ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Course Syllabus
Spring Semester 2012
Instructor:
Dr. Marlene M. Ramsey
Email address:
Marlene.Ramsey@asurams.edu
Office Phone:
online in the classroom only
Course Name:
American Corrections
Field of Study:
Criminal Justice
Class Location:
ONLINE
Prerequisites:
CRJU 2800
Textbook
Title:
American Corrections
Author:
Todd Clear, George Cole and Michael Reisig
Publisher
Thomson Publishing: 9th edition, 2010
Course Description
This course examines the history, philosophy and components of the American Correctional
System. Emphasis will be laid on the historical development of corrections systems practices,
treatment of offenders, goals of corrections, and special needs of offender’s in the system. This
course will discuss in details the use of prison as the principal means of punishing criminal
offenders and controlling criminal behavior. It will also look at evolutions of the prison system
from the 18th century to the present.
Course Overall Objectives and Learning Outcomes
To understand correction and penology in this country
To understand the origin, development and evolution of corrections
To discuss the history of corrections through the various periods and era: from earliest times
through A.D 1700; between17000 to 1800 to the 1960’s; and from 1960s to present-modern era of
prisons
To distinguish between prison and jail
To understand the functions and differences between probation and parole
To understand prisoner’s rights versus society’s call for confinement
To improve the students understanding of empirical research and its role in measuring the impact
of policies.
Course Evaluation
Quizzes:
There will be 6 weekly quizzes throughout this course. Questions
will come from the textbook material as well as any additional notes,
readings, references, or other resources utilized. Questions will be
primarily objective in nature (true, false, multiple choice, and
matching) but there may be on occasion some essay, short answer or
fill-in-the-blank. Each examination will be worth 100 points.
Exams:
There will be 1 final exam. Questions will come from the textbook
material as well as any additional notes, readings, references, or
other resources utilized. Questions will be primarily objective in
nature (true, false, multiple choice, and matching. The final exam
will be worth 100 points.
Writing Assignments:
Each of you will complete 1 writing assignments as part of this
course. Further instructions will be provided and made available in
class. Each paper must be the work of the student submitting such.
Submitting work written by someone else or failing to credit a
source through the use of appropriate citations is plagiarism and will
be treated as indicated under the cheating policy. You must follow
the directions as indicated or your grade will be reduced
significantly. These assignments will be provided to you during the
semester.
Discussion Requirements:
Discussion board posting requirements have been posted for you.
Most importantly, remember that discussions are required and a
significant part of your grade.
Late Assignments
Generally, late assignments are not accepted. Please submit all
assignments on time to avoid penalty.
Acceptable Excuses for Late Assignments: Hospitalization, documented illness, or a death in the
immediate family constitute valid excuses. With a valid excuse, a student may be given an
opportunity to take a make up examination, which will consist solely of essay, short answer, and
fill-in-the-blank. Without a valid excuse, a student will not have an opportunity to take a make up
examination and will receive a zero. Remember, make-up examinations are a privilege, not a right,
and are provided at my discretion.
Grading System:
1 Final Examinations
25% of Grade
6 Weekly Quizzes
25% of Grade
1 Writing Assignment
25% of Grade
Weekly Discussion Assignments
________________________________
25% of Grade
All of the Above Four components worth 100% of Grade
Final Tabulation: 90 – 100 = A, 80 – 89 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 =
D, 59 and below = F
Special Accomodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Albany State University will honor requests for reasonable
accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Students
must self-disclose their disability to the office of Disability Services.
Course Honesty Policy:
Albany State University has an academic honesty policy in
compliance with the University System of Georgia. It will be adhered
to without exception. This policy, which can be found in the “Albany
University Student Handbook:
1. The receiving or giving of
unauthorized assistance in the
preparation of any academic or
clinical laboratory assignment is
prohibited.
2. The taking or attempt to take,
stealing, or otherwise procuring
in an unauthorized manner any
material pertaining to the
educational process is prohibited.
3. The selling, giving, lending, or
otherwise furnishing to any
unauthorized persons the
questions and/or answers to any
examination known to be
scheduled at any subsequent date
is prohibited.
4. The fabricating, forging, falsifying
of laboratory and/or clinical
results is prohibited.
5. Plagiarism is prohibited. Themes,
essays, term papers, tests, and
other similar requirements must
be the work of the student
submitting them. When direct
quotations are used, they must be
indicated and when the indicated
and when the ideas of another are
incorporated into the paper, they
must be appropriately
acknowledged.
There will be zero-tolerance policy in this course regarding any
violation of the academic honesty policy. Violations will result in
removal from the class, issuance of a failing grade, and referral
to the judicial committee.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in accordance with the Albany State University Policy. It is
the policy of this University that students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes,
laboratories, or clinical sessions when reasonably possible. Some justified and unavoidable
absences are expected. Absences in excess of 10% of the sessions scheduled may reduce the grade
for the course. A student is expected to account for absences, preferably in advance, to the
instructor of the course and, at the discretion of the instructor, to promptly make up the work
missed. Divisions or departments may have class attendance policies of a more specific nature
within this general policy statement. Each instructor shall provide detailed policies and procedures
in writing to each student at the beginning of the course. Students who miss class while serving as
jurors will not be penalized for such absences but will be required to make up class work missed as
a result of jury service. See the Student Handbook for details.
Online Expectations
Participation: You will be expected to maintain online access, consult Moodle
regularly, and complete discussions, assignments, quizzes, and exams every week
and during the week these items are due. While online courses offer flexibility, they
also require self-discipline and motivation in that you must keep up with week work
that is due: discussions, assignments, quizzes, and exams. If you fall behind, this
affects your ability to pass this course! Therefore, I strongly urge you to review the
syllabus, day one announcement, weekly assignments, and discussions to determine
if this online course is right for you, your schedule, and your level of motivation!
Everything in this course takes place online!
Weekly Learning Schedule
Week 1
Classes Begin February 28, 2013
Review Syllabus
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Become Familiar with Links in Course
Week 2
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 3
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 4
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 5
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 6
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 7
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
You have a written assignment due this week!
Complete weekly quiz by Sunday Night
Week 8
Read Daily Announcements
Read Assigned Chapters and review assigned PowerPoints
Post in Discussion Forum by Sunday Night
Respond to 1 Peer’s Posting by Sunday Night
Complete Final Exam
Disclaimer: The following course coverage is tentative and may change
due to course issues and exigent circumstances. Therefore, the information
that will be covered on each examination is subject to change as we progress
through the semester. It is your responsibility to keep up with any changes
made to this schedule. Please attend class to maximize your opportunity to
do so.