Spring 2019 Course Syllabus Course: CRIJ-1301- Section: 1E Introduction to Criminal Justice

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: MWF 12 - 1pm, TTR 9am - 1pm
Department	Business and Technology Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341
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.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes: PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading PSLO Alpha measured by pretest/posttest All CSLOs measured by class discussions, online discussion board, and embedded test questions 1. Describe the History and Philosophy of the American Criminal Justice System (CSLO 1, 2, 6 Alpha) 2. Explain the nature and extent of Crime in America. (CSLO 1, 2, 6) 3. Analyze the impact and consequences of crime. (CSLO 1, 2) 4. Evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system. (CSLO 1, 2, 6) 5. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes. (CSLO 1, 2)
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. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Textbooks	Criminal Justice in Action, 9th Edition Gaines and Miller Cengage Publishing ISBN 978-1-305-63375-9 NOTE: WILSON ECHS SHOULD HAVE THESE BOOKS FOR YOU, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO USE AN ELECTRONIC VERSION AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE.
Lecture Topics Outline	Criminal Justice Today Causes of Crime Offenders and Victims Inside Criminal Law Law Enforcement Today Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing Police and the Constitution Courts and the Quest for Justice Pretrial Procedures The Criminal Trial Punishment and Sentencing Probation, Parole and Intermediate Sanctions Prisons and Jails The Prisoner Experience and Prisoner Reentry The Juvenile Justice System Today's Challenges: Cyber Crime
Major Assignments Schedule	Course Calendar Week 1 Course Introduction; Pretest, Chapter 1 Week 2 Chapter 2 Week 3 Chapter 3 Week 4 Chapter 4 Week 5 Test 1, Chapter 5 Week 6 Chapter 6 Week 7 Chapter 7 Week 8 Chapter 8 Week 9 Chapter 9 Week 10 Test 2, Chapter 10 Week 11 Chapter 11 Week 12 Chapter 12 Week 13 Chapter 13 Week 14 Test 3, Chapter 14 Week 15 Chapter 15 and 16, Review for Final, Post Test Week 16 Final Exam
Final Exam Date	May 14, 2019 - 7:30 AM   Through  May 16, 2019 - 8:45 AM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests - 70% Blackboard Discussion Board -10% Chapter exercises - 10% Attendance -10%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	The best way to reach me is by email. Your first contact if you have an issue with anything on the LSCPA Campus should be with the administration at Wilson ECHS. If there is a question about grades or assignments, you can contact me directly.
Attendance Policy	Regular prompt attendance is required. Excessive absences will result in reduced grades and/or failure. Coming in late to class is disruptive, in addition to reducing your grade. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AND BE ON TIME TO CLASS. DO NOT SLEEP IN CLASS! SLEEPING DURING CLASS = BEING ABSENT. This class only meets twice per week and we have a lot of information to cover. Your attendance will be reflected in your grade (that is, if you do not come to class, you will not get what you need in order to do well on tests and assignments).
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
Important Information
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.
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other	CELL PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS. Once we start class phones need to be on SILENT and OFF OF YOUR DESK/OUT OF YOUR LAP/PLACED INTO IN A BACKPACK OR BOOK BAG. IF YOU HAVE YOUR PHONE OUT IN CLASS AFTER WE START I WILL TAKE IT UP AND TURN IT INTO WILSON ECHS AND YOU MAY OBTAIN IT BACK PER SCHOOL POLICY. Your lowest graded non-final test will be dropped from your grade calculation, if you miss a test that grade will be dropped. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE UP A TEST YOU MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH DR. BECKCOM AND WITH WILSON ECHS TO DO SO. I DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY HELP YOU MAKE UP A TEST. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK THAT A MAKE UP BE ARRANGED. YOU NEED TO TAKE NOTES IN CLASS! This is a COLLEGE LEVEL CLASS, it is not high school. You are expected to perform as a college student. You will have access to my PowerPoint for every class and you are welcome to print them and use them to take notes. I allow you to use your notes on each test, SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS! Participation in class activities is important to learning the concepts in this class. Participation IS NOT merely breathing and taking up space, you must fully and intelligently take part in class activities. To do this it is essential that you do all assigned readings, required research, and pay attention in class. We do weekly current events, so it is important that you stay current with news worthy criminal events around town.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.