SYLLABUS FOR CJSA 1176
Introduction to Gangs & Gang Infiltration of the
Military
Semester Hours Credit: 1
Lecture Hours: 16
Course Dates/Times: 27 Jan to 7 Feb 2014 / 1100 - 1245
FOR STUDENTS OF
THE REAL WORLD.
Instructor: Valerie Alvarado
Office Hours: 0830-1630, Monday-Friday
Instructor Email: valerie.a.alvarado@gmail.com
Phone: 616-729-279 or 727-2574
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Valerie Alvarado received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University.
She pursued her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and
received her diploma in May 2007.
From 2002-2006, Valerie attended the Law Enforcement Academy in Panama City, Florida and
became a Police Officer for the city. From 2006-2011, Valerie and her husband received orders
to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She worked for University of Phoenix and was adjunct faculty
for Remington College. In 2011, her husband received orders to Rota, Spain. Valerie started
working for Central Texas College, in January 2012, as an instructor and was later hired as a
substitute field representative in March 2012. She took over as the field representative in August
2012. She was promoted to Local Program Manager January 2013.
I. INTRODUCTION
A: This seminar offers an introduction to gangs in America and the infiltration of gangs in the
United States military. We will study major gangs, the role of police, schools and
community in preventing gang activity. In addition, we will explore the infiltration of
gangs in the military, and the adjudication of gang members and gang activity within the
military.
B. This course is not a requirement for the Associates of Applied Science degree in Criminal
Justice. This is a Criminal Justice elective course that will apply one credit toward the
students’ achievement of their degree.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in Criminal
Justice, Law Enforcement, and Corrections.
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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A. Define what constitutes a gang and know the names and defining characteristics of major
gangs in America. (i.e., gang tenets, signs, colors of clothing, tattoos, graffiti, behavior,
shared backgrounds, and terrain.)
B. Discuss the roles of police, prosecution, prison systems, schools (D.A.R.E. and C.R.A.S.H.
programs), and communities with respect to gang suppression, intervention, and
prevention.
C. Address the problem of gang infiltration into the military, including why gang members
join, how they slip through various screening mechanisms, the impact of gangs in the
military and military training used in the service of gang activity, and the adjudication of
identified gang members and gang activity within the military.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A: TEXT: None Required. The instructor may distribute reading assignments which must
be read before the first meeting of class.
B. Resources:
Youth Gangs in American Society by Sheldon, Tracey, and Brown, 3rd Ed. Wadsworth
Pub. 2003.
Gangs, Graffiti, and Violence: A realistic guide to the scope and nature of gangs in
America, by Leet, Rush, and Smith, 2nd Ed, Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.
Gangs and their Tattoos: Identifying Gang Bangers on the Street and in Prison, by
Valentine and Schober, 1st Ed, Paladin Press, 2000.
Gang Intelligence Manual: Identifying and Understanding Modern-Day Violent Gangs in
the United States, by Valentine, 1st Ed, Paladin Press, 1995.
Understanding Street Gangs, by Jackson, 1st Ed, Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.
Juvenile Gangs, by Covey, Menard, and Franzese, 2nd Ed, CC Thomas Pub, 1997.
Gangsters in the Ranks: http://www.gangsorus.com/military.htm and articles from Army
Times on 3 Sept 2007 and Stars and Stripes on Feb. 8, 2008
PowerPoint on Gangsters in the Ranks:
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=42434&archive=true
Parents, Educators, and Strong Communities - the first defense against gang membership;
resources for families: http://www.gangsorus.com/parents.html
C: Supplemental Reading:
Fleisher, Mark S. Dead End Kids: Gang Girls and the Boys They Know. Madison,
Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press. 2000.
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Shakur, Sanyika, aka Monster Kody Scott. Monster: The Autobiography of an LA Gang
Member. New York, New York. Grove Press. 1993.
Short, James F. Jr., and Hughes, Lorine A., Eds. Studying Youth Gangs. Oxford, United
Kingdom. Oxford University Press. 2006.
Simpson, Colton. Inside the Crips. New York, New York. St. Martin's Press. 2005.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be
the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions
and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented
from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’
under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog:
http://www.ctcd.edu/catintro.htm.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning,
you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will
prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your
course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation,
initiative, attendance, and individual research papers will be considered in grade
computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of
the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill
your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook to class. Keep
informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material
assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest
standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during
examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit
to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in
the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance
by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
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V. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be one major examination, as follows:
1. Final exam which will consist of several short essay questions.
B. Students majoring in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement must be able to communicate
both orally and in written form, thus questions requiring the composition and writing of an
essay answer will be required.
C. A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they
will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early
examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require
the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
D. Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Attendance and Participation: 25 points
Presentation:
25 points
Final Exam:
50 points
Total:
100 points
90-100 Grade - A
80- 89 Grade - B
70- 79 Grade - C
60- 69 Grade - D
Less than 60 Grade - F
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely
withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for
more details, at http://europe.ctcd.edu/library/catalog.php.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and
are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student
Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or
institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title
IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the
source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to
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officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon
a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated
Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student
Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75%
of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Nonattendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be
assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the
exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be
assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness,
death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting
documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision
concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students
are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official
letter grade. This date can be determined by the instructor but must be within 45 days of
the course end date. After completion of the work the instructor can then change the
grade of “IP” to the appropriate letter grade. If this work is not completed by the
specified date the instructor will change the grade to “F”.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the
student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class
purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational
experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to
do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
This course outline is based on 10 classes of 1 hour and 45 minutes each.
Day One (Monday Jan 27th) - Attendance, introduction, review syllabus, exam, and course
requirements, Q and A, and lecture.
Day Two (Tuesday Jan 28th) - Definition of a gang, behaviors, and major characteristics
Day Three (Wednesday Jan 29th) - Signs and symbols of gangs
Day Four (Thursday Jan 30th) - Ethnic based gangs
Day Five (Friday Jan 31st) -Youth gangs
Day Six (Monday Feb 3) - Female gangs
Day Seven (Tuesday Feb 4) - Military gangs
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Day Eight (Wednesday Feb 5) - Police and gangs
Day Nine (Thursday Feb 6) - Gang presentations
Day Ten (Friday Feb 7) – Final Exam
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