaluate theories of crime causation;
2. Compare the role of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and the community in
the criminal justice system;
3. Explain a United States Supreme Court decision that interprets a right
guaranteed by the United States Constitution;
4. Apply and evaluate sanctions for adjudicated offenders;
5. Analyze ethical issues concerning the criminal justice system
6. Identify future trends in criminal justice.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
 Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century Plus NEW MyCJLab with
Pearson eText, 9/E
Schmalleger
©2013 | Prentice Hall | Published: 07/09/2012
ISBN-10: 0133028305 | ISBN-13: 9780133028300
*******All other instructional materials will be given out by the Professor*************
____________________________________________________________________________________
COURSE CALENDAR – 16 WEEKS
Week 1
Agenda:
Chapter 1:
Course Introduction/Syllabus Overview/Introductory Activities
Week 2
Agenda:
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Week 3
Agenda:
Chapter 3:
************Exam 1 Chapters 1-3 ***** Date_02/11/15
****** Article/Reflection 1*****
Week 4
Week 5
Agenda:
Agenda:
Chapter 4
Chapter 5:
Week 6
Agenda:
Chapter 6:
Week 7
Agenda:
Chapter 7:
************Exam 2 Chapters 4- 7***** Date_04/11/15_____
****** Article/Reflection 2*****
Week 8
Agenda:
Chapter 8:
Week 9
SPRING BREAK
Week 10
Week 11
Agenda:
Agenda:
Chapter 9:
Chapter 10:
****** Article/Reflection 3*****
************ Exam 3 Chapters 8-11 Date 04/25/15
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Week 12
Week 13
Agenda:
Agenda:
Chapter 11:
Reflection
Week 14
Agenda:
Chapter:
****** Article/Reflection 4*****
Week 15
Agenda:
Chapter 12:
Week 16
Agenda:
Chapter 13:
********* Exam 4 TBA *******
NOTE: The calendar may change. Place a copy of the syllabus and this calendar in your
notebook; refer to the calendar on a weekly basis to know what is expected of you. I
reserve the right to change and modify this syllabus as needed.
Course Evaluation
1. Class preparation and participation- Each student must purchase the required
Text necessary for class and be prepared to actively participate in the class
discussion. (50 points)
2. Current events articles: (4 @ 25 points each)
You will be given an article that pertains to the chapters and subjects we are studying that
particular week. Then you will need to do the following:
1. Summarize the article and explain why it’s relevant to what we are
studying that week from the text.
2. Follow all instructions given with the assignment.
3. Your summarization/reflection needs to be at least 400 words.
4. Please be advised of the late submission policy on this assignment.
3. Examinations: Will be scheduled according to the posted syllabi. The format is essay,
multiple choice, or short answer or essay. Please do not ask for early examination
exceptions. You will be able to drop your lowest test score therefore, there is no make
exams (4 @ 100 points each). However you are required to take all 4 exams.
5. Course project:
Students will be required to write a paper on what occupation they wish to achieve, why
and how they plan to achieve it. The format of this interview will be question and
answer. @ 50 points
Exams: To ensure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading and
discussion in class, quizzes/tests will be administered following select chapters. ****Four
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exams will be given and the lowest test grade will be dropped no make –up
exams!!!! ****
APA Format: In the social sciences (Sociology, Criminology, Psychology, etc.) the preferred
style of writing is American Psychological Association (APA) Style. If you have any questions
about the APA style, www.perrla.com, www.apa.org and check the book store for an APA
6th edition manual book. All assignments must be type written no exceptions and in
APA format.
Attendance: Students who miss frequently rarely perform as well as those who attend
regularly. Students are expected to arrive for class on time and remain in class until
dismissed by the instructor. If a student wishes to drop the course, it is his or her
responsibility to fill out the appropriate from in the college office on campus.
Students who stop attending before the end of the semester, and who do not drop
themselves, will receive a grade of “F.”
Study Buddy: It is strongly encouraged that you exchange information with
another student to access class materials in case you are absent. Please do not
ask me what you missed while you were absent.
Late policy: All assignments are due by the end of the class period or it is considered late.
You have 24 hours from the due date to submit a late assignment with a 20%
penalty. No assignments accepted after the late period has expired. If, you email your
late assignment please make sure it is by the due date/ time in the subject line place Re:
“Late Show”.
Repeat instances of tardiness will not be permitted. I strongly suggest that
students drop this class if you have family, work, or school obligations that make
it difficult to be to class on time. I will reserve the right to refuse admission to the
lecture if, you are more than 15 minutes to class. L
Projects, extra credit, and class exercises: During the course of the semester, each
student will be asked to complete a variety of projects that support lecture and reading
materials. Projects/Exercises may include: online assignments, critical thinking exercises,
collaborative presentations, oral presentations, and other projects assigned by your
professor. Please take advantage of these opportunities when offered.
STUDENT ASSESSMENTS
Attendance, preparation and participation
Articles/Reflections (4 @ 25 points each)
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Examination
Course project
Final Grading Evaluation Scale: (550 points possible)
550 – 490 = A
50
100
100
100
100
100
100
5
489 – 429 = B
428 – 368 = C
367 – 300 = D
299 – Below = F
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
F = 59 and below…………………….…..0 points per semester hour
NOTE: In the event of an “I”, students must arrange with the instructor to complete the course within 6 months or
the I converts to an F). Grades are available online within one week of the end of the course on the website
www.hccs.edu. Students needing an official copy of their grades for reimbursement, etc., may request a copy from
the Office of Student Records at the System Administration Building.
HCC STUDENT SERVICES POLICIES
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the student services policies. Those may be
accessed at: http://hccs.edu/student-rights
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the
withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the
final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of
"FX", compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course
without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid
funding for students who have never attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend
class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of
"FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and
satisfactory academic progress.
ADA Statement
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services Office at the respective
college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Ability Services Office. At Southeast College, students should contact John Reno at 713718-8397 john.reno@hccs.edu.
EGLS3
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, 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 department 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.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System
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officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited
to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another student’s test paper;
 Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of
an unadministered test;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of anther’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work
in one’s own written work offered for credit. If you are not familiar with what plagiarism is
www.plagiarsim.com is an excellent tool to clarify any question you may have. Lastly, when in doubt
always cite where you got the information from.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for
credit.
Because an important part of being a college student is academic honesty, it is the expectation in this
course that you will complete all academic work without cheating, plagiarism, lying and/or bribery, and
collusion. Penalties for academic dishonesty (as outlined in the student handbook) could include receiving
a failing grade for this course and/or being suspended from school. All instances of plagiarism will e
dealt with in the following manner: 1) 1st occurrence verbal warning/ zero on the assignment. 2) 2nd
offense will result in an “F” for the semester no exceptions.
WITHDRAWALS: Students may withdraw from courses prior to the deadline established by the institution.
Before withdrawing from a course, students should meet with the instructor to discuss the decision. There are
services available to students you may be referred to assist in completion and success in the course. Deadlines
to withdraw are printed in the schedule of classes and on the HCC website. Be sure you adhere to the rules and
deadlines in order to receive a ‘W’ otherwise a grade of ‘F’ will be given in the course by the instructor.
Students should take care in dropping a course, as the third or future attempt to retake a course will result in a
higher rate of tuition at HCC. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you
are making in the class as your final grade.
REPEAT COURSE POLICY
Effective Fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition to students who are registering for a class for the third or
subsequent time for the majority of credit and continuing education courses. A third attempt is any class that is
reflected on a student's transcript with a grade of A-F, I or W. Attempts include only courses taken at Houston
Community College since the Fall semester of 2002. Students can see a counselor or advisor to determine if
they are taking a class for a third time. Students should also carefully select courses and take care in dropping a
course, as the third or future attempt to retake a course will result in a higher rate.
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT: HCC shall provide an educational, employment, and business environment free
of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is not tolerated by HCC. Any
student who feels that he or she is the victim of sexual harassment has the right to seek redress of the
Grievance. HCC provides procedures for reviewing and resolving such complaints through its Grievance
Policy. Substantiated accusations may result in disciplinary action against the offender, up to and including
termination of the employee or suspension of the student. In addition, complainants who make accusations of
sexual harassment in bad faith may be subject to equivalent disciplinary action.
Definition
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Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, other verbal or physical
sexual conduct, or any other offensive unequal treatment of an employee, student, or group of employees or
students that would not occur except for their sex when:
• The advances, requests, or conduct have the effect of interfering with performance of duties or studies or
creating an intimidating, hostile, or otherwise offensive work or academic environment; or
• Submission to such advances, requests, or conduct is explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual’s employment or academic achievement or advancement; or
• Submission to or rejection of such advances, requests or conduct is used as a basis for employment or
academic decisions.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR/CONDUCT
You are in college. You will be treated and respected as an adult. Because of the nature of discussion
involved in this class, it is imperative that we respect each other’s opinions and values. Classroom
disruptions interfere with the learning environment and cannot be allowed. Any student failing to abide by
appropriate standards of conduct during scheduled College activities may be asked to leave that day’s
class or activity by the instructor or another College official. (The student has the right to return to the
next class/activity.) If a student refuses a request to voluntarily leave the classroom, security may be
summoned to remove the student so that the scheduled activity may resume without further disruption. In
cases of serious problems, the faculty member will document and report the incident to his/her supervisor.
Further disciplinary action may be pursued according to System guidelines, presented in the HCCS
Student Handbook. In addition to cooperative and courteous behavior, follow these guidelines:
 Get handouts and returned work before class begins or after the class ends. DO NOT walk up to
the instructor’s desk during the class.
 Arrive to class on time and stay for the entire session. Tardiness and leaving early are disruptions
to class.
 Turn off cell phones and other electronics prior to entering class. No calls, text messages,
photographs, or any other electronic communication should be sent or received during class.
NOTE: If you have a home, family, or work situation that requires you to keep a cell phone on
hand, please discuss this with the professor beforehand.
 Stay awake in class—no heads on desks.
***For repeated classroom disruptions, a student may be dropped from this course.
You are responsible to familiarize yourself with the policies, procedures, and other information in the
HCC Student Handbook. It may be found online through the HCC Web site:
http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Student_Handbook/student_policies.pdf