Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: CRIJ-1301 (Section: 1E, CRN: 93056)
Introduction to Criminal Justice 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Trazarra Stelly
Email stellytn1@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6102
Office Educational I - Room: 131
Office Hours Virtual Office Hours by appointment only. Monday-Friday ( flexible times)
Additional Contact Information Email is the preferred method of contact. You can also contact Ms. Stelly by phone at (409) 984-6504.
Course Information
Description This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent, and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Criminal Justice in Action 10e
Larry K. Gaines and Roger Leroy Miller
Cengage, 2019

Textbook provided by Wilson Early College High School
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in reading.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Describe the American judicial systems (civil, criminal, and juvenile), their jurisdiction, development and structure.
  • Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group.
  • Identify judicial processes from pretrial to appeal.
  • Describe the significant Constitutional Amendments, doctrines, and other sources of law in the American judicial system.
Core Objectives Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate effective, written, oral and visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. 

Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline This class is comprised of 4 parts which are listed below. In each section, you will have lectures, required readings, and supplemental videos. 

Part 1: Criminal Justice System
Chapter 1- Criminal Justice Today
Chapter 2- Cause of Crime
Chapter 3- The Crime Picture: Offenders and Victims
Chapter 4- Inside Criminal Law

Part 2: The Police and Law Enforcement
Chapter 5- Law Enforcement Today
Chapter 6- Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing
Chapter 7- Police and the Constitution: The Rules of Law Enforcement

Part 3: Criminal Courts
Chapter 8- Courts and the Quest for Justice
Chapter 9- Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action
Chapter 10- The Criminal Trial
Chapter 11- Punishment and Sentencing

Part 4: Corrections
Chapter 12- Probation, Parole and Intermediate Sanctions
Chapter 13- Prisons and Jails
Chapter 14- The Prison Experience and Prisoner Reentry
Major Assignments Schedule
DATE TOPIC READINGS
Due on this date		 ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments must be submitted before 10 p.m.
8/26 – 8/31 WELCOME WEEK 8/26: Syllabus Review 8/28:
  • Syllabus Bingo
8/31:
  • Welcome Week Assignment
  • Syllabus Quiz
9/1 – 9/7 Part 1: Criminal Justice Today
 		 9/2: Chapter 1- Criminal Justice Today 9/7:
  • Chapter 1 Assignment
9/8 – 9/14
 
 		   9/9: Chapter 2- Causes of Crime
9/11: Chapter 3- The Crime Picture: Offenders and Victims		 9/14:
  •  Chapter 2 & 3 Assignment
9/15 – 9/21
 		   9/16: Chapter 4- Inside Criminal Law 9/21:
  •  Chapter 4 Assignment
  • Part 1 Test
9/22 – 9/28 Part 2: The Police and Law Enforcement 9/23: Chapter 5- Law Enforcement Today 9/27:
  • Groups and Final Topics assigned
9/28:
  • Chapter 5 Assignment
9/29 – 10/5   9/30: Chapter 6- Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing 10/5:
  • Chapter 6 Assignment
10/6 – 10/12   10/7: Chapter 7- Police and the Constitution: The Rules of Law Enforcement 10/12:
  • Chapter 7 Assignment
  • Part 2 Test
10/13 – 10/19
No Class Monday 10/14		 Part 3: Criminal Courts 10/16: Chapter 8: Courts and the Quest for Justice 10/19:
  • Chapter 8 Assignment
10/20 – 10/26   10/21: Chapter 9: Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action
 		 10/26:
  • Chapter 9 Assignment
10/27 – 11/2   10/28:  Chapter 10- The Criminal Trial 10/30: Chapter 11- Punishment and Sentencing 11/2:
  • Chapter 10 & 11 Assignment
  • Part 3 Test
11/3 – 11/9 Part 4: Corrections 11/4: Chapter 12- Probation, Parole, and Intermediate Sanctions 11/9:
  • Chapter 12 Assignment
11/10 – 11/16   11/11:  Chapter 13-Prisons and Jails 11/16:
  • Chapter 13 Assignment
11/17 – 11/23   11/18: Chapter 14- The Prison Experience and Prisoner Reentry 11/23:
  • Chapter 14 Assignment
  • Part 4 Test
11/24 – 11/30 Thanksgiving Week NO READINGS NO CLASS
12/1 – 12/7 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Final Papers and Presentations DUE 12/2
  • Work in Groups
12/4
  • Work in Groups
  • ALL FINAL PAPERS are due BEFORE 10 p.m.
12/6
  • Final Presentations groups 1- 3
12/8– 12/12 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice  Final Presentations Continued... 12/9:
  • Final Class Presentations Groups 4-6
12/11:
  • Final Class Presentations Groups 7-9

  • FINAL GRADES WILL BE SUBMITTED

Final Exam Date December 6, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 11, 2024 - 9:0 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Class Participation/Discussion- 15%
Assignments- 40%
Tests - 20%
Final Project-25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies I do NOT accept late work. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are few exceptions but those will only be discussed on a case by case basis. (Medical emergencies/hospitalizations)

Plagiarism is not tolerated at LSCPA. Therefore, plagiarism is not tolerated in this class. If plagiarism is discovered, all previously graded work is subject to regrading. 

You must email this instructor from your LSCPA email account. I will not respond to personal email accounts. 
Attendance Policy Regular attendance is important in your quest for success. Although this is a face to face class, you are required to utilize blackboard to submit most of your work. Logging into Blackboard at least 2 times weekly is part of your overall attendance and participation grade.


"Preparation is key to success." - Alexander Graham Bell

"Success is the sum of small efforts being repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier

If you want to be successful in this course you must utilize your syllabus, read your textbook, take notes, watch the videos, complete and submit your work on time. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask. Here's to a successful semester in CRIJ 1301!  
Additional Information

TIMELY CARE

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for Lamar State College Port Arthur students. Any enrolled student can use TimelyCare. There is no cost to students. Go to timelycare.com/LSCPA or download the TimelyCare app to access care. 
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431