Fall 2010 Syllabus
AJ100
Introduction to Administration of Justice
3 Credit Hour
Textbook
Essentials of Criminal Justice, 6th Ed
Siegel, Larry J.
Division of Mathematics & Applied Science
Instructor: Wanda Backstrom
1
INTRODUCTION TO ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
FALL 2010
Course Number:
AJ100
Time & Day:
8:00 – 8:55 am
Location:
Room #203
Instructor:
Wanda Backstrom
Monday – Wednesday - Friday
Office:
Phone:
(785) 243-6343 cell
(785) 243-8170 work
Email:
ccsobackstrom@12jd.org
Required
Materials:
Textbook, notebook paper, pen or pencil
Office Hours:
Advisement Center: See schedule posted in Room #231
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the philosophy, development and history of the American Criminal Justice
System. It identifies the segments of which the criminal justice system including legislative, judicial, law
enforcement, and corrections. It introduces the student to the criminal justice system’s role as it relates to the
individual and to society.
PREREQUISITE:
None
SEQUENCING: Every Fall Semester
2
METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING
Students will be expected to complete a variety of assignments, quizzes and exams. A student’s final grade will
be evaluated according to the following grade scale:
GRADING SCALE
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 – 60
F = 59 – 0
1. Homework Assignment: Assignments will be given out to students to research. The instructions for
each assignment will be given by the instructor at the time the assignment is assigned. Each assignment
is worth 10 points each.
2. Video / Guest Speaker Assignment : A movie selected by the instructor will be watched in class.
Discussion will be held at the conclusion or the next class session.
When a guest speaker is invited to class you will be required to participate in the discussion following
the presentation.
3.
Exams: 5 exams will be given covering multiple chapters and lecture. The exams will include short
answer questions, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and true/false. Each exam is worth 150 points.
a. Exam #1 will cover Chapter’s #1 - #3
b. Exam #2 will cover Chapter’s #4 - #6
c. Exam #3 will cover Chapter’s #7 - #9
d. Exam #4 will cover Chapter’s #10 - #12
e. Exam #5 will cover Chapter’s #13 and #14
4. Final Exam: This will be exam #5 covering the final chapters.
5. Quizzes: Quizzes will be in multiple choice, T/F, essay / short answer form and fill-in-the-blank. There
will be a quiz at the end of each chapter. Each quiz will be worth 20 points.
6.
Class Participation: Students are expected to be prepared when called upon to discuss material covered
in any and all readings and lectures. Students are expected to have completed all assigned readings prior
to the date for which they are assigned. Students will be required to participate in class either through
group/class discussion, group/class activities and class Q & A sessions. Every day you attend class,
participate, and are on time to class you will be awarded 10 points for every class session. Points will be
deducted each day based upon your performance.
7. Field Trips: When a field trip can be scheduled and the majority of the class can attend arrangements
will be made. Field trips will be extra credit.
8. Extra Credit: Other outside opportunities may be available for extra credit.
3
TEACHING METHODS:
One or more of the following methods will be used to instruct this course.
 Lecture
 Demonstration / Examples
 Discussion
 PowerPoint Presentation / Overheads
 Video
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Make Up Work Policy:
Students are expected to attend every class session, to participate in class discussions, and to complete class
activities on the date scheduled. No in-class activities or assignments can be made up unless there are
extenuating circumstances and the student has spoken with the instructor or a student has spoken to the
instructor prior to class. Exams and quizzes can be made up if the instructor is contacted prior to class and only
if there are extenuating circumstances. An alternate version of the exam and quiz may be given. The scheduling
of the make up exam is at the discretion of the instructor.
Late Work Policy:
Students are expected to submit all outside-of-class assignments and projects on the due date. The instructor
acknowledges that at times extenuating circumstances occur, so late work or alternative assignments will be
considered on a case by case basis by the instructor.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in
class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
 Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking
someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or
help on a quiz/exam.
 Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation,
giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does
the work himself/herself with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or
help during an exam.
4
2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books
to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are
taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been
corrected.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of
University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University)
Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a
book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not
your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and
supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording,
appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a
paper as your own that you did not write.
PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS:
Policies will be enforced in accordance with the academic “Conduct” section that is established by Cloud
County Community College.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in my classroom. Anyone who is caught plagiarizing will
receive a zero (0) on that assignment, quiz, paper or exam.. The student will be disallowed in the class until
they have met with the professor (and possibly the Division Dean & Student Services) regarding the infraction.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance in class is the student’s responsibility. Students are expected to attend class unless they are
participating in scheduled school activities or have been excused by the instructor. Students cannot excessively
miss class and effectively complete the course assignments. In case you are late or absent from class, it is your
responsibility to get the course notes, handouts and turn in assignments.
Student’s are expected to have completed all assigned readings prior to the date for which they are assigned.
Your participation will be evaluated through class attendance, participation in class discussions, and attendance
at field trips.
Remember: Attendance is necessary to be able to participate.
CONDUCT:
Mature behavior is expected and required.
Participation and Professionalism are part of each student’s grade. As an educational institution designed to
help students acquire and maintain viable employment, we strive to teach professionalism to our students. To
be professional, a sense of responsibility and accountability must be displayed. Each student is expected to:




Arrive on time to each class session.
Be prepared for each class session.
Complete all assigned work on time.
Participate in each class session.
5







Dress appropriately for an academic setting.
Not engage in disruptive behavior in the classroom including arguments, quarreling, or fighting.
Treat all persons at Cloud County Community College, whether fellow students, administrative staff
or faculty, with the same respect and understanding they would like to receive.
Not display behavior, speech, or body language that would make anyone feel threatened.
Refrain from using profane, offensive or inflammatory language.
Limit private conversations to outside the classroom.
You may bring non-alcoholic beverages into the classroom; however, you may not bring food.
TUTOR ASSISTANCE:
Tutors are available in the Learning Skills Center. Contact the Learning Skills Center for more information.
INCOMPLETE POLICY:
Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described
in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and
must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the
Student Handbook for a complete explanation.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:
Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic
complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: (If applicable)
DEPARTMENT GOALS:
Students who complete a Vocational/Technical course at Cloud County Community College should be able to:
 Demonstrate Vocational/Technical literacy
 Demonstrate the ability to think critically about Vocational/Technical topics
 Demonstrate the ability to function in a Vocational/Technical environment.
Levels of Learning:
1. The student is able to analyze and evaluate Vocational/Technical topics.
2. The student is able to define, interpret, and discuss Vocational/Technical topics.
3. The student fails to define, interpret, and discuss Vocational/Technical topics.
Standards: Eighty percent of the students completing a Vocational/Technical course at Cloud County
Community College will be able to define, interpret, and discuss Vocational/Technical topics (Level 2).
Evaluation of these goals will be ascertained through a variety of course work that may include reading, writing,
discussion, projects, application of technology, and oral report assignments.
COURSE GOALS (Student Learning Outcomes):
Students who complete this course at Cloud County Community College will be assessed on the course
competencies. Refer to the attached course competency profile sheet.
ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS:
Each semester student learning success will be assessed. This semester course goals will be assessed by
evaluating the course competencies.
6
1. Eighty percent of the students will score a Level 1 or higher on eighty percent of the course
competencies
2. Fifty percent of the students will score a Level 2 or higher on eighty percent of the course
competencies.
3. Thirty percent of the students will score a Level 3 or higher on eighty percent of the course
competencies.
PROGRAM EXIT GOALS:
Students who complete an Administration of Justice course at Cloud County Community College should be
able to:
-
Have a general knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system and its major components;
law enforcement, corrections, and the courts.
Recognize historical aspects of criminal justice in the United States and understand their importance and
relationship to the current criminal justice system.
Know the important components of the criminal justice system and how they interconnect.
Recognize the importance of the United States Constitution to the criminal justice system and know
relative Amendments in the Bill of Rights.
Understand the importance of the Bill of Rights as it relates and applies to law enforcement.
Understand the importance of the Bill of Rights as it relates and applies to corrections.
Understand the workings of the court system and its role in procedural law.
Understand the role of the police in the criminal justice system.
Recognize the goals of corrections and understand their application to current sanctions. Recognize
theories of criminality, their differences, and their function in criminal justice.
Understand the concept of probation and parole.
Recognize differences between public and private policing.
Understand court opinions and their impact on police operation and evidentiary concerns
Know the basic foundation of criminal law in the United States and its current application
Recognize current trends and concerns in law enforcement and corrections
.
ASSESSMENT of PROGRAM SUCCESS:
Each semester student learning success will be assessed. This semester program goals will be assessed by
evaluating program competencies.
1. Ninety percent of the students will score a Level 1 or higher on one-hundred percent of the program
competencies
2. Eighty percent of the students will score a Level 2 or higher on eighty percent of the program.
3. Fifty percent of the students will score a Level 3 or higher on eighty percent of the program
competencies.
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY:
If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an
appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the Advisement
Center.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be
notified:
KNCK
1390 AM
Concordia
KCLY
100.9 FM
Clay Center
7
KREP
KVSV
WIBW (TV)
KOLN (TV)
92.1 FM
1190 AM
Chan. 13
Chan. 10
Belleville
Beloit
Topeka
Lincoln, NE
KHCD
89.5 FM
KSAL
1150 AM
KWCH (TV) Chan. 12
Hutchinson
Salina
Wichita
Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will also be sent out
on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it.
Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to
hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or
to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of
your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once
you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility
of the instructor or staff person.
Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the
alarm will sound.
If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been
designated.
8