Summer Sessions 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: CRIJ-1301 (Section: 71, CRN: 61086)
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 Only by appointment Monday - Thursday (Flexible Times) 

Additional Contact Information The best way to reach this instructor is through Email.
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.

Introduction To Criminal Justice A Brief Edition John Randolph Fuller Oxford University Press, 2019 ISBN 978-0-19-029817-3
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in reading.
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 is measured by pretest/posttest. All CSLOs are measured by class discussions, research project 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 1,2,4,6)
5. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state and local justice agencies. (CSLO 1,2,4,6)
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. * 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.
Lecture Topics Outline Part 1- Crime: Problems, Measurement, And Law
Chapter 1: Crime and Criminal Justice
Chapter 2: How Crime is Measured and Who it Affects
Chapter 3: Criminal Law

Part 2- Enforcing The Law
Chapter 4: The History and Organization of Law Enforcement
Chapter 5: Police Organization, Operation, and the Law
Chapter 6: Policing: Innovations and Controversies
 
Part 3- The Role of The Courts
Chapter 7: The Courts
Chapter 8: The Courtroom Work Group
Chapter 9: The Disposition: Plea Bargaining, Trial, Sentencing

Part 4-From Penology to Corrections and Back 
Chapter 10: The History of Control and Punishment
Chapter 11: Prisons and Jails
Chapter 12:  Community Corrections

Part 5- Contemporary Issues
Chapter 13: Juvenile Justice
Chapter 14: Criminal Justice in the Future: Issues and Concerns
Major Assignments Schedule Week 1: Part 1- Crime: Problems, Measurement, And Law (Chapter 1-3) (June 3rd- June 8th):

1. Print a Review Syllabus
2. Complete Introduction Discussion
3. Complete Introduction Assignment
4.Complete Syllabus Quiz
5. Complete Part 1 Discussion
6. Complete Part 1 Assignment
7. Quiz: Chapter 1-3

Week 2: Part 2- Enforcing The Law (Chapter 4-6) (June 9th- June 15th):

1. Complete Part 2 Discussion
2: Complete Part 2 Assignment
3. Quiz: Chapter 4-6


Week 3: Part 3- The Role of The Courts (Chapter 7-9) (June 16th- June 22nd):

1. Complete Part 3 Discussion
2. Complete Part 3 Assignment
3: Quiz: Chapter 7-9
4.Submit  Your Contemporary Issue In Criminal Justice Topic / Outline

Week 4: Part 4-From Penology to Corrections and Back (Chapter 10-12) (June 23rd- June 29th):

1. Complete Part 4 Discussion
2. Complete Part 4 Assignment
3. Quiz: Chapter 10-12

Week 5: Part 5- Contemporary Issues (June 30th- July 6th):

1.  Complete and Submit your Contemporary Issue In Criminal Justice Paper by July 7th before 10:00 P.M.

Week 6:  FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED (July 7th - July 9th)
Final Exam Date July 6, 2024 - 12:00 AM   Through  July 7, 2024 - 10:00 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Final Grades will be calculated according to the following criteria:

1. Discussion = 20%
2. Assignments = 20%
3. Quiz = 35%
3. Paper/Projects = 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. I DO NOT accept late work. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will only be discussed on a case by case basis. (ex. Medical situations such as hospitalization)
2. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY is not tolerated at Lamar State College Port Arthur. Therefore, plagiarism and/or the use of AI generated tools is NOT tolerated in this class. If plagiarism or AI generated work is discovered, all previously graded work is subject to regrading.
3. The best way to reach me is by email. I will respond to emails within 24-48 hours depending on the day.
4. You must email from your LSCPA email account. I will not respond to personal email accounts. 
Attendance Policy Active participation in this online class is important to your success in this class. You are expected to log into your Blackboard regularly (3-4 times a week for summer online classes) complete your discussion posts and required assignments.

"Never let yesterday use up today." - Richard H. Nelson
Additional Information
If you want to be successful in this class you must: read your book, take notes, watch the videos, and complete your assignments on time. Always ask for help if you need it! NO QUESTION is a dumb question. If I can't answer it when you ask... I'll get back with you in a timely manner. Here's to an awesome and successful semester in CRIJ-1301!!



"Preparation is the key to success." - Alexander Graham Bell
"Success is the sum of small efforts being repeated day in and day out." -Robert Collier
"Success looks different for everyone but it feels good to all us." - Trazarra Stelly
"Procrastination is the enemy of success." - Unknown


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