Fayetteville State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Criminal Justice
CRJC 200-02 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
Spring 2016
I. Locator Information:
Instructor: Dr. Zahra Shekarkhar
Course # and Name: CRJC 200 Intro to CJ
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Day and Time Class Meets: TR 9:30am-10:45am
Class Location: LTB 242
Total Contact Hours for Class: 40
Email address: zshekark@uncfsu.edu
Office Location: Lauretta Taylor Building, Room 315B
Office Phone: (910) 672-2094
Office hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 1pm-4pm; Tuesdays & Thursdays 11am-12:15pm; or by appointment.
FSU Policy on Electronic Mail: Fayetteville State University provides to each student, free of charge, an electronic
mail account (username@uncfsu.edu) that is easily accessible via the Internet. The university has established FSU email as the
primary mode of correspondence between university officials and enrolled students. Inquiries and requests from students
pertaining to academic records, grades, bills, financial aid, and other matters of a confidential nature must be submitted via FSU
email. Inquiries or requests from personal email accounts are not assured a response. The university maintains open-use
computer laboratories throughout the campus that can be used to access electronic mail.
Rules and regulations governing the use of FSU email may be found at
http://www.uncfsu.edu/PDFs/EmailPolicyFinal.pdf
II. Course Description: A survey course designed to familiarize students with the functions, structure, and organization of
the agencies that are responsible for the administration of justice. Specifically, the course introduces students to the
institutions and processes of law making and enforcement, the judicial system, corrections and the juvenile justice system.
III. Disabled Student Services: In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ACA) of 1990, if you have a disability or think you have a disability to please contact the Center for
Personal Development in the Spaulding Building, Room 155 (1 st Floor); 910-672-1203.
IV. Title IX – Sexual Misconduct
Fayetteville State University (University) is committed to fostering a safe campus environment where sexual misconduct —
including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking - is unacceptable and is not
tolerated. The University encourages students who may have experienced sexual misconduct to speak with someone at the
University so that the University can provide the support that is needed and respond appropriately. The Sexual Misconduct
policy can be found at the following link: http://www.uncfsu.edu/Documents/Policy/students/SexualMisconduct.pdf
Consulting with a Health Care Professional - A student who wishes to confidentially speak about an incident of sexual
misconduct should contact either of the following individuals who are required to maintain confidentiality:
Ms. Dionne Hall
Licensed Professional Counselor
Spaulding Building, Room 167
(910) 672-2167
psmith@uncfsu.edu
Ms. Linda Melvin
Director, Student Health Services
Spaulding Building, Room 121
(910) 672-1454
lmelvi10@uncfsu.edu
Reporting an Incident of Sexual Misconduct - The University encourages students to report incidents of sexual
misconduct. A student who wishes to report sexual misconduct or has questions about University policies and procedures
regarding sexual misconduct should contact the following individual:
Ms. Victoria Ratliff
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Spaulding Building, Room 155
(910) 672-1222
vratliff@uncfsu.edu
Unlike the Licensed Professional Counselor or the Director of Student Health Services, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator is
legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, and therefore cannot guarantee confidentiality, but a request
for confidentiality will be considered and respected to the extent possible.
Students are also encouraged to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the University’s Police and Public Safety
Department at (910) 672-1911.
V. Textbooks:
Gaines, Larry K. and Miller, Roger L. (2015). Criminal Justice in Action: The Core, 8th edition. Stamford, CT: Cengage
Learning.
VI. Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Identify the major components of the U.S. criminal justice system and differentiate the functions of each
component.
Identify and critically examine commonly-held myths about crime and criminal justice.
Examine disparity issues in the U.S. criminal justice system.
Examine how policies and legislation impact the U.S. criminal justice system.
VII. Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria:
Exams
There will be FOUR exams (non-cumulative). The exams may consist of a combination of the following: multiple choice,
true/false, and short essay, fill in the blank, and matching questions based on material presented in class lectures, assigned
readings, and videos.
Each exam will be worth 40 points. Total: 160 points.
Each exam is worth ~16.67% of your final grade. All exams total ~ 67% of your final grade.
In- Class & Take-Home Assignments
Throughout the semester I will hand out a number of assignments, worth a varying amount of points. These assignments
are meant to get you to reflect on the material we discuss or watch. Assignments may include watching films (in-class or
take-home) and filling out a worksheet; short reflection write-ups; puzzles; and/or group work. Puzzles will be posted on
Blackboard with specific instructions on how to turn in and due dates are listed on the course schedule below.
Assignments may not be announced beforehand. Thus, it is important that you attend class every day. The policy on makeup assignments and late work is described below.
Total: 80 points. In-Class & take-home assignments are worth a total of ~33% of your final grade.
Extra Credit: Quizlet
Students will be given access to Quizlet (an online study tool). For each section of the course, content will be uploaded on
Quizlet (by me) for students to test their knowledge of key concepts and terms. There are various activities to choose from
on Quizlet. Students may receive 1 extra credit point for each different activity they engage in on Quizlet, with a maximum
of 3 extra credit points per section. Since there are 4 sections in this course, that is an opportunity to earn 12 extra credit
points. Due dates are listed on the course schedule below. I will be able to track your progress on Quizlet. I will not give
credit for late submissions.
Attendance
Attendance is highly recommended. Power points will be available on Blackboard. I must emphasize that the power points
are meant to serve as a guide for lecture, not a substitute for those who do not come to class. Be aware that anything
discussed in class (whether on the power point or not) is fair game for the exams. In other words, just because something is
not on the power point does NOT mean it will not be on the exam. It is your responsibility to talk to me or your classmates
if you miss class to obtain the missed material. This should be done in a timely manner (not the day before an exam).
Students are also expected to arrive to class on time and remain in class for the entire scheduled period. Arriving late is
disruptive to other students and to the professor.
Blackboard
This course utilizes Blackboard and all students are expected to monitor Blackboard regularly for announcements and to
use it to obtain important course documents and information.
All lecture powerpoints and any other course material will be posted under the “Content” tab.
Computer labs on the FSU campus: Lyons Science Annex, Room 125; SBE Rooms 214, 218, & 224.
Email Policy- “Netiquette”
Email can be a really powerful communication tool. However, there is room for misunderstanding and miscommunication,
and this reduces its effectiveness. To facilitate smooth online interactions, there are a few rules regarding the use of email
I’d like you to follow.
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FSU provides you with a free email address. Please make it the primary email address for all communications
regarding this class.
Email is my main point of electronic communication.
Regularly check your FSU email for communications from me. This is especially smart since you will be
notified by email of any changes posted to Blackboard.
I will answer emails in a timely fashion. If you do not receive a response from me within 24 hours of emailing
me, then please email me again. I will not answer emails regarding exams or assignments after 5pm on the
day before an exam or assignment due date.
In the subject line of your email please write “Intro to CJ.”
Begin your email with a greeting (e.g., Dear Professor) and include your full name within the message,
preferably at the closing. Please be careful not to misspell my last name in any communication with me, it is
unprofessional.
Respond to my emails in a timely fashion.
Be sure to write your email as you would write a paper. That is, use capital letters where capital letters are
supposed to go, use punctuation, and do not write like you are sending a text message. I will not respond to
emails if they are unprofessional; please be sure to use appropriate and respectful language and structure in
your communications with me.
If you do not follow these rules you will not receive a response from me.
Late Assignments & Makeups
All course requirements must be completed on-time. If you are absent from class the day we have an in-class assignment it
is your responsibility to contact me within 48 hours of the missed class. In order to makeup the assignment for full credit
you must provide me with legitimate documentation regarding your absence (school sponsored activity, hospitalization,
doctor’s visit, child’s doctor’s visit, meeting with probation/parole officer, traffic ticket, police report, bail papers, etc.).
If you do not have a legitimate absence, you may still makeup the assignment, but must notify me within 24 hours of the
absence and a 20% grade penalty will apply. If you notify me after 24 hours, that penalty will increase by 10% for each 24
hour period that goes by. For example, if you are absent on class on a Tuesday we do an in-class activity, you must notify
me by Wednesday at 9:30am to ask for a makeup (20% penalty will apply). If you notify me after 9:30am on that
Wednesday, you will receive a 30% penalty; if you notify me after 9:30am on that Thursday, you will receive a 40%
penalty; and so on. If you have not contacted me within 7 days of your absence, you are no longer eligible to makeup the
work.
For any other assignment (such as take-home assignments) due on a specified date and time, any late work will receive a
20% grade penalty for the first 24 hours it is late (unless you have proper documentation excusing your absence such as the
reasons listed above). After 24 hours, the assignment will be subject to an additional 10% penalty for every additional 24
hours it is late. If the assignment is not turned in within 7 days of the original due date, you will receive a zero.
If you are absent on an exam day, a makeup will only be given if you have legitimate documentation regarding your
absence (school sponsored activity, hospitalization, doctor’s visit, child’s doctor’s visit, meeting with probation/parole
officer, traffic ticket, police report, bail papers, etc.). The makeup may not be in the same format as the original exam.
Tips for getting a good grade
 Take notes during class. I suggest you print the lecture powerpoints before class so you are not trying to write
down everything on the slides; instead you take notes on what is not on the slides.
 Complete the readings on a weekly basis so you do not get behind. Take notes on the readings as you go along.
 If there is any discrepancy between the material in the book and the powerpoints, defer to the powerpoints since
the information is more current.
 Ask questions during class, office hours, or through email on any material you do not understand.
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Give yourself sufficient time to study before the exam.
DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR CELL PHONE.
Grades
Total Points Possible: 240
Final course grades will be assigned as follows:
Exam 1: 40 points
Exam 2: 40 points
Exam 3: 40 points
Exam 4: 40 points
Other Assignments (In-class & Take-home): 80 points
A (90-100%) =
B (80-89%) =
C (70-79%) =
D (60-69%) =
F (0-59%) =
216-240 points
192-215 points
168-191 points
144-167 points
0-143 points
Total Possible Points = 240 points
*Please note: If these evaluation criteria must be revised because of extraordinary
circumstances, the instructor will distribute a written amendment to the syllabus.
FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom
The Code of the University of North Carolina (of which FSU is a constituent institution) and the FSU Code of
Student Conduct affirm that all students have the right to receive instruction without interference from other
students who disrupt classes.
FSU Core Curriculum Learning Outcome under Ethics and Civic Engagement (6.03): All students will “prepare
themselves for responsible citizenship by fulfilling roles and responsibilities associated with membership in
various organizations.” Each classroom is a mini-community. Students learn and demonstrate responsible
citizenship by abiding by the rules of classroom behavior and respecting the rights all members of the
class.
The FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior (see FSU website for complete policy) identifies the following
behaviors as disruptive:
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Failure to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints by behaviors such as repeatedly
interrupting others while they speak, using profanity and/or disrespectful names or labels for others,
ridiculing others for their viewpoints, and other similar behaviors;
Excessive talking to other students while the faculty member or other students are presenting information or
expressing their viewpoints.
Use of cell phones and other electronic devices.
Overt inattentiveness (sleeping, reading newspapers)
Eating in class (except as permitted by the faculty member)
Threats or statements that jeopardize the safety of the student and others
Failure to follow reasonable requests of faculty members
Entering class late or leaving class early on regular basis
Others as specified by the instructor.
The instructor may take the following actions in response to disruptive behavior. Students should recognize that
refusing to comply with reasonable requests from the faculty member is another incidence of disruptive
behavior.
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2.
3.
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5.
6.
7.
Direct student to cease disruptive behavior.
Direct student to change seating locations.
Require student to have individual conference with faculty member. At this meeting the faculty member
will explain the consequences of continued disruptive behavior.
Dismiss class for the remainder of the period. (Must be reported to department chair.)
Lower the student’s final exam by a maximum of one-letter grade.
File a complaint with the Dean of Students for more severe disciplinary action.
Students who believe the faculty member has unfairly applied the policy to them may make an appeal
with the faculty member’s department chair.
VIII.
Academic Support Resources: This course uses Blackboard to disseminate course materials such as lectures,
readings, and assignments. If you have any trouble assessing Blackboard or specific course materials please
contact me as soon as possible to help remedy the situation.
IX.
Course Outline and Assignment Schedule (Tentative)
* Note: Schedule subject to change.
Week/Dates
Topic
Reading
Week 1- 1/12 & 1/14
Criminal Justice Today
Chapter 1
Week 2- 1/19 & 1/21
Measuring Crime
Chapter 2
Week 3- 1/26 & 1/28
Inside Criminal Law
Chapter 3
Week 4- 2/2 & 2/4
2/2: Section I Puzzles Due by
9:30am; AND Quizlet Activity
(Extra Credit) Due by 9:30am
2/4 EXAM I
Week 5- 2/9 & 2/11
Law Enforcement Today
Chapter 4
Week 6- 2/16 & 2/18
Problems & Solutions in Modern
Policing
Chapter 5
Week 7- 2/23 & 2/25
Police & the Constitution
Chapter 6
Week 8- 3/1 & 3/3
3/1: Section II Puzzles Due by
9:30am; AND Quizlet Activity
Due by 9:30am
3/3 EXAM II
Week 9- 3/8 & 3/10
SPRING BREAK
NO CLASS 
Week 10- 3/15 & 3/17
Courts & the Quest for Justice
Chapter 7
Week 11- 3/22 & 3/24
The Criminal Trial
Chapter 8
Week 12- 3/29 & 3/31
Punishment & Sentencing
Chapter 9
Week 13- 4/5 & 4/7
4/5: Section III Puzzles Due by
9:30am; AND Quizlet Activity
Due by 9:30am
4/7: EXAM III
Week 14- 4/12 & 4/14
Probation, Parole, & Intermediate
Sanctions
Chapter 10
Week 15- 4/19 & 4/21
Prisons & Jails
Chapter 11
Week 16- 4/26 & 4/28 (Last Day)
Behind Bars
Chapter 12
4/28: Section IV Puzzles Due by
9:30am; AND Quizlet Activity
Due by 9:30am
Week 17- Final Exam Week
X.
EXAM IV: Thursday May 5th at
8AM
Teaching Strategies
Lectures, class discussions, written assignments, Movie/documentary showings, and exams.
XI.
Bibliography
Akers, R. L., & Sellers, C. S. (2013). Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application. New York, NY:
Oxford University Press.
Anderson, E. (2011). The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life. New York, NY: WW Norton & Co.
Barkan, S. E. (2009). Law and Society: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Bohm, Robert, M. and Haley, Keith N. (2007). Introduction to Criminal Justice, 4th edition. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Boyes-Watson, C. (2014). Crime & Justice: Learning Through Cases. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Hunter, R. D., & Dantzker, M. L. (2012). Crime and Criminality: Causes and Consequences. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner
Publishers.
Russell-Brown, K., & Davis, A. J. (2016). Criminal Law. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Skolnick, J. H., Feeley, M. M., & McCoy, C. (2005). Criminal Justice: Introductory Cases and Materials. New York:
Foundation Press.
Thornberry, T. P. (2003). Gangs and Delinquency in Developmental Perspective. New York, NY: Cambridge University
Press.
Trevino, A. J. (2015). Investigating Social Problems. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Tuerkheimer, D. Flawed Convictions: Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Inertia of Injustice. New York, NY: Oxford
University Press.