MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
COURSE:
LAW 100 Introduction To Criminal Justice Spring 2014 - 3 Credit Hours
INSTRUCTOR:
Frederica Nix
Wilson Hall #204 G - Office
271-5916 - Phone
Office Hours:
M & W: Noon – 1:00 PM
T & Th: 11:00 - 12:30 PM
(Other office appointments available at instructor’s discretion)
REQUIRED TEXT: CRIMINAL JUSTICE. James Inciardi, 9th Edition
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a survey class of the historical and philosophical background of the criminal justice system
as the system relates to the individual. The course will review the principles underlying social
organizational control by the components of the criminal justice system such as law enforcement,
criminal courts, juvenile justice, and the corrections. The survey is designed to provide general
knowledge about the concept of crime, the causes of crime, and the varying goals and objectives of
the criminal justice system.
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain how the law is used as a means of social control, identify kinds of law, and functions
of the law, and the legal limitations within society.
2. Compare the types of crimes, penalties/punishments, and situations under which criminal
responsibility exists.
3. Discuss the elements of the major crimes against persons and property.
4. Explain the role of policing agencies and the functions of law enforcement in society.
5. Illustrate basic concepts of criminal law such as due process, the adversary system,
jurisdiction, and burden of proof.
6. Discuss the various aspects of the U.S. Court System.
7. Outline the conviction process as it relates to the administration of justice.
8. Examine the Court penalty phase/sentencing as it relates to the correction process.
9. Contrast the Juvenile Court process with the Adult Criminal Court process.
COURSE ORGANIZATION:
The course is divided into a series of 4 units.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
Final grades for this course will be determined upon student achievement in terms of the course
objectives. Achievement will be measured by providing tests to permit a student an opportunity
to demonstrate knowledge. Additionally, final grading will be based upon not only the test results
but will include written assignments, class attendance, extra credit activities, and active class
discussion. Class discussion must be valid to the current topic in the class. Credit for
attendance and discussion will be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. Assignments
completed during class time can not be made up at a later date and time.
GRADE CRITERIA:
There will be (4) major tests administered during the semester with additional reading assignment
tests. Major tests will be worth a maximum of 100 points. The testing format will be multiple
choice questions plus an optional extra credit essay question. Test material will be taken from
assigned readings, from class lecture notes, and class hand-outs.
Exams must be taken at the scheduled time. Anyone missing an announced exam will be
allowed a make-up exam the last of the semester (Monday, April 28th @ 10:00 AM in the
Criminal Justice Dept. Conference Room).
All assignments will have a due date and any assignment received by the instructor after the due
date will have a reduced credit value.
During the semester there may be a class assignment given during class time on that date. The
assignment is not a make-up assignment and if the student is absent on that date there is no
opportunity to complete work at a later time.
Make-up work is the direct responsibility of the student!
Assignment dates as well as exams are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to keep
informed of all course changes through regular class attendance.
The grading scale is as follows:
A grade of A – 90% to 100% of the total points possible..
A grade of B – 80% to 89% of the total points possible.
A grade of C – 70% to 79% of the total points possible.
A grade of D – 60% to 69% of the total points possible.
A grade of F will indicate that the student obtained an average of less than 60% of the total
number of points possible on exams and assignments.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Regular class attendance is a must to satisfactorily complete this course. A student will be given
an excused absence when acting as an official representative of the university, with verification
provided from the faculty/staff supervisor of the event. Medical treatment may also be a situation
of excused absence with verification of the need for the appointment during class time as well as
family emergencies on a case by case basis, again accompanied with documentation for the
absence. All other absences will be deemed unexcused The maximum number of unexcused
absences allowed for this class is “3". Thus, when you have 3 +1 unexcused absences your grade
will be reduced by one full letter grade. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor
when unable to attend class.
Students must be on time for class. Attendance will be taken each session and tardiness
will be noted.
No Cell phones usage permitted in class! All cell phones should be turned off and put away
once class begins.
No I-Pod’s to be worn in class!
Eating is also prohibited during class!
Sleeping is not allowed in class!
No dark glasses may be worn during class.
Disruptive behavior will “not” be tolerated and may result in the student being asked to
leave the class and their grade will be affected accordingly!! Engaging in “any” activity not
class connected is unacceptable; for example, texting, leaving early, arriving late, browsing
on a laptop during lecture or reading non-course material. All students are entitled to an
environment conducive to learning. As stated in the MWSU Student Handbook, instructors “may
establish additional behavior rules and expectations for conduct in the classroom. Behavior
which disrupts the classroom environment or interferes with other students ability to learn may be
grounds or justification for dismissal from the classroom” (28). It is important to maintain a
cordial and respectful attitude in which we cooperatively can learn. All class discussion on
any topic should be presented with respect towards others.
STUDENT DISABILITY:
Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities
should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and
any accommodations that can assist the student in achieving maximum academic goals.
CLASS PARTICIPATION/DISCUSSION:
A student’s participation in class discussion contributes to the final grade. Discussion must be
valid and relevant to the required text reading at all times and should not be repetition from
other students or comments/questions of a joking nature. Discussion should contribute
additional opinion or knowledge to the topic of the day.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY and DUE PROCESS:
Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include
any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or
academic records, or any other fraudulent activity. Your writing should always be your own
words. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in
the course, or expulsion from the University. When a student’s grade has been affected,
violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the
Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.
Please see the 2013-2014 Western Student Handbook and Calendar for specific activities
identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is
also available online at http://www:missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf.
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNED TEXT READINGS:
Week
Topic
Reading
1
“Criminal Justice” in
America
Chap. 1
2
Crime and the Nature of Law
Chap. 2
3
Legal & Behavioral Aspects of Crime
Chap. 3
4
Criminal Statistics & Extent of Crime
Chap. 4
TEST 1
5
The Process of
Justice: An Overview
Chap. 5
6
Police Systems in the
United States
Chap. 6
7
Enforcing the Law &
Keeping the Peace
Chap. 7
8
The Law of Arrest,
Search, & Seizure
Chap. 8
TEST 2
9
Beyond the Limits of
the Law
Chap. 9
10
The Structure of
American Courts
Chap. 10
11
Judges, Prosecutors,
& Others and The
Chap. 11 & 12
Business of the Court
12
Senten
cing, Appeal
& Judgment of
Death
Chap. 13
TEST 3
13
14
The American Prison
Experience
Chap. 14
Penitentiaries, Prisons, & Correctional Institutions
15
Chap. 15
Juvenile Justice
Chap. 18
FINAL EXAM