UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
College of Professional Studies
Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
CCJ 2002 Survey of Crime and Justice (3 credit hours)
Summer 2007
Online Campus via eLearning
Professor:
Richard Hough
E-mail: rhough@uwf.edu
Office: Building 85, Room 149
Office Phone: 857-6413 (or 474-7293)
Office Hours: By Appointment
Required Texts:
Kappeler, Victor E. and Gary W. Potter. (2005). The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice (4th
edition). Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
ISBN 1-57766-358-6
Additional readings and video may also be available to students in D2L and as library electronic
reserves. To access the course on-line, go to http://elearning.uwf.edu and complete login
procedures to enter the course site.
All students (you) are responsible for activation and regular checking of your UWF student email
account.
Electronic-Copy:
All supplemental materials will be posted in D2L/Desire to Learn/eLearning.
Course
Description:
Designed to provide students a context of the basic principles and practices of crime, justice,
criminal justice policy, and the criminal justice system. Myths of crime and justice are presented and
discussed in an attempt to enhance students’ critical thinking skills. This course fulfills a UWF general
studies requirement. Please see student handbook for related information.
Course
Objectives:
There are two main goals for this course. First, the primary intent of this course is to familiarize
you with the criminal justice system and manners in which criminal justice policy is conceived, planned,
and carried out. In pursuing this goal, you will be exposed to mythologies of criminal justice and will study
how to “debunk” each myth. A second goal of the course is to sharpen your skills of critical analysis. By
studying and “debunking” mythologies of criminal justice, you will sharpen your analytical skills. At the
conclusion of the course, students will have an introductory knowledge of the criminal justice system, crime
policy, and the context of crime and justice in the United States. This course provides an adequate
foundation for future study of advanced criminal justice courses.
Student
Learning
Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Explain the process, context, and implementation of criminal justice policy-making.
2. Describe the divisions and operational aspects of the criminal justice system.
3. Outline myth-policy relationships and their relationship on the criminal justice system.
4. Describe the competing interests that affect the myth-policy relationship.
5. Complete basic approaches to data and research collection, and communicate findings.
6. Critically assess “myths of criminal justice,” including research reports and data.
7. Discuss the long-term effects of the myth-policy relationship on the criminal justice system.
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Academic Requirements and Evaluation Procedure:
A full and adequate preparation for each class is essential. At a minimum, preparation requires the following: Completing
assigned projects, reading text material, interacting with your classmates, and asking questions for better understanding.
There will be a variety of class assignments throughout the semester; you are expected to actively participate in
discussions and projects. Furthermore, you must complete each assignment in order to pass the class.
Blog Projects: 250 points total
There will be five (5) blogs (50 points each) presented for each “myth” that will cover the text and related
material covered in the PowerPoints and outlines during the semester. The blogs are intended to (1)
encourage you to critically analyze content presented; (2) introduce you to peer-reviewed and other forms of
quality research; (3) help you learn and synthesize material; and (4) serve as an opportunity for you to interact
with each other and the professor in problem solving. The blogs are designed to enhance critical thinking
abilities. Furthermore, the blogs are designed to give you an opportunity to engage in open and honest
discussion about the vast number of “myths” and “gray areas” within the criminal justice arena.
The blogs can be found under the heading BLOG along the toolbar. Each blog is related to the content of the
corresponding chapters during the week presented. Each blog will be posted by 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday of
the corresponding week. You will post your individual blog entry (response) on the message board by 11:00
p.m. Friday of the week. Then, you will interact/respond with at least two different students by posting at a
minimum FOUR (4) substantive blog entries related to their individual responses. These four (4) entries must
be completed by 11:00 p.m. Tuesday of each week.
The following grading rubric will be utilized to evaluate student blog entries. Please note regardless of
substantive value in response(s), if the initial posting deadline is not met, then 10 points are deducted; if you
fail to interact/respond meaningfully at least FOUR times with other students, then 15 points are deducted.
The following point values are assigned for each blog project:
1. Respond to initial blog entry by correctly and thoroughly “debunking” at least one part of it (5 points)
2. Use correct grammar and structure (5 points)
3. Critically evaluate the material presented on the basis of accuracy, position, and impact upon criminal
justice in a concise yet persuasive manner. Where applicable, apply text citation or supplemental reading
citations to material and response (25 points)
4. Respond to at least four other students’ replies and greatly aid in furthering the discussion of debunking the
myth (15 points) No “I agree” type postings.
This is how you post to the blog:
1. From the main blog page, enter the blog by clicking on the topic name.
2. Click on the Add Message button.
3. Type your message (Your Last Name followed by Blog Number [e.g., Hough Blog 1]).
4) Type your message in the text box provided.
5) Click Submit.
6) When you return to the blog, you will see your message posted. To read your message, click on it.
To respond to a specific message:
1) Click on the message title.
2) After clicking on the message title, you will be shown the message; select the Reply without Message button.
3) Put the name of the individual you are replying to as the “topic” and then type your message in the text box provided.
4) Click Submit.
Assignments: 125 points total
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There will be two (2) writing assignments required that will engage you in synthesizing and writing about the
previous week’s blog content. In the written assignments, you will be required to (1) briefly outline the myth; (2)
synthesize your group’s “debunking” comments of the myth; and (3) present a “Town Crier Message” that will
go out to educate the general public.
The writing assignments should be no longer than two (2) typewritten pages. The assignment must be typed in
12 size Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins. A citations/bibliography page should be
included (as a third page if/when applicable). Please use APA style. Files should be submitted in Word (.doc)
or as an (.rtf) file; no other format will be accepted. Files which do not adhere to these guidelines will have at
least 5 points deducted.
The writing assignments are posted in the “Turn in Assignments” section of the course. Directions for posting are
provided in the section. You must submit your paper by 11:00 p.m. Monday of the week it is due. A late
assignment will be penalized 10 points and then 2 points each day, or part of a day, that it is late up to two days.
If a writing assignment is more than two days late it will be scored a zero. Assignments that do not follow the
guidelines as stated in the above paragraph will be penalized at least 5 points.
Assignments are due in the “Turn in Assignments” section of the course in either .doc or .rtf format by 11 p.m. on the
following dates:
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
July 16th
July 30th
Quizzes: 100 points total
There will be three (3) quizzes covering material from the text, PowerPoints and outlines. Each quiz includes
objective (multiple choice and true/false questions). Each quiz has 20 questions. The quizzes will be available
for you to complete between Monday at 7:00 a.m. and Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. (following each blog project
week).
Exams: 300 points total
There will be three (3) exams covering material from the text, PowerPoints and outlines, and blog projects.
Each exam will be a combination of subjective (open ended and essay questions) and objective (multiple
choice and true/false questions). Each exam is worth 100 points for a total of 300 points. The exams will have a
time limit.
There will be no opportunity for make-up assignments, blog projects, or examinations unless you have made advanced
arrangements with the professor. Further, the decision to allow you to make-up an exam/assignment/blog is left to the
professor’s discretion. Make-up items will not be identical to items given at the regularly scheduled time.
While it is impossible (in both online and classroom courses) for me to completely monitor exams in progress, you are
to do your own work. Any evidence that you have collaborated with someone else will result in a grade of zero for all
involved.
Grades:
The following grading scale will be used to assign final letter grades:
Grade
A
A-
Percentage
93 and Above
90 - 92
Grade
BC+
Percentage
80 - 82
78 - 79
Grade
D+
D
Percentage
68 - 69
63 - 67
3
B+
B
88 - 89
83 - 87
C
C-
73 - 77
70 - 72
F
62 and Below
A withdrawal grade can be initiated by the student at any time prior to July 13th, which is the withdrawal
deadline for term. However, the professor has the option of refusing to grant a W after August 1st . You will not
be eligible for a W after the August 1st deadline if you have not contacted the professor before this time. An
incomplete (I) will be given only if you show failure to complete the course due to extenuating circumstances.
Any such circumstances must be brought to the professor’s attention prior to the scheduled final for this
course. Additionally, an explicit agreement on the schedule for making up the incomplete will be required.
Additional
Information:
Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to
perform in this class are encouraged to inform the professor at the start of the semester. Adaptations of
methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation. In addition to
notifying the professor, students may seek the assistance of the Student Disability Resource Center
(SDRC; formerly Disabled Student Services) at www.uwf.edu/sdrc or building 21/room 130 or at 474-2387.
SDRC will assist the instructor with recommended accommodations.
The Student Planner and Handbook is available online in Argus on the Services tab and in the Student
News channel, or at http://www.uwf.edu/judicialaffairs. The handbook includes the revised student code
of conduct, calendar of events, free student planner and general information guide. Students may pick
up a free planner and handbook at the Student Service Desk in the University Commons, Building 22;
Student Service Desk in the Health, Leisure and Sports Facility, Building 72; and the Dean of Students
Office, Building 21, Room 130.
The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the rules, regulations and expected behavior of students
enrolled at the University of West Florida. Violations of any rules, regulations, or behavioral expectations
may result in a charge of violating the Student Code of Conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to read
the Student Code of Conduct and conduct themselves accordingly. You may access the current Student
Code of Conduct at http://www.uwf.edu/judicialaffairs.
As future professionals in the criminal justice field (or any profession), the faculty in the Department of
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies believe you should be held to the highest standards. Please note that
your reputation is extremely important for future employment. Of particular importance is that you do not
represent another person’s work as your own. I refer you to the Rights and Regulations section of the
Student Handbook. These policies will be strictly adhered to and enforced should the situation arise.
All UWF students have access to a free UWF email address and you are to activate that account.
Occasionally, changes to the syllabus, class meetings, assignments, etc., may be distributed
electronically. It will be your responsibility to make sure you get this information from your UWF student
email account.
All reading assignments refer to the Kappeler and Potter textbook, unless otherwise noted. All materials
in the assigned readings (including key terms) are your responsibility. This syllabus is subject to revision,
as announced in Desire2Learn (D2L/eLearning).
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CCJ2002 Course Schedule (Summer 2007)
WK1: June 27- July 3
Introduction to the Online Learning Environment
Overview of Course
Chapter 1: The Social Construction of Crime Myths; Chapter 2:
Crime Waves, Crime Fears & the Social Reality of Crime
EX EX EX
WK2: July 4 – 10
Chapter 2: Crime Waves, Crime Fears & the Social Reality of Crime;
Chapter 8: Myths of the War on Drugs
X
WK3: July 11 - 17
WK4: July 18 - 24
Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, and 8
15: Merging Myths and Misconceptions of Crime & Justice
Chapter 10: Myths and Misconceptions of Police Work
Chapter 11: The Myth of Equal Justice
Quiz
Topic
Blog
Week
X
X
X
WK5: July 25 - 31
Exam 2: Chapters 10, 11, and 15
Chapter 13: The Myth of a Lenient Criminal Justice System; Chapter
X
WK6: Aug 1 - 7
Chapter 12: The Mythical Utility of Punishment
X
Aug 9
Exam 3: Chapters 12 and 13
Exam
Writing
Assignment
Due this Week
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
Wednesday
Week
27-June
1
Thursday Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
28-June
30-June
01-July
02-July
03-July
CCJ2002
begins!
Practice blog
posted
Chs. 1 & 2
Week
04-July
2
05-July
Chs. 2 & 8
Week
11-July
3
12-July
29-June
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Response
postings
Response
postings
Response
postings due by
11:00pm
06-July
08-July
09-July
10-July
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Response
postings
Response
postings
Quiz 1
13-July
15-July
16-July
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Response
postings
Response
Response
postings
postings due by
Writing
Assignment 11:00pm
1
20-July
22-July
23-July
07-July
14-July
Response
postings due by
11:00pm
17-July
Take Exam 1
between 7 am
and 7 pm
Ch. 15
Week
18-July
4
19-July
Chs. 10 & 11
Week
25-July
5
26-July
21-July
24-July
Response
postings due by
11:00pm
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Response
postings
Response
postings
Quiz 2
27-July
29-July
30-July
Response
postings
Response
Response
postings
postings due by
Writing
11:00pm
Assignment
2
28-July
31-July
Take Exam 2
between 7 am
and 7 pm
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Ch. 13
6
Ch. 12
Week 6 01-August
Wednesday
Post your
Response
blog entry by
postings
11:00 pm
Response
postings
Response
postings
Quiz 3
Response
postings due by
11:00pm
02-August 03-August 04-August
05-August 06-August
07-August
Thursday Friday
Sunday
Tuesday
Saturday
Monday
Take Exam 3 on Thursday August 9 between 7 am and 7 pm.
7