CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
SYLLABUS FOR CJSA 1322
Introduction to Criminal Justice (Hybrid)
Semester Hours Credit: 3
In Class Sessions –Wednesdays, 5:30 pm 9:30 pm
with additional, weekly online discussions
and assignments
Instructor: Eduardo J. Bastidas
Course Dates: 4 Nov 2013 – 13 Dec 2013
Office hours: By Appointment
Email: ctcbastidas@gmail.com
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The study of the history and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical
consideration; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal
justice system; law enforcement; court system; prosecution and defense; trial
process; corrections.
B.
This course is required to meet curriculum requirements for the Central Texas
College Criminal Justice (CRIJ) associate of applied science degree program.
C.
This course is occupationally related and serves as preparation for careers in
Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Corrections.
D.
Prerequisite (s): (None)
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Introduction to Criminal Justice, the
student will:
A.
Describe and explain the history, philosophy and ethical considerations of
criminal justice.
B.
Define the nature and impact of crime on society and how it is integrated in
to the criminal justice system.
C.
Distinguish between the civil and criminal court systems.
D.
Interpret the relationship between the components of the criminal justice
system.
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III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. Textbook:
Introduction to Criminal Justice, 7th edition
Robert M. Bohm, University of Central Florida
Keith N. Haley, Tiffin University
ISBN: 0077602811
Copyright year: 2011
http://www.mhhe.com/bohm7e
B. Supplementary Reading:
1. Samaha, Joel, Criminal Justice, 6th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing,
2003.
2. Schmalleger, Frank, Criminal Justice Today, 7th Ed, Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2003
3. Wrobleski, Henry, & Karen Hess, Introduction to Law Enforcement &
Criminal Justice, 7th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2003.
4. Oliver, Willard, Community-Orientated Policing, 3rd Ed, Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004
5. Senna, Joseph & Larry Siegel, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 9th Ed,
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2002.
6. Cole, George, Marc Gertz, & Amy Bunger, The Criminal Justice System:
Poltics and Policy, 8th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Publishing, 2002.
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.
Attendance is not “optional”. You must 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.
C.
You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the semester. 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
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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.
Special Work: A term paper or other research project, per requirements of
the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the
course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a
selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and
has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT
A. This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-toface classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via the internet. It is the
student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may
email the instructor.
B. The course will meet for six weeks--once a week--for a four-hour session. In addition,
instructional strategies will include weekly online discussion and use of e-mail to
develop case studies and group collaboration/projects.
C. When the class does not meet face-to-face, communication with the instructor will be
via email. The instructor must have an accurate e-mail address for each student, and
students need to check their inbox regularly for assignment instructions and
submission requirements.
VI. EXAMINATIONS
A.
There will be two major examinations, as follows:
1. Mid-term exam
2. Final exam
B.
All students must be present for all examinations. No make-up
examinations will be given unless the absence is justified in accordance
with Central Texas College policies.
C.
Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed
examination.
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D.
Examinations will consist of objective and subjective essay questions. All
Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form,
thus knowledge about composition and writing of an essay answer will be
required. It is strongly suggested that students become familiar with the
APA writing style.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Grade Instruments
Blackboard Discussion
Boards and wikis
Class Attendance
Class Participation
Mid Term Examination
Research Paper
Final Exam
Points Possible
30
% of Final Grade
30%
10
10
15
20
15
Points Possible: 100
10%
10%
15%
20%
15%
100% of Final Grade
POINTS
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
0 – 59
GRADES
A = 4 pts/sem hr
B = 3 pts/sem hr
C = 2 pts/sem hr
D = 1 pt/sem hr
F = 0 pts/sem hr
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE
INSTRUCTOR
A.
Withdrawal from Course: It is the student's responsibility to officially drop a class
if circumstances prevent attendance. Any student who desires to, or must,
officially withdraw from a course after the first scheduled class meeting must file
a Central Texas College Application for Withdrawal (CTC Form 59). The
withdrawal form must be signed by the student.
CTC Form 59 will be accepted at any time prior to Friday of the 12th week of
classes during the 16-week fall and spring semesters. The deadline for sessions of
other lengths is as follows:
10-week session Friday of the 8th week
8-week session Friday of the 6th week
5-week session Friday of the 4th week
The equivalent date (75% of the semester) will be used for sessions of other
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lengths. The specific last day to withdraw is published each semester in the
Schedule Bulletin.
Students who officially withdraw will be awarded the grade of "W," provided the
student's attendance and academic performance are satisfactory at the time of
official withdrawal. Students must file a withdrawal application with the college
before they may be considered for withdrawal.
A student may not withdraw from a class for which the instructor has previously
issued the student a grade of "F" or "FN" for nonattendance.
B.
An Administrative Withdrawal: An administrative withdrawal may be initiated
when the student fails to meet College attendance requirements. The instructor
will assign the appropriate grade on the Administrative Withdrawal Form for
submission to the registrar.
C.
An Incomplete Grade: The College Catalog states, "An incomplete grade may be
given in those cases where the student has completed the majority of the course
work, but because of personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military
orders, is unable to complete all the requirements for a course." Prior approval
from the instructor is required before the grade of "I" is recorded. A student who
merely fails to show for the final examination will receive a zero for the final and
an "F" for the course.
D.
Cellular Phones and Beepers: Cellular phones and beepers will be turned off
while the student is in the classroom or laboratory.
E.
American's With Disabilities Act (ADA): Students requiring accommodations for
disabilities are responsible for notifying the instructor. Reasonable
accommodations will be granted in full compliance with federal and state law and
Central Texas College policy.
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.
H.
Absences: Students are required to contact the instructor prior to an absence and
may be required to provide documentation supporting the absence.
1. Excused Absences: Students will be offered make up assignments in
order to maximize their participation points. Students are expected to take
full responsibility for class attendance. When absent from the class for any
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reason, the student has the responsibility to make up assignments missed
during the absences.
2. Unexcused Absences: Students will not be offered make up work for
unexcused absences. Students may also be administratively withdrawn
from any class when their absences exceed a total three class meetings for
less than a 16-week courses and; in the opinion of the instructor, the
student cannot satisfactorily complete the course.
I.
Late Assignments: Students are required to contact the instructor prior to
submitting late work. Late work may be penalized, and work turned in late
without notice will be given a zero.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1 Chapters 1, 2 and 3. Discussion Board 1
Week 2 Chapters 4, 5 and 6.
Discussion Board 2
Week 3 Chapters 6, 7 and 8. Discussion Board 3
Week 4 Chapters Review/Question and Answer Session Discussion Board 4
Midterm Exam, 27 Nov 2013, on all material covered up to date.
Week 5 Chapters 9, 10 and 11 Discussion Board 5
Week 6 Chapters 12, 13 and 14. Discussion Board 6
Final Exam/Project due, 13 Dec 2013.
Rubrics on the specific Discussion Board and Final Exam/project will be posted on
Blackboard. In order to get the maximum amount of points, the student must comply
with each requirement on the rubric.
Items of Interest:
1. This class deals in very “touchy” subjects… gang activity, murder and
prostitution are just very brief examples. In a few occasions, we will be watching
films that may contain scenes that depending on our religious affiliation may be
offensive. If you get offended easily or have religious or personal issues that will
preclude you to actively participate in this course, I would strongly recommend
you revise those issues or find a different area of interest.
2. I understand that many of us are either military veterans or active duty. In that
environment, often the “rules of behavior” vary from the social norm. Because
not all students come from the same background, we will refrain from using
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words or language (verbal or non-verbal) that may be acceptable in the military
but could offend others.
3. I use the Socratic Seminar method of instruction. This means that the student
needs to be prepared to apply the material to real life situations and/or openly
discuss the issues at hand. The only way that you can do this coherently, is by
reading the material before class. Attendance and book ownership ARE NOT
optional.
4. If you must have a cell phone due to duty or parenthood, you must keep it in the
vibrating mode and in your pocket. Under NO circumstance, the students will be
allowed to text, chat or other wise use a wireless device to communicate during
class.
5. Because of the past budget restrictions, this class has been tailored to fit the term
schedule making accommodations for the late registrations due to lack of funds.
As a consequence, the schedule has been compressed in 6 weeks instead of 8.
Please plan accordingly and keep up with the readings/assignments.
About the instructor: I am a retired Navy veteran with 26 years of service. I have been
actively teaching since 1993 and have taught for several universities and colleges in the
United States including the University of Maryland and Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University. I am currently a full-time Associate Professor with Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University Worldwide Campus. I have a Master’s of Science in
Criminology and a Master’s of Arts in Applied Sociology from Norfolk State University
and Old Dominion University respectively. My main area of expertise is Security and
Intelligence, and I have developed several courses and seminars for my current employer
(ERAU). I look forward to having you in the class.
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