Introduction to Criminal Justice (ONLINE) – CRIJ 1301
Spring 2015 – Syllabus
Professor: Andrew Dehart
Email: adehart@patriots.uttyler.edu
Office hours: I have no office, so we will have to meet somewhere on campus.
Course Objectives: Examine the role of criminal justice and how it interacts with, and
affects society. The emphasis will be on understanding the practices and processes of
American policing, courts, and corrections. Like the other basic courses in the
curriculum, this class provides a foundation for understanding how the criminal justice
system operates. As such, this class is a building block for pursuing other specialized
courses and more advanced topics.
In order to accomplish this task, the course is structured to achieve the following aims:
1) to develop a basic understanding of how the criminal justice system works and 2) to
become familiar with the role of the legislature, police, courts, corrections, and juvenile
justice.
Course Materials:
Bohm, Robert M. & Haley, Keith N. (2012). Introduction to Criminal Justice (7th or 8th
Edition). McGraw-Hill Publishers. ISBN: 978-0-07-802653-9
This semester, we will be using the Bohm & Haley text as your primary source material.
This text is required and you will be reading nearly the entire book this semester. It is in
your best interest to purchase and read this text as you will be tested on materials
directly from the chapters. There are two editions out there – the 7th and 8th edition of
this textbook. The 7th edition is less expensive than the 8th edition and will do just fine
for the purposes of this course. There are not many differences between the two, but I
will be using the 7th as the source material for your exams and lectures.
Course Policies
Course Grade
Your course grade for the semester is dependent on the work that you put into the
class. Since this is an online class, it is up to you to complete the assignments on time.
It is also your responsibility to contact me if you miss an assignment and need to
discuss the possibility of a makeup.
Course Evaluation
I will post weekly lectures to blackboard which discuss each chapter. Each lecture
includes a Powerpoint presentation which is accompanied by my voice discussing the
chapter.
Lectures
Unlike a traditional, in-person class, there are no scheduled times for us to meet as a
group for lecture. Instead, I will post lectures for each chapter online. These lectures
are meant to supplement the material in the text. These lectures will by no means
provide you all the information needed for the weekly quizzes. You are responsible for
the material in the lectures as well as the text. You will need a video player to watch the
lectures.
Quizzes
Throughout the semester, you will be give 7 quizzes over material covered in the
course. For example, quiz #1 will cover material in chapter 1. Quiz #2 will cover material
in chapter 2 AND material pertaining to APA citation style (I will talk about APA in the
lecture and will post additional material on blackboard). Quiz #3 will only cover chapter
5.
Each quiz will be available for the entire week as stated below in the schedule.
However, when it is open you will have a time limit. Each quiz will vary in length and
time allotted for completion. You will have 3 opportunities to take each quiz. The highest
score will be chosen to be part of the final grade.
Article Assignments
You are asked to complete 3 of these assignments throughout the semester. You will
need to use your critical thinking skills for this. For example, for the first article
assignment, I will ask you to find a crime online or in a newspaper and tell me the 7
elements (this is discussed in chapter 2). I do not want a recap of the article, but I want
you to be able to analyze it and pull out the relevant information. The other two
assignments will be discussed further in the semester.
YouTube Videos/Writing Assignments
There will be two assignments during the semester. I realize some students may not
own computers, therefore, I am giving you the option to create a YouTube video or do a
writing assignment.
Criteria for YouTube Videos
Must be a minimum of 10 minutes and will thoroughly discuss AND analyze (not
opinion) that week’s chapter. You will need a webcam and create a YouTube account to
upload your videos. You will then send me the link. Your videos will not be viewed by
anyone other than me. Remember, this assignment may seem easier than writing a
paper, it is not. I will be grading on content AND analysis.
Criteria for Writing Assignments
If you choose not to do the YouTube video, you must complete a written article. This will
be a minimum 1 page to maximum of 2 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times-New
Roman font size 12 with full APA. You will include a title page, content page(s), and a
reference page. Again, I am grading on content AND analysis.
Exams
Three online exams will be given on blackboard. These will consist of multiple choice
and True/False. There will be an adequate time limit and you will have to complete the
exam in one sitting. You will not have the opportunity to pause the exam and come back
to it later. This is an online course and you are allowed to use your textbook or any
other material necessary to complete the exam. The final exam is comprehensive and
will cover material learned during the entire semester.
Exams will be available the entire week and a review will be posted to help you.
Remember, once you begin the exam, you must finish it in the allotted time. Make sure
you have a reliable Internet connection. NO retakes will be given for bad connections.
Breakdown of Grading for the Semester
Quizzes/Article Assignments
YouTube videos/Writing assignments
Exam I
Exam II
Final Exam
Total
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
100%
Extra Credit
No extra credit will be given.
University Policies and Procedures
Academic dishonesty is a violation of University policy and professional standards. If
compared to a violation of the criminal law, it would be classed as a felony. Academic
dishonesty is defined as cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise obtaining grades under false
pretenses. The penalty for academic dishonesty in this class will be no less than
immediate failure of the course and a permanent student record of the reason therefore.
In most cases, a written record of academic dishonesty or an instructor’s report
of same to an agency investigator during a background check will bar an
individual from employment by a criminal justice agency as it is considered
indicative of subsequent corrupt acts.
Make-up Exams: The University Catalog does not establish make-ups as a student
right. All exams are forecasted; therefore, no make-up opportunities are contemplated.
Opportunities to make-up missed examinations will be provided only for exceptional
reasons and must be documented (e.g., hospital records, obituaries). Make-up
examinations may be in forms completely different from original examinations and will
be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to
students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability,
including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head
injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a
previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student
Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility
Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above
criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office.
For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in
the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to
cstaples@uttyler.edu
Student Rights, Responsibilities and Integrity: UT Tyler has detailed guidelines
regarding issues of integrity that ensure the quality of education provided by the
university. Consult the Student Handbook for details. To know and understand the
policies which affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please
follow this link: http://www2.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilites.php
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are
requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the
semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event
sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned
absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments
will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of
social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that
all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g.,
via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will
not be transmitted electronically.
Date
Week 1:
January 12-16
Week 2:
January 19-23
Week 3:
January 26-30
Week 4:
February 2-6
Semester Schedule
Topic
Crime and Justice in the US
Crime and Its Consequences
& APA Guidelines
Explaining Crime
The Rule of Law
Readings and
Assignments
Chapter 1
Quiz 1
Chapter 2
& APA Quiz
Chapter 3
Article Assignment #1
Chapter 4
YouTube Video #1 Due or
Writing Assignment #1 Due
Week 5:
History and Structure of
Chapter 5
February 9-13
American Law Enforcement
Quiz 3
Week 7:
February 23-27
Week 8:
March 2-6
Week 6: February 16-20 Review & Exam 1
Policing: Roles, Styles, and
Chapter 6
Functions
Quiz 4
Policing America: Issues and
Chapter 7
Ethics
Article Assignment #2
Week 9:
The Administration of Justice
Chapter 8
March 9-13
& APA Guidelines 2
Quiz 5
Week 10:
March 16-20
Week 11:
March 23-27
Spring Break
Have a good time!
Sentencing, Appeals, and the
Death Penalty
Week 12:
Institutional Corrections
Chapter 9
YouTube Video #2 Due or
Writing Assignment #2 Due
Chapter 10
March 30-April 3
Week 14:
April 13-17
Week 15:
April 20-24
Week 16:
April 27-May 1
Quiz 6
Week 13: April 6-10 Review & Exam 2
Prison Life, Inmate Rights,
Chapter 11
Release, and Recidivism
Quiz 7
Community Corrections
Chapter 12
Article Assignment #3
Finals Week
Final Exam
* Please note that this course schedule is tentative and could change at the discretion of the professor.
While I do not foresee any reasons to change this semester’s schedule, there may be an unforeseen
reason that presents itself at any point. If a change is necessary, I will inform you of these changes via
Blackboard and will provide a revised syllabus.