KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY and CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CRJU) 1101/09 – FOUNDATION of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRN #11989
SYLLABUS – SPRING 2011
Instructor: Kemper Anderson
Phone: (770) 499-3034
E-mail: kanders1@kennesaw.edu
Office: Public Safety Bldg. Rm. 101
Class times: Tuesday/Thursday
3:30-4:45 pm
Social Science Bldg. 2036
Office hours: M-F 8:00-5:00 (by appointment)
REQUIRED TEXT:
Criminal Justice in America, 6th ed., Cole & Smith, Thomson Learning, Belmont,
California, 2008.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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Gain a general understanding of the structure and functions of the three
branches of the American criminal justice system.
Examine specific contemporary issues in each component of the criminal justice
system.
Explore causes of criminal behavior and efforts to combat crime.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
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Attend class regularly.
Read assigned material and come to class prepared.
Participate in class discussions and activities.
Graded assignments:
Examinations: 4 section exams, plus a cumulative final. Students will be tested
on material covered in class lectures and discussions, videos, handouts, and the
textbook. Each section test grade is worth 20% of the final grade; the final exam
is also worth 20%. Tentative dates for exams are listed below; exams will be
given only at the beginning of the class period.
Make-up exams: NO makeup exams will be given. Students may exempt ONE of
the section exams given during the semester. If all exams are taken, the lowest
exam grade will be dropped. The final exam is mandatory.
Paper: Students will observe a criminal court session and will write a brief paper
(2-3 pages) describing their observations and impressions. Additional information
will be provided in class. Papers are due on the date assigned in the course
schedule. Late written assignments will be penalized 10 points per calendar day.
This assignment is worth 20% of the final grade.
No “extra credit” assignments will be given.
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USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
Students are not permitted to use cell phones or other electronic devices during tests or
exams. Please be courteous and pay attention to your instructor and class
interactions. Telephone calls and “texting” conversations should be taken outside of the
classroom.
GRADING:
The final grade will be assigned as a letter grade, based on the following scale:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 and below
A grade of “Incomplete” will be given only in rare circumstances, for good cause shown,
such as a serious illness that precludes completion of the course. An Incomplete will
not be given solely for failure to complete assignments on time. The instructor and the
department chair shall have sole discretion in granting an Incomplete grade.
Grades, announcements, and schedule changes will be posted on Vista. Students are
urged to check their Vista site regularly. All electronic communications with the
instructor regarding course-related matters must be submitted through the Vista mail
feature, NOT the standard KSU email system.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section III of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty,
including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic
work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious or
intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student
identification cards. Incidents of academic misconduct will be handled through the
established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which may include an
informal resolution by a faculty member resulting in a grade adjustment or a formal
hearing procedure, which may subject the student to the minimum one-semester
suspension required by the Code of Conduct.
Cheating or plagiarism in any form will result in a grade of F for the course. In addition,
a report of the incident will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic
Integrity.
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COURSE SCHEDULE (tentative):
January 11
Introduction/review syllabus
Jan 13-18
Part 1: Crime and the CJ System
Chapter 1
Jan 20-27
Part 1: Crime and the CJ System (cont.)
Chapter 2
Feb 1-3
Part 1: Crime and the CJ System (wrap-up)
Chapter 3
Feb 8
FIRST EXAM (covers material from Part 1, only)
Feb 10-15
Part 2: Police
Chapter 4
Feb 17
Part 2: Police (cont.)
Chapter 5
Feb 22
Part 2: Police (wrap-up)
Chapter 6
Feb 24
SECOND EXAM (covers material from Part 2, only)
March 1-3
Part 3: Courts
March 5-11
SPRING BREAK
March 15-22
Part 3: Courts (cont.)
Chapter 8
March 24-29
Part 3: Courts (wrap-up)
Chapter 9
March 31
THIRD EXAM (covers material from Part 3, only)
April 5-7
Part 4: Corrections
Chapter 10
April 12-14
Part 4: Corrections (cont.)
Chapter 11
April 19
Part 4: Corrections (wrap-up)
Chapter 12
April 21
FOURTH EXAM (covers material from Part 4, only)
Court Observation paper due…
April 26
Part 5: Contemporary Issues
Chapters 13 & 14
April 28
Part 5: Contemporary Issues (wrap-up)
Chapter 15
May 3
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM 3:30-5:30 pm
Chapter 7
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