Syllabus 1307 Crime in America Fall 2015
CRIJ 1307 Crime in America
Instruction Syllabus
Discipline/Program
Criminal Justice
Course Level
First Year
Course Title
Crime inn America (ACGM Field of Study Curriculum)
Course Rubric and Number (e.g.
HIST 1301)
CRIJ 1307
Semester with Course Reference
Number (CRN)
Fall 2013 – CRN 72772
Course Location/Times
Eastside Campus – Angela Morales Building
Course Semester Credit Hours
(SCH) (lecture, lab) If applicable
Total Course Contact Hours
3
48
Course Continuing Education Units
(CEU): If applicable
N/A
Course Length (number of weeks)
16 Weeks
Type of Instruction
Classroom Lecture – Enhanced with Eagle Online
Instructor contact information
(phone number and email address)
james.heironimus@hccs.edu
Office Location and Hours
By appointment only: In person or by telephone,
Houston Community College Southeast
6815 Rustic
Houston, TX 77087
Course Description: ACGM or
WECM
Course Description: HCC Catalog
Description
History, philosophy, and ethical considerations of criminal justice; the nature and impact of
crime; and an overview of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement and court
procedures.
Same
Course Prerequisite(s)
College Ready/level Reading & Writing
Academic Discipline/CTE Program
Learning Outcomes
Course Student Learning
Outcomes (SLO): 4 to 7
Learning Objectives (Numbering
system should be linked to SLO –
e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)
Students who complete the HCC criminal justice program of study should be able to:
1. Articulate key concepts in criminology and criminal justice.
2. Inquire, analyze, and apply research to criminal justice agency operations.
3. Communicate thoughts, ideas, and facts clearly and accurately.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical and legal obligations of criminal justice
professionals.
5. Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits by completing
assignments on time and working productively with others.
Describe and explain the history, philosophy and ethical considerations of criminal justice;
define the nature and impact of crime on society and how it is integrated in to the criminal
justice system; distinguish between the civil and criminal court systems; and interpret the
relationship between the components of the criminal justice system.
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to have a clear understanding
of the following:
1. What is Criminal Justice
2. The Crime Picture
3. Criminal Law
4. Policing: Purposes and Organization
5. Policing: Legal Aspects
6. Policing: Issues and Challenges
7. The Courts
8. The Courtroom Work Group and the Criminal Trial
9. Sentencing
10. Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections
11. Prisons and Jails
12. Prison Life
13. Juvenile Justice
SCANS and/or Core Curriculum
Competencies: If applicable
Reading
Writing
Critical Thinking
Subject Comprehension
Use of Computer and Microsoft Office Programs
Course Calendar
See HCC Home Page for Link
Instructional Methods
The course is divided into three learning modes or units. Each unit will include reading and
studying assigned textbook chapters, and/or outside research, classroom instruction,
discussion and participation.
Students may be required to provide a weekly outline/summary of each textbook chapter
assigned or a comprehensive research monograph.
A research project may be required.
Student learning and comprehension will be assessed thru quizzes and a final comprehensive
examination.
Student Assignments
days following the close of an assessment. Requests for consideration of alternative answers
submitted later than five days will not be accepted nor considered.
Any challenges by a student regarding quiz grades shall be in the form of a written detailed
concise explanation.
Time limitations for quizzes and examinations:: Students will be allowed ninety (90) minutes to
complete an assessment (Quiz and/or Examination).
Your completion time is measured from when you begin the assessment until the allotted time
has expired. Once the quiz has begun, time starts and cannot be interrupted.
Instructor’s Requirements
Class Participation / Discussions: Attendance is required. Students are expected to participate
in all aspects of the classroom environment. This includes participating in class discussions.
Participation gives the instructor an opportunity to further assess the student’s grasp of the
course topics.
All written papers required for this course shall be prepared in an ADA format or style.
Students who do not submit completed assignments may receive an F for the course.
Program/Discipline Requirements:
If applicable
N/A
HCC Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 – 60
F = 59 and below
……….
……….
……….
……….
……….
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
1 point per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress)
W(Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
……….
……….
……….
……….
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to
receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To
compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of
semester hours attempted. The grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not affect GPA.
Instructor Grading Criteria
Each assignment involves reading and studying the required text, understanding the various
terminology, the various schools, theories, structures, concepts and processes. Students may
be required to conduct independent research outside of the classroom. Class discussions and
participation is required. Criteria: Grades are based on a “Points System”.
Classroom Attendance, Preparedness & Participation
Weekly Assignments
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Total Maximum Points ………..
400
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
Calc. ? Points divided
by 4 = ? Final Grade
Quizzes will cover the material assigned for the last completed course module.
The Final Exam is comprehensive and will cover all classroom lectures and assignments.
Scores lower than 60 will receive 0 (zero) points.
To calculate you grade standing, add up the number of points you have earned and divide the
total by six. Compare that total to the HCC Grading Scale.
Instructional Materials
Required Textbook
Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, 7/E
Frank J. Schmalleger, Emeritus, University of North Carolina
ISBN-10: 0133495531 • ISBN-13: 9780133495539
©2015 • Prentice Hall • Paper, 528 pp
Published 01/21/2014 • Instock
- See more at: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/Criminology-Today-AnIntegrative-Introduction-7E/9780133495539.page#sthash.H6cYr0US.dpuf
Class Lectures and Presentations
The instructor will provide classroom lectures, utilize multi-media and engage students in class
participation over the topics assigned or discussed. Students are expected to engage in
classroom discussions as part of their final grade.
Course content and application
The Instructor reserves the right to create, adjust, alter or otherwise change the content
requirements of this course if the instructor believes that the modification will enhance the
cognitive skills of the student.
HCC Policy Statement: ADA
Academic Honesty Student
attendance 3-peaters Withdrawal
deadline
Distance Education and/or
Continuing Education Policies
Test Bank
Access Student Services Policies on their Web site: http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Access DE Policies on their Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf Access CE
Policies on their Web site: http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Scoring Rubrics
N/A
Sample Assignments
Mandatory reading assignments from the required textbook with an individualized written
outline/summary of each assignment. Assignments shall be completed weekly, prior to the 1st
weekly class meeting.
Sample Instructional
Methods/Activities
The Instructor may utilize various instructional methods to include but not limited to lecture,
class discussion, audio and/or visual aids, electronic programs and similar means.
EGLS3
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System At Houston Community
College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching
and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of
research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be
made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of
instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System
online near the end of the term.
Expectations of Civil Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally in their communication with the
instructor, their classmates, and college staff and administration. Behavior inappropriate to
the collegiate setting (including but not limited to abusive/derogatory/threatening/harassing
language directed at the instructor or towards other students, staff or administrators) will not
be tolerated, and may result in removal from the course if severe and/or repeated.
HCC Policy Statement - Students’ Responsibility to Read the HCC DE Student
Handbook/Student Services
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE
student. Students should have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It
is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's contents. The handbook
contains valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and
procedures (how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid,
degree planning, etc.), course information, testing procedures, technical support, and
academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Technical Compliance Notice and How to Handle Technology Problems
This class is a distance-education class using Eagle Online for notes, linked slides, and
assignments and assessments. Each student must maintain Internet access throughout this
course -- from start to finish. Additionally, students are expected to maintain a state of
technical compliance, including (but not limited to): up-to-date software as required by the
instructor; a stable Internet connection; and use of the Firefox browser when using Eagle
Online. The instructor will not give consideration for lost/missing/unacceptable work
stemming from technical non-compliance and/or end-user technical issues, including loss of
computer or battery failure. Any student who cannot keep up with the coursework owing to a
lack of computer or Internet access must drop the course. Any student found to have quit
logging in (1 week) and whom the instructor is unable to contact is subject to being dropped
without further warning, resulting in either a "W" or a "FX" grade, depending upon the time of
the term at which the behavior is noted.
You must contact the distance education technicians when you have technology problems by
going to http://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8081.
HCC Student Course Grade Appeal Procedure
Any student who takes issue with the course or how it is taught should first express his or her
specific concerns to the instructor. Any challenges to the final course grade are governed by
the HCC Student Course Grade Appeal Procedure. The following statements are excerpts from
the Procedure: (http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students/student-rights-policies-
procedures)
•
“A student has a right to appeal a grade that the student believes was contrary to
procedures as specified in the course syllabus or was based on bias, caprice, or computational
or clerical error.”
•
“Faculty members have a right to have the grades they assign upheld unless it is
clearly demonstrated that a grade was contrary to procedures as specified in the course
syllabus or was based on bias, caprice, or computational or clerical error.”
•
“The student has the burden of proof. The student must present clear evidence that a
grade was contrary to procedures as specified in the course syllabus or was based on bias,
caprice, or computational or clerical error.”