Division of Social Science
Criminal Justice Program
CJ 111_Introduction to Criminal Justice
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Donald L. Brown
Room: 1317
Office Hours: By appointment only
E-Mail: Donald.Brown@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 494-2134 [8:00a-4:00p]
[Wed –Sun]
Course Credits: 3
Delivery Format: Traditional
Prerequisites: None
Required Text:
Schmalleger, Frank. 2009. Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (10th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system. The primary goal of this course is to develop a general
understanding of the criminal justice system’s response to crime in society. It is important to note that the general theme of
this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision making
requires. Students will explore this theme by examining the criminal justice process in some detail, focusing on how the system
is structured to respond to crime. This requires an understanding of the core elements of the criminal justice system: police, courts,
and corrections.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a result of successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
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Identify formal and informal methods of social control.
Develop an appreciation of the history and philosophy of criminal justice and criminal justice subsystems.
Describe elements of constitutionally imposed limitations of government power.
Identify employment opportunities in the criminal justice system.
Describe the scope and social purpose of the criminal justice system.
Instructor Objectives:
As an instructor I also have certain obligations to the student and these include;
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Creating a supportive and stimulating desire to learn.
Promoting critical thinking and communication skills.
Ensuring that students are prepared for vital roles in the criminal justice field.
Training students to utilize exemplary leadership practices.
Educating students to deal with integrity/ethical issues.
Motivating students to utilize technology in their field of study.
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TOPICS TO BE STUDIED
Course Schedule:
All classes begin promptly at 4:00 pm and end at 6:45 pm [This schedule is subject to change by the instructor].
Course
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
CJ 111
Date
Mon Jan. 11
2010
Week #1
Mon Jan. 18
2010
Week #2
Mon Jan. 25
2010
Week #3
Mon Feb. 1
2010
Week #4
Mon Feb. 8
2010
Week #5
Mon Feb. 15
2010
Week #6
Mon Feb. 22
2010
Week #7
Mon Mar. 1
2010
Week #8
Mon Mar. 8
2010
Week #9
Mon Mar. 15
2010
Class Schedule
Lecture: Into to Course, Course Syllabus, Research Project (RP) Peel’s Principles
Assignments: Begin RP-Title Summary, CR-1 CR-2
Mon Mar. 22
2010
Week #10
Mon Mar. 29
2009
Week #11
Mon Apr. 5
2010
Week #12
Mon Apr. 12
2010
Week #13
Mon Apr. 19
2010
Week #14
Mon Apr. 26
2010
Week #15
Mon May 3
2010
Week #16
Lecture: CR-11 Sentencing/CR-12 Probation Parole and Community Corrections
Assignments: RP, CR-13, CR-14
Research paper [rough draft] due
Lecture: None
Assignments: None
No Class (Martin Luther King Holiday)
Lecture: CR-1 What Is Criminal Justice?/CR-2 The Crime Picture
Assignments: RP, CR-3, CR-4
Research paper topic due
Lecture: CR-3 The Search for Cause/CR-4 Criminal Law
Assignments: RP, CR-5, CR-6
Lecture: CR-5 Policing: History and Structure/CR-6 Policing: Purpose and Organization
Assignments: RP, CR-7, CR-8
Lecture: CR-7 Policing: Legal Aspects/CR-8 Policing: Issues and Challenges
Assignments: RP, Prep for Mid-Term
Lecture: Review for Mid-Terms [Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Assignments: Prep for Mid-Term
Research paper outline due
Lecture: Mid-Term Exam
Assignments: CR-9, CR-10
Mid-Term Exam
Lecture: CR-9 The Courts: Structure and Participants/CR-10 Pre-Trial Activities and the Criminal Trial
Assignments: RP, CR-11, CR-12
Lecture: Spring Break
Assignments: None
Lecture: CR-13 Prisons and Jails/CR-14 Prison Life
Assignments: RP, CR-15, CR-16
Lecture: CR-15 Juvenile Justice/CR-16 Drugs and Crime
Assignments: RP, CR-17
Lecture: CR-17 Terrorism and Multinational Criminal Justice
Assignments: Complete RP, Prep for Presentations,, CR-18
Lecture: CR-18 The Future of Criminal Justice/Begin Project Presentations
Assignments: Prep for Final Exam
Research Paper due
Lecture: Complete Project Presentations/Review for Final
Assignments: Prep for Final Exam
Lecture: Final Exam [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18]
Final Exam
[CR=Chapter Reading, RP=Research Project]
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SPECIAL PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COURSE
Course Research Project
1.
Course Research Paper:
The research assignment must focus on a particular area of interest to the student relating to the Criminal Justice field. In order to
assist students in completing the work on time benchmarks have been set. Please follow the class schedule and this will help you
complete the project on time, and also allows the student to receive feedback from the instructor thus improving overall quality of
the paper. The topic will be approved by the instructor during the second class meeting. The paper will be a neat, organized, and a
well-thought out document.
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Paper must conform to the APA writing style [The Everyday Writer].
Paper must be 10 pages in length. This includes cover page and reference page.
Must have at least 4 references, of which 2 must be from a professional source or journal.
Must be in 12 point Arial font, double spaced.
Standard 1” margins.
Pages are to be numbered
Appropriate headings.
 Title Page
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Reference Page
Submitted with staples only [no notebooks or binders].
2.
Course Research Presentation
The presentation will be no more than 10 minutes/10-12 PowerPoint slides in length and will be an overview of your research paper
discussing the highlights of your work done in a PowerPoint presentation. If you fail to complete the paper there will be no way of
completing the presentation. The instructor will provide the computer however, it is the students’ responsibility to check and
ensure that their storage device is compatible. Students are required to discuss any other items that may be required at leas four
weeks in advance of the project presentation. You will be graded on the following items;
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Knowledge of subject matter.
 Did the presenter know the topic well?
 Did it appear research was conducted?
Depth of material
 Did the content cover the topic well?
 Was there a learning concept to the research or was it just information?
Organization and slide style.
 Was it clear, easy to follow?
 Appropriate grammar?
 Good slide organization?
 Neat and understandable?
Oral presentation.
 Was the flow of the presentation adequate?
 Was the verbal presentation clear and professional?
Material.
 Were visual aids utilized to hold viewers attention?
 Were the aids pertinent to the topic?
Contribution to overall topic.
 Did the overall topic contribute to the overall class topic?
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METHODS OF EVALUTION
Mid-Term/Final Exam:
The mid-term will cover all chapters that the instructor has lectured on up to the Mid-Term exam date. The Final Exam will not be
comprehensive but will cover all chapters from the Mid-Term up to the Final. Exams will consist of Multiple Choice/Fill in the
Blank/True-False. It is highly recommended by the instructor that students make every effort to study together and assist each
other as much as possible.
Percentage of grade per assignment:
Course Research Project-25%
Mid-Term-25%
Peel’s Twelve Principles of Policing-25%
Final-25%
Grading Scale:
A=100%-90%
B=89%-80%
C=79%-70%
D=69%-60%
F=59% and below
ASSESSMENT OF OUTCOMES
Course Requirements:
This course is made up of five main parts:
Part 1: Examines crime in America while briefly touching on the basic functions of each component of the criminal justice system
additionally the course will look at the definition of crime, different kinds of crime, and explore the causes of crime.
Part 2: This part of the course will focus on the beginning stages of the criminal justice process, exploring policing and police decision
making. The history and structure of policing, police management, and legal aspects of policing will be studied as well.
Part 3: This section of the course will address adjudication. Here we will explore the operation of the court system by examining the
courtroom work group, all stages of the court process, and progression of cases through the system.
Part 4: This section of the course will explore corrections with a main focus on probation, parole, community corrections, prisons,
and jails. Focus will also be give to life in penal institutions.
Part 5: The final section of the course will examine special criminal justice issues. These issues include juvenile justice, drugs and
crime, multi-national criminal justice, and the future of criminal justice.
Also in this course may be videos and guest speakers, field trips which will be utilized to support the lecture. It is essential that
students participate and became actively involved in all parts of the course. Due to the nature of law enforcement investigations
there are many times an investigator will work in teams, or in a multiple team approach to complete an investigation. During this
course this also will be a requirement. It is extremely important however that each student maintain their own work as assigned by
the instructor (See Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty-Cheating).
The following is a typical class breakdown (this is an approximation only, and is subject to change by the instructor). Breaks will be
given by the instructor at various points throughout the class.
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100 minutes of lecture
55 minutes of learning activity
10 minutes of questions/assignments.
Come prepared to conduct class assignments. It is highly recommended by this instructor, and due to the nature of this class, that
you have with you at all times pencil/with eraser, paper, calculator, highlighters, black pen, ruler, protractor, textbooks, and
portfolio. Please do not ask the instructor for any items. Most items will be provided to you to conduct class labs however, some
labs do require the student provide certain limited items in preparation for the lab. You will be give advance notice of this by the
instructor.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Attendance:
WVU-Parkersburg encourages excellence in student performance. Educational research finds a positive relationship between
excellence in student performance and regular class attendance. WVU Parkersburg’s faculty and academic administration, therefore,
hold to the following principles:
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WVU Parkersburg expects students to attend all classes except in cases of sickness accident, or other situations of extreme
emergency.
Faculty is expected to publish expectations relating to class attendance in course syllabi and to make specific reference to
these expectations in all of their classes.
Students must understand that final course grades can be adversely affected by a record of excessive absences on the part
of a student. Such a record of absence from class may result in a student’s receiving a course grade of F or FIW.
“Excessive absences” is defined as any number of absences that exceeds the number of class meetings that are scheduled
in one week.
Attendance in the class is required. If student is absent due to an emergency (illness, injury, death in family, etc…), inform the
instructor as soon as possible so arrangements can be made to assist the student in making-up missed class work. Be prepared to
provide documentation if requested. Please obtain class notes from other class members to study from. Make arrangements to
complete missed work with the instructor immediately upon return to class. All work that is not turned in within two weeks from
time of absence will receive a 0% for the grade.
The first absence will result in a 5% grade reduction.
The second absence will result in an additional 5% grade reduction.
The third absence will result in course failure.
It is important to understand that even missing one class can change a student’s grade. Please make every effort to attend. The
students excuse for the absence has no bearing on the grade reduction.
Important Dates:
Jan. 18
[No Class] Martin Luther King Day
Feb. 12
Deadline to apply for Graduation
Mar. 15-19
Spring Break
Mar. 7
Apr. 2
Mid-term grades due
Last Day to Withdraw From Courses
Class Cancellation:
In the event of weather or other emergency closing all students will follow the below cited university policy.
In cases of severe inclement weather the college may cancel all classes for students. When such action is taken, the following
procedures will be observed on both the Parkersburg and Jackson County campuses.
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Radio and TV stations will be notified when classes are canceled. When a morning announcement is made that all classes
are cancelled, the cancellation will normally apply to both day and evening schedules. The announcement will be made by
6 a.m. In some cases, early morning classes maybe canceled and classes will start on a regular basis later in the day.
Should weather conditions occurring during the day necessitate cancellation of evening classes, the announcement should
be made no later than 3 p.m. It is not the prerogative of individual faculty members to cancel their classes because of
inclement weather. The Executive Dean of Academic Affairs in cooperation with division chairpersons will make such
decisions. If a faculty member cannot meet a scheduled class because of weather conditions, he/she is to notify his/her
division chairperson.
Students can also contact the university switchboard or the university web page to check for cancelled classes.
Course Withdraw:
Students will follow the university policy on class withdraw (See student handbook). Before a student withdraws from this course
please see the instructor. There are times when issues arise that the instructor may be of assistance.
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Classroom Courtesy and Decorum:
The social revolution is coming to the classroom however; I still expect nothing less than common courtesy and mutual respect.
Rude behavior and disruptions that hinder the learning process will not be tolerated. Such things as sleeping, eating, text
messaging, listening to I-pods/MP3’s, using wireless internet connection, reading non-class related materials, coming late and
leaving early will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty-Cheating:
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty-cheating will not be tolerated. This instructor follows all university policies involving either
offense. There is a large amount of research that one must conduct in criminal justice courses and I look forward to reading your
thoughts and ideas but, I also look for ways as well that you support these ideas. Please do not copy and paste articles and points
within your research unless you properly cite them. Also do your own work; many times it is better than what you take from others.
If you are not familiar with the university policy on Plagiarism/Cheating, I would suggest that you check the universities position on
the web site at West Virginia University Board of Governors Policy D-47 which deals primarily with student academic rights and
responsibilities. This can be found by going to the university’s main Web page, to the West Virginia Board of Governors link, and
then to the policies link. Scroll down the page to Students and locate D-47 and then review this important policy.
Learning Center Services:
The Learning Center is located in room 0404 and services are offered to students free of charge. Monday through Friday. Peer
tutoring is open for scheduled and group sessions as well as unscheduled drop-in sessions. Students can visit the Learning Center’s
website for more information. http://www.wvup.edu/Learning Center/.
Campus Safety:
Upon activation of the building fire alarm, all building occupants must exit to a position of a minimum of 100ft. safely away from the
building. If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, please contact the instructor so that arrangements can be
made in advance. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the locations of emergency exits. Information
concerning emergency exits is posted by or in each classroom. Students and instructors should also be familiar with the Color Code
System and the Emergency Call buttons (College Paging System) that are located in each room on the main campus. Information
regarding the system and instructions for each individual emergency can be found in the Safety Plan, accessible only on campus
through the college website or by contacting faculty, staff, or administration. Questions regarding safety can be directed to the
safety committee through the campus safety website at http://www.wvup.edu/safety/.
VII. DISABILITY STATEMENT
If you are a person a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise
me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (424-8378).
VIII. SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT
West Virginia University at Parkersburg is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a
positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not
discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any
suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and give serious
consideration.
“For learning to take place with any kind of efficiency students must be motivated. To be motivated, they must become interested.
And they become interested when they are actively working on projects which they can relate to their values and goals in life.”
-Gus Tuberville, President, William Penn College.
Prepared By: __
Donald L. Brown
__
Updated: ___
01-10-2010________
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