Course Syllabus*
Spring 2005
Foundations of Criminal Justice (CRJU 1101)
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone No.:
Email:
Office Hours:
Professor X.
SS 117
(555) 555-6247
teacher@suny.edu
Monday and Wednesday (11 am – 12:15 pm)
Tuesday & Thursday (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
Or by appointment
Class Meeting:
Classroom:
9:30 am – 10:45 (M,W)
WH RM. 121
Course Description
The course provides an overview of the criminal justice system. Emphasis will be on
crime in America, the criminal justice process, law enforcement, adjudication,
punishment, corrections, and prisons.
Required Text:
Schmalleger, Frank. 2004. Criminal Justice Today (8th edition).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
There will be articles placed on reserve in the library.
Course Goals:
(1) Provide students with knowledge of the basic functions of the criminal justice system
(2) Inform students of the challenge and delicate balance between community interest
and individual rights as the justice system responds to crime in society
(3) Discuss some of the important problems facing the criminal justice system, i.e.,
terrorism, cybercrime, corporate crime, juvenile justice, sentencing guidelines
(4) Provide students with an opportunity to participate in the criminal justice process
through mock trial exercise
Class Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to attend classes and participate in classroom discussion. Class
attendance is considered part of the total grade (20 points). Attendance will be taken, and
students who miss 4 classes or more will not earn any attendance/participation points.
Class and lab attendance can help better students’ grades. Students present in class can
participate in discussions, and take lecture notes on materials unavailable in the textbook.
Note taking in class is recommended since all of the lectures, including information in the
handouts and lab, are subject to examination.
Special Announcements
There may be a guest lecturer during the semester.
Course Requirements
Grades will be based on the following requirements:
(1) Three examinations (120 total points with each exam worth 40 points). The exams
may consist of multiple-choice, true and false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions.
(2) Group Project/ Mock Trial Exercise (40 total points with 20 points for the writing
assignment) Each student is required to participate in the mock trial exercise.
a. Each student will write a paper summarizing the case facts, issue, law
and application of the law to the facts, suggesting an outcome.
b. The paper should not exceed 5-pages.
c.
The paper will be typed in a Times New Roman font size 12,
double-spaced, and have 1-inch margins on all sides. Neither
boldface nor italicization is needed in the paper.
d. Go through the University Writing Center for grammar and paper
organization checks. Student will submit the revised version of the
paper with proof that a Writing Center staff member has consulted
with him/her on the draft. Papers that have not been through the
writing Center will not be accepted. The Center staff may be busy
with other students; therefore, extra time should be allowed in case an
appointment (instead of a drop-in) is needed.
e. Papers are to be turned in by Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Five points
per day will be deducted for papers that are turned in after the
deadline.
(3.) Participation in class discussions (20 points): The instructor will cover the materials
through both lectures and class discussions. Students should read the assigned materials
before attending the class so that they can engage in thoughtful and meaningful
discussions regarding issues in law enforcement. Active and willing participation in
class discussions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Drop Date
The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is March 4, 2005
Grading Policy
Grades in this course will not be curved and given according to the following scales:
Score
Grade
180- 200
160-179
140-159
120-139
Below 110
A
B
C
D
F
Make-up Exam Policy
Each student is expected to take all the exams on the scheduled dates. Students with a
valid excuse (and hopefully with prior approval from the instructor) for missing a
scheduled exam may make up one test. Make-exams must be taken within one week
from the scheduled exam date. The make-up exam will consist entirely of essay
questions. Students can make up one exam only.
** There will be no make-up for the term paper and group project.
Extra Credit and Incomplete Grade
Under no circumstances will extra points or incomplete grade be given in this course. If
necessary, students must drop the class before the given deadlines.
Disability Statement
Any student who needs special accommodation in this class must notify the instructor as
early in the semester as possible. Verification from KSU Student Support Services is
required.
Academic Dishonesty
The University expects every student to engage in all pursuits in a manner that is
academically irreproachable. Any student in this class who is involved in any form of
academic dishonesty, including cheating on exams or plagiarizing all or part of
someone’s paper, will receive an “F” grade for this class. The individual(s) will also be
dealt with according to the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia.
Reading Assignments
Classroom presentations by the instructor will go beyond the scope of the reading
assignments. It will be assumed that students know the concepts and terms presented in
the reading materials. Do not assume that all the materials in the text will be presented in
the classroom.
Date
Topic
Readings
1/10
Introduction & Course Requirements
Syllabus
1/12
What is Criminal Justice?
Ch. 1
1/17
Holiday – NO CLASS
1/19
What is Criminal Justice?
Ch. 1
1/24
Crime Picture
Ch. 2
1/26
Search for Causes
Ch. 3
1/31 & 2/2
Criminal Law
Exam Review
Ch. 4
2/7
Exam
2/9 & 2/14
History and Structure
Police Organization & Mngt
Ch. 5 & 6
2/16
Policing: Legal Aspects
Ch. 7
2/21 - 2/23 & 28
Policing: Issues and Challenges
Ch. 8
3/2
Courts: Structure & Participants
Ch. 9
3/7 & 3/9
Spring Break- NO CLASS
3/14
Exam Review
3/16
Exam
3/21 & 3/23
Pretrial Activities &
Criminal Trials
Mock Trial Packets
Ch. 10
3/28 & 3/30
Sentencing
Ch. 11
4/4 & 4/6
Probation, Parole, and Community
Corrections
Ch. 12 & 13
4/11 & 4/13
Juvenile Justice
Ch. 15
4/18
Mock Trial Prep
4/20 & 4/25
Mock Trial Exercise
Mock Trial Papers Due*
4/27
Exam Review
5/2
Final Exam
(Mon – 9:30 AM)
* The syllabus is tentative. Changes will be announced in class and supplemental
syllabus may be provided as the semester progresses.