COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix/Number
CJC 4010
Course Title
Punishment and Society
Course Credit Hours
3H
Instructor Name and Contact Information
Dr. John O. Smykla
Distinguished University Professor
Building 85, Room 151
Phone: 205-862-4024 (Do not call my office phone and leave a
message. Only call me on my cell.)
E-Mail: jsmykla@uwf.edu (please allow 24 hours for response)
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 am to 9 am. I will be available
online to answer your questions.
We can also meet F2F in my office (Bldg 85/Room 151). Let me
know when it is convenient for you.
Graduate Assistant Name and Contact Information
Wells Bibo
Wells is a master’s graduate student in criminal justice
E-Mail: wab14@students.uwf.edu (please allow 24 hours for
response)
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT THIS MIGHT SOUND
OBVIOUS TO MOST BUT....WHEN YOU EMAIL ME PLEASE TELL
ME WHO YOU ARE AND WHICH CLASS OF MINE YOU ARE
IN. ;)
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites
None
Course Description
Corrections is the most exciting field in criminal justice for one simple
fact: All offenders who are found guilty end up under some type of
correctional supervision. Twenty years ago the US spent about $7
BILLION on corrections. Today it's more than $52 BILLION (most of
it at the state and local levels of government), and almost 778,000
persons worked in corrections. Corrections IS a growth
industry. Karl Marx (the philosopher, not the comedian) was right crime pays! There are jobs!
This course is a basic analysis of correctional systems in the United
States. The focus is on a critical analysis of widely held conceptions
of punishment, physical design and organizational structures of jail
and prison facilities, community based correctional options, the death
penalty and the evaluation of correctional research. Other topics of
interest include evidence-based practices (meaning what works, e.g.,
drug courts, and what doesn't, e.g., boot camps), professionalism in
corrections, changes in probation and parole, the impact of prison
overcrowding, the return of supermax prison and the consequences
of prisoner isolation, sentencing policy, key issues faced by prison
administrators and prisoners as well as the role of the victim in
corrections.
In order to participate in a completely online learning class effectively,
make sure that you read the Orientation to Online Learning.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Describe the historical development of punishment and
corrections
Identify and discuss the relationships between sentencing
policy and corrections
Identify the specific issues associated with prisons, jails, and
other detention facilities
Distinguish how community based correctional practices fit into
the larger picture of punishment and correction
Define and describe the key issues, including ethical
challenges, faced by prison administrators, prisoners, and the
entire correctional system
Required Text:
Corrections in the 21st Century, SIXTH EDITION by Frank
Schmalleger and John Ortiz Smykla. New York: McGrawHill. Please make sure you purchase the SIXTH Edition.
This is the cover of the book:
An Online Learning Center (OLC) accompanies the
book. Go to http://www.mhhe.com/schmalleger6e.
Familiarize yourself with the components of the OLC. They will
help you do better in this course.
However, a word to the wise. Each semester I find students
who believe they can focus only on the OLC and avoid the
book. I am giving you fair warning...That is NOT Possible. The
way I write examination questions requires you to know the
concepts in order to apply them. My examination questions are
rarely definitional. Yes, you must know the definitions but on the
exams you will find application questions based on the
concepts learned in the book and the OLC.
So my advice is to read the book multiple times. I recommend
you review the chapter objectives at the front of each chapter.
Then read the chapter-opening story. Then skim the chapter
headings looking for something that catches your eye as you
skim the pages (such things as photos and photo captions,
exhibits, the Staff and Offender Speaks, the Career Profiles,
and the boxes "Ethics & Professionalism." Look for the
magnifying glass icons in the margins of the text. Adjacent to
these icons you will find text on evidence-based practices. This
text cites the literature and informs you on what we know from
empirical evidence on what works and what does not work in
corrections to reduce recidivism.
Then at the end of the chapter, skim the Summary (the
Summary corresponds to the chapter objectives at the front of
each chapter), look at the Key Terms and Questions for
Review. Read through the exercises (Thinking Critically About
Corrections, On-The-Job Decision Making, and the Live Links).
Now that you a good feel for what's covered in the chapter, sit
back and read it. I recommend you take one hour and read the
chapter. Make notes, either in the book or in your notebook. Jot
down things that come to your mind. Things you think about as
you read. If you finish the chapter in one hour, then skim it all
over like you did at the beginning.
If you didn't finish the chapter in one hour, set it aside and do
something else. Then come back and finish it. When you finish,
skim it all over like you did at the beginning.
Once you finish the read-through the first time, when you come
back the second time, read it again. Then quiz yourself by
answering the chapter objectives without looking at the end-of-
chapter Summary. Then reflect on the key terms. Go back and
look at them if you're still unsure. Writing them out is a terrific
way to help commit them to memory. Then try and answer the
Questions for Review at the end of the chapter. They too
parallel each of the chapter objectives.
Then go to the OLC for this chapter
(www.mhhe.com/schmalleger6e). Take the practice test.
Having done this, you'll feel pretty good about your
understanding of the chapter.
Remember, there is no short cut to excellence.
Topics
1. The Early History of Correctional Thought and Practice
2. The History of Corrections in America
3. The Punishment of Offenders
4. The Correctional Client
5. Jails: Detention and Short-Term Incarceration
6. Probation
7. Intermediate Sanctions and Community Corrections
8. Release from Incarceration
9. Incarceration
10. The Prison Experience
11. The Corrections System
12. Incarceration Trends
13. Race, Ethnicity, and Corrections
14. The Death Penalty
Course Requirements
1. Regular logins and active participation are mandatory for the
successful completion of this course.
2. Students will learn about the lessons through readings,
discussions, and individual performance.
3. Generally speaking, the course will include reading assignments
and discussion relating to the videos or anything else I direct
you to.
After DROP ADD closes I will put you in a group with four other
students. I anticipate having about eight groups of five. I set
restrictions so you are only able to enter the discussion board with
your small group. All of you will see the questions on the main
discussion board but when it comes time for you to submit your
discussion, you will only do it with your small group.
Grading Evaluation
There will be three (3) True-False/Multiple Choice exams in this
course. The first exam will cover Chapters 1 through 4. The second
exam will cover Chapters 5 through 8. The third exam will cover
Chapters 13, 14 and 15.
You MUST install RESPONDUS on your computer to take the
examinations. See below under Required Plug-ins for installing
Respondus on your computer.
PARTICIPATION IN DISCUSSION BOARD
You MUST participate in Discussion postings. Each week you will
watch a video. See the "Assignments" link for each chapter and make
sure your computer opens the videos. If it doesn't, please don't call
me. Instead, please call the Helpdesk and do what you need to do to
open the videos. If you can't open the videos you won't be able to
enroll in this course. I've been using the videos online for several
semesters now and I've not run into anyone who has trouble opening
them.
Each video is accompanied by a few questions. Read the questions
before you view the video and listen for things in the video that tap
the questions.
Then operating within the time frames I allow for each Discussion
period (each week's Discussion board opens at 1 AM on Monday and
closes at 11:59 PM the following Friday), go to that week's
Discussion board and post your thoughts to the videos to your small
group. Even though on each Assignment page you will see numbered
questions to think about as you watch the videos, don't be stilted in
your discussion and make a posting with something like "here's my
response to question 1... question 2... question 3..." Combine the
questions as much as you can in your postings. Post essays not
laundry list answers. Make sure your essays relate to material
discussed in the chapter. Use quotes from the chapter and cite the
page number). It is also acceptable for you to bring in outside
material. Just make sure you cite the outside material so we can
check it.
After the close of each week's Discussion, your discussions will be
graded. A maximum of ten points can be earned for each week's
discussion. (Total 100 points for the course.)
We created a rubric for grading the
discussions. You will find it under the "Course Materials"
tab. We did this to benefit you by reducing the discretion we have in
grading (hence more equity for you) and giving you detailed
information on what we are looking for and how we grade.
Note that we grade on five (5) criteria:
1. Date and Time of Initial Post.
a. If you make your first post after 6 pm Tuesday it receives 0
points
b. If you make your first post before 6 pm Tuesday it qualifies for 2
points
2. Number of Comments
a. If you make less than 3 posts you earn 0 points
b. If you make exactly three posts you qualify for 1 point
c. If you make more than three posts you qualify for 2 points
3. Distribution of Comments
a. If the majority of your posts appear right after another or all in
one day you earn 0 points
b. If your posts appear "bundled" or close together but on different
days you qualify for 1 point
c. If you evenly distribute your posts throughout the week your post
qualifies for 2 points
4. Connection to Content Covered in Text, Videos, etc.
a. If your posts do not cite the book, videos or other relevant
sources, you earn 0 points
b. If your posts cite either the textbook or the assigned videos,
audio files, etc., without linking them, your
post qualifies for 1 point
c. If your posts not only cite the textbook, other files on the
Assignment page, and outside sources you bring
in, but you also make linkages among them, your post qualifies
for 2 points
5. Grammar and Punctuation
a. If your post shows frequent grammar and/or punctuation
mistakes and is difficult to follow, your post earns
0 points
b. If your post has some grammar and/or punctuation mistakes but
not so many as to confuse the reader it
qualifies for 1 point
c. If your post has none or very few (1 or 2) grammar and/or
punctuation errors and is easy to read and
understand it qualifies for 2 points
Remember these things:
1. The Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM every Friday
2. By "thoughtful postings" I mean your postings show evidence of (1)
having read the chapter; (2) watched the video, listened to any audio
files, or read something posted to the Assignment page; (3) made
linkages between the items on the Assignment page and the
chapter; (4) directed a question or two to other student(s) in your
group; and (5) responded to a student's question or comment about
your posting if applicable. It is very important to me that your
postings LINK the content on the Assignment page with the chapter
content. One without the other is less than thoughtful. I also look for
evidence that you read the chapter so my advice is to quote material
and page number from the chapter.
3. By "evenly-spread postings across the week" I mean you make
your first thoughtful posting NLT 6 PM Tuesday and then spread your
other thoughtful postings across the week. (Remember, the
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM every Friday.) In other words,
you cannot make your first post on Tuesday and then come back on
Friday and post two more times. Nor can you do all your postings on
Thursday or Friday. Get the point? Post evenly across the week.
For online examinations I call your attention to Expectations for
Academic Conduct and Plagiarism Policy discussed below. I
realize the temptation to cheat when you are not in a classroom
taking the exam. For example, these are NOT open book exams and
I hold you to the highest ethical standard when taking the exam.
When I look at certain reports that are available to me through
elearning, I can compare the IP address on which you took the
computer to all other students’ IP addresses. I can see exactly
when you logged on, how long it took you to answer each
question, when you logged off, and even your Internet provider.
In a recent semester I caught three students using the same IP
address for an exam. They took the exam one right after another. I
filed an academic misconduct charge against all three and they failed
the class. They tried telling me they didn't cheat. Ha. I might have
been born at night, but it wasn't last night. Don't do it.
Remember, I do not need proof beyond a reasonable doubt when I
file a misconduct charge, only reasonable suspicion. So PLEASE
don’t do anything that makes me think you have cheated.
The course grade will be weighted as follows:
3 Major Exams - exams are online
(100 points each)
300 points
10 Weekly Discussion Postings
100 points
TOTAL
400 points
IMPORTANT:
I reserve the right not to pass students who do not
participate in discussion postings,
regardless of the scores they earn on the examinations.
Changes in Course Requirements
Since all classes do not progress at the same rate I may wish to
modify the requirements for this course or their timing as
circumstances dictate. For example, I may wish to change the
number and frequency of exams, or the number of homework
assignments. If I do so, you will be given adequate notice.
Letter grade equivalences are as follows:
Grade
Range
Equivalent
Letter
Grade
Grade
Range
Equivalent
Letter
Grade
400 372
A
307 292
C
371 360
A-
291 280
C-
359 348
B+
279 268
D+
347 332
B
267 252
D
331 320
B-
251 240
D-
319 308
C+
Below
240
F
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy
Academic Misconduct speaks to the integrity of student learning and
performance. The Student Code of Conduct addresses non-academic
behavior and provides a mechanism for the University to deal with
inappropriate or illegal behavior on the part of students. Disruptive
behavior in an eLearning environment, for example, would actually
fall under this regulation.
The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the rules, regulations and
expected behavior of students enrolled at the University of West
Florida. Violations of any rules, regulations, or behavioral
expectations may result in a charge of violating the Student Code of
Conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to read the Student Code of
Conduct and conduct themselves accordingly. You may access the
current Student Code of Conduct at http://uwf.edu/judicialaffairs.
As students enrolled in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies you should
be held to the highest standards. If your future professional
endeavors include employment within the criminal justice field you
should know that your reputation is very important and could play a
key role in your job search. Please refer to the Student Handbook for
the University's policy regarding academic conduct, specifically pages
23 through 31. These policies will be strictly adhered to and enforced
should the need arise.
Other important policies and sites:


UWF Plagiarism Policy (Excellent examples of what constitutes
plagiarism available online from the Pace Library)
You can view the latest edition of the Student Handbook on the
website of the Office of Judicial Affairs at
http://uwf.edu/JudicialAffairs/
You can view the website of the Office of Judicial Affairs at
http://uwf.edu/JudicialAffairs/ for more on the student code of conduct
and the student handbook.
Students with Special Needs
The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) works with students
and faculty to help make UWF an accessible learning environment in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act. The SDRC offers a variety of services for
students with documented disabilities, including learning disabilities,
deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, mobility limitations, ADHD,
psychiatric disorders, and medical disabilities. Contact Student
Disability Resource Center, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg 21/Room
130, Pensacola, FL 32514. Office: 850-474-2387 Fax: 850-857-6188
E-mail: sdrc@uwf.edu
Reserve/National Guard Duty
Per UWF's policy, to fulfill a reservist or National Guard military
obligation of no more than two weeks concurrent with a normal
academic semester at UWF, students must receive written
permission for such absences from the instructors and
departmental chairpersons for each course in which they are
enrolled. The approval is not automatic but is discretionary with
the instructors and departmental chairpersons.
Required Plug-ins
You may need to upgrade your Browser software (Internet Explorer)
with the following free plug-ins to take full advantage of all the media
elements in this web-based course. The four plug-ins below are
required for this course. However, you may already have these plugins installed on your computer. If so, there is no need to download
and install them again. If you have difficulty with downloading and
installing these plug-ins, contact the UWF Help Desk at the number
below.
1. Respondus: Install RESPONDUS on your computer. UWF now
makes Respondus available to instructors and students. Respondus
LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the
security of online testing in eLearning. When students use
Respondus LockDown Browser to access an exam, they are unable
to print, copy, or go to another URL, access other applications, or
close an exam until it is submitted for grading. To download
Respondus go to UWF's homepage and type "Respondus" in the
search box and then click "Go." Then click the first of the three links
that appear and follow the instructions. If you need help you can call
the HelpDesk at 850.474.2075. You MUST download Respondus or
you will not be able to access the examinations.
2. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Required to open many web-based text
documents in a format easy to read and print.
3. PowerPoint Viewer: Required if you do not have PowerPoint
already installed on your computer. This viewer allows you to
open the PowerPoint presentations in this course and then be
able to print them in multiple formats.
4. Macromedia Flash Player: Required to open any animations that
may be in your course.
4. Java Runtime Environment: Required to participate in the chat
sessions if we have some.
If these programs are already installed on your computer, you
do not need to download and install them again.
Technical Difficulties or problems with eLearning? Contact the
UWF Help Desk at 850.474.2075 or helpdesk@uwf.edu