San José State University
Department of Justice Studies
JS 10 - Introduction to Justice Studies, Section 2 (48889)
Fall 2012
Instructor:
Jackye McClure
Office Location:
MH 521
Telephone:
(408) 807-2062 (cell phone)
Email:
jacquelyn.mcclure@email.sjsu.edu
Office Hours:
M & W 11:00 – 11:30; additional in-person or on-line times
by request (please coordinate with instructor.)
Class Days/Time:
M & W, 12:00 – 1:15
Classroom:
Sweeney Hall # 344
Course Description
This course is a survey the historical and philosophical development of the criminal justice
system. The course covers description, analysis, and evaluation of the three components of the
criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections; the relationship between theory and
practice, and the rights of individuals in a democratic society.
Student Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
LO1: Explain the characteristics, structure, and processes of justice system operations in the
United States. Satisfaction of this learning objective will be measured through the
evaluation of small group exercises, short-answer essay responses, in-class
presentations, individual essays, and objective examinations.
LO2: Explain criminology, criminal law, criminal statistics, and constitutional criminal
procedure as they relate to practices within the justice system. Satisfaction of this
learning objective will be measured through the evaluation of small group exercises,
short-answer essay responses, in-class presentations, individual essays, and objective
examinations.
LO3: Describe and discuss the purpose, functions, critical issues, and societal interactions of
the three major components of the justice system: the police, courts, and
corrections. Satisfaction of this learning objective will be measured through the
evaluation of small group exercises, short-answer essay responses, in-class
presentations, and objective examinations.
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Required Texts/Additional Readings/Other Materials
Textbook:
Pearson Criminal Justice: Introduction to Criminal Justice
NOTE: This is a specially compiled version of:
Schmalleger, F. 2012. Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction, 9th Ed. Boston, MA.
ISBN 10: 1-256-57151-2
Other Materials
Four (4) scantrons for the examinations (Form 882-E available at the Spartan Bookstore
and at “Just Below” in MacQuarrie Hall)
A #2 pencil is required to fill in the scantron.
Library Liaison
Nyle Monday (Nyle.Monday@sjsu.edu)
(408) 808-2041
http://libguides.sjsu.edu/justicestudies
Student Expectations & Classroom Protocol
The college experience brings together individuals from diverse background and experiences.
Please observe the following so that you and others can get the most value from this course and
your college experience. All students in JS10 should:
1. Attend all class meetings, arrive on time, stay for the duration of the class period,
complete all readings and assignments in accordance with the dates on the course
schedule and be aware of what materials you need to bring to class.
2. Actively participate in all class discussions and team activities. Active participation
means substantial contributions to class and team discussions, and the team assignments.
3. Be responsible for all missed notes, materials and announcements due to absence (i.e., do
not e-mail the instructor asking about what you missed). Each team should create an
email list to update each other on class activities.
4. Be responsible for keeping track of points earned.
5. Arrive to class on time. If late, be courteous; enter the classroom quietly. Be aware that
frequently showing up late to class and/or leaving early is a violation of the student code
of conduct. More important, if you come in late you will miss the in-class quiz for that
day, which cannot be made up.
6. Turn off all electronic devices or set them to vibrate before class begins.
7. Leave the classroom in the event that you must make or take a phone call.
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8. Be respectful. From time to time we may be discussing controversial topics. Though you
may not agree with another person’s opinions, please be respectful and considerate while
they are speaking.
9. Check e-mail for class/course schedule announcements or updates - this should be done
regularly, especially the night prior to a class meeting!
Department of Justice Studies Writing Philosophy
The Department of Justice Studies is committed to scholarly excellence. Therefore, the
Department promotes academic, critical, and creative engagement with language, with emphasis
on writing, throughout its curriculum.
A sustained and intensive exploration of language prepares students to think critically and to act
meaningfully in interrelated areas of their lives–personal, professional, economic, social,
political, ethical, and cultural.
Graduates of the Department of Justice Studies leave San José State University prepared to enter
a range of careers and for advanced study in a variety of fields; they are prepared to more
effectively identify and ameliorate injustice in their personal, professional and civic
lives. Indeed, the impact of literacy is evident not only within the span of a specific course,
semester, or academic program but also over the span of a lifetime.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures concerning add/drops,
academic renewal, and current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.
Information is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/academics
Assignments and Grading Policy
Examinations: There will be four (4) exams. The exams are not comprehensive. However, the
final examination will include questions that relate to the entire criminal justice system as
covered throughout the semester.
Each examination will cover the assigned reading from the text, lecture, guest speakers, and
media for that section of the class. The format for the examinations will be multiple-choice,
matching, true/false, fill-in the blanks and short essay response questions.
Refer to the class schedule for examination dates.
Pop quizzes will be True/False, multiple choice and short answer. These quizzes will be at the
beginning of class. Students are expected to keep up with the assigned readings in preparation for
class and the pop quizzes.
Note: Pop quizzes CANNOT be made up under any circumstances.
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Make up exams will be essay style and should be made up as soon as possible after the exam. A
student may only make up one exam; arrange make-up prior to missing the scheduled exam.
Class Participation is encouraged and expected. Students will be evaluated based upon their
individual and team contributions in class. Instructor reserves the right to increase final grade
based upon outstanding student contributions throughout the semester.
Team work will occur throughout the semester. Team work will include an in-class
presentation on a case assignment, assigned team discussions and team collaboration on
specified written assignments.
Written Assignments:
1. Introduction Paper - a short ½ to ¾ page paper introducing yourself to the instructor. In
this paper, tell me a little bit about yourself, why you are taking JS10, and what you hope
to do upon graduation. The Introduction Paper should be typed, double-spaced and
submitted to the D2L “DropBox” for this course.
2. Video Questions will be available at the beginning of each section of the class. Several
videos will be shown in class and others are to be viewed at the SJSU Instructional
Resource Center (IRC) http://www.sjsu.edu/map For those videos viewed at the IRC,
your worksheet responses must be submitted to D2L “DropBox” on the dates indicated
on the course syllabus. Worksheets must be completed and submitted on the dates
assigned in order to get full credit.
3. Field observation and write-up must be done according to format provided. Sample
write ups, guidelines and instructions are available on D2L. Your write-up must be
typed, double-spaced, and well written. Your write up should be 3-4 pages long, and be
based upon a 4-6 hour ride-along or court observation. Grammar, punctuation, and
spelling count – please proofread before you submit.
Write-up is due immediately after completing the field observation, but no later than:
Police Ride Along Write-Up due: November 14
Court Observations Write-Up due: December 3
Evaluation
Grades for JS 10 will be distributed as follows:
4 Examinations
Pop Quizzes
Team Case Presentation/Exercises
Written Assignments
50%
10%
15%
25%
100%
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Letter Grades
Distribution of letter grades will be based on the overall percentage of the total number of points
received on the 4 examinations, pop quizzes, written assignments including media questions,
team case report, and team in-class exercises.
Percentage points will be distributed as follows:
100 – 98% = A+
89.99 – 88% = B+
79.99 – 78% = C+
69.99 – 68% = D+
97.99 - 93% = A
87.99 - 83% = B
77.99 - 73% = C
67.99 - 63% = D
92.99 – 90% = A82.99 - 80% = B72.99 - 70% = C62.99 – 00% = F
Extra Credit:
It is expected that you will earn your grade in JS10 by coming to class, taking notes, keeping up
with the reading, completing and submitting written assignments on time and studying for the
exams. However, if interested in extra credit, there may be opportunities to earn extra credit
during the course of the semester as events occur that are pertinent to JS10. Such opportunities
will be announced in class or via email.
Approved Extra Credit papers/projects must be submitted by December 5. No papers or extra
credit assignments will be accepted after this date.
Incomplete Grades:
Students who cannot fulfill all the work for a course due to a medical or family emergency may
be assigned an incomplete only if arrangements are made with the instructor. An incomplete
must be made up within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term in which it
was assigned.
It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the instructor regarding
why they cannot fulfill all the work during the current semester and to reach agreement on the
means by which the remaining course requirements will be satisfied. If the instructor agrees, the
instructor will enter an "I" grade for that course for that semester.
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University Policies
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University
requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to
report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development. The website for
Student Conduct and Ethical Development is available at:
http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/Students/Student_Academic_Integrity_Process/
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the
work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit)
will result in a minimum of a failing grade for the assignment and sanctions by the University.
For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise
specified. For more information about academic integrity go to:
http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/Students/Student_Academic_Integrity_Process/
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to
make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours.
Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations
must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Disability Resource Center is located in the Administration Building 110. For more information
on the DRC go to: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
Student Resource / Assistance Centers
College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA) Student Success Center
The Center is available for all CASA students and students who would like to be in CASA and
offers general education advising, help with changing majors, academic policy related questions,
meeting with peer advisors, and offers various regularly scheduled presentations and workshops.
It also offers a place to study and students can check out laptops. Location: MacQuarrie Hall
(MH) 533. For additional information call 408-924-2910 or go to the Centers website at
http://www.sjsu.edu/casa/ssc/
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the 1st
floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Computers are also available in the
Martin Luther King Library.
Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student
Services Center on the corner of 10th Street and San Fernando Street. It is designed to assist
students in the development of their full academic potential and to inspire them to become
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independent learners. The Center's tutors are trained and nationally certified. They provide
content-based tutoring in many lower division courses as well as writing and study skills
assistance. Small group, individual, and drop-in tutoring are available.
http://www.sjsu.edu/larc/
SJSU Writing Center
The Writing Center in Clark Hall 126 offers tutoring in all courses. Writing Specialists assist in
all areas of the writing process, including grammar, organization, paragraph development,
coherence, syntax, and documentation styles. http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter
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