Course Syllabus

CJS200 Foundations of the Criminal Justice System Course Start Date: 02/15/2010 Course End Date: 04/18/2010

Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy reference. Whenever there is a question about what assignments are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling document.

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Facilitator Information

John Scott [email protected] (University of Phoenix) [email protected] (Personal) 772-216-6013 (EST)

Facilitator Availability I am available from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Eastern Time on most days, but I attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. During the week, I am online most of the time during that 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. - 12 a.m. time frame. On Saturdays, I tend to be online in the morning only. If these times are not convenient for you, please let me know. I will be happy to accommodate your schedule, if possible. I provide you with these times to make it easier to communicate with me, and not to limit our contact. I want you to know that, should you need to contact me outside these time frames, you should not hesitate to do so.

For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a message to my personal email address. In the event a third party needs to contact me, please direct them to my contact information listed under "facilitator information." No third party should use your login credentials to gain access to the classroom.

Where to Go to Class

Main: This is the main forum for the class and is where discussion is conducted. It has read-and-write access for everyone. Chat-Room: This is a read-and-write access forum. It is designed as a place to discuss issues not related to the course content. This is the forum to which we will send our bios. Course-Materials: This is a read-only forum, which means you can read messages here but cannot send any. This is where I will post the course syllabus and materials. Individual Forum: You will see one forum with your name on it. This is a private forum, shared only by you and me, the facilitator. Your classmates will not have access to this forum. This is where you will post your individual assignments, and where I will post your feedback. You can also ask questions here. However, if you have general questions about instructions of assignments, please post those in the Main forum, since other students may benefit by that exchange as well.

Policies

For class policies, please see the Policies link on the left side of the Materials page for the course on eCampus. Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within that link. University policies are subject to change so please be sure to read them at the beginning of each class as it may have changed since your last class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities it is important you read the policies governing your current class modality.

Technical Support

Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-877-832-4867, or use the e-mail

support form. Answers to the most common issues are found in the Knowledge Base by clicking Help, found at the top of every student Web site.

Feedback

Each week, I will provide grades or scores and comments on your assignments. I will send feedback to your Individual forum.

Grading Formula

Points Grade

95+ A

90-94 A-

87-89 B+

84-86 B

80-83 B-

77-79 C+

74-76 C

70-73 C-

67-69 D+

64-66 D

60-63 D-

<59 F

Course Description This course is an introduction to the foundational elements of the criminal justice system. Students examine this system from its influential past, to its multifaceted present, to its theorized future. This course gives the student an interactive pathway through the laws that protect the system, through the people that enforce the system, and through the courts that govern this system. It also provides an overview of the correctional systems and their impact and roles in American society. Other topics include crime causation, terrorism, and cybercrime-related issues.

Course Topics & Objectives Week One: The Criminal Justice System

 Discuss the definition of crime in relation to the consensus and conflict models.

 Describe the structure of the criminal justice system.

 Compare the two models of the criminal justice system. Week Two: Inside Criminal Law

 Relate theories of crime causation to major criminal trends.

 Describe the written sources of American criminal law.

 Identify justification and excuse defenses.

 Describe procedural safeguards in criminal law. Week Three: Police and Law Enforcement

 Discuss the three eras of American policing and their significance in society.

 Describe the role and importance of law enforcement agencies.

 Discuss the role of private security in society.

Week Four: Rules of Law Enforcement

 Discuss the implications of the Fourth Amendment in relation to terrorism and cyber crime.

 Analyze the two legal concepts of the Fourth Amendment.

 Assess the conditions of a proper arrest. Week Five: Criminal Courts

 Describe the responsibilities of the state and federal courts.

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of judges.

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the attorneys within the courtroom.

Week Six: Criminal Trials and Sentencing

 Describe the factors and procedures leading to bench and jury trials.

 Explain the role and importance of the Sixth Amendment.

 Describe the factors and purpose of sentencing.

 Analyze the debate of capital punishment and its significance in society. Week Seven: Probation and Corrections

 Analyze the justification for community corrections.

 Discuss the importance and effects of probation.

 Explain the purpose and function of intermediate sanctions. Week Eight: Prisons and Jails

 Analyze the impact of the Great Penitentiary Rivalry on the current prison system.

 Describe possible causes of the prison population bomb.

 Compare and contrast publicly funded and privately funded prisons.

 Describe the purpose of jails in society.

Week Nine: The Criminal Justice System in Action

 Discuss career opportunities within the criminal justice field.

 Outline the foundations of the criminal justice system.

Course Materials

Gaines, L. K. & Miller, R. L. (2006). Criminal justice in action: The core (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Axia College’s Writing Style Handbook, available online at

https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP.pdf All electronic materials are available on your student Web site.

Weekly Point Values for Course Assignments

Week One

CheckPoint: Models of the Criminal Justice System 30

Discussion Questions 10

Participation 10

Week Two

CheckPoint: Causation of Crime 30

Assignment: Inside Criminal La 100

Week Three

CheckPoint: Law Enforcement Agencies 30

Discussion Questions 10

Participation 10

Week Four

CheckPoint: Terrorism and Cyber Crime 30

Assignment: The Rules of Law Enforcement 100

Week Five

CheckPoint: Responsibilities of State and Federal Courts 30

Discussion Questions 10

Participation 10

Week Six

CheckPoint: Pretrial Procedures 30

Assignment: The Effects of Punishment and Sentencing 100

Week Seven

CheckPoint: Intermediate Sanctions 30

Discussion Questions 10

Participation 10

Week Eight

CheckPoint: Prison Populations 15

CheckPoint: Jails 15

Assignment: The Rough Draft 100

Week Nine

Capstone Discussion Question 20

Participation 10

Final Project: The Criminal Justice System 250

Point Total 1,000

Week One

The Criminal Justice System

 Discuss the definition of crime in relation to the consensus and conflict models.

 Describe the structure of the criminal justice system.

 Compare the two models of the criminal justice system.

Course Assignments 1. Course Preparation

 Read the course description and objectives.

 Read the instructor’s biography and post your own. 2. Readings

 Read Appendix A

 Read Ch. 1, 2, & 4 of Criminal Justice in Action.

3. CheckPoint: Models of the Criminal Justice System In order to develop an understanding of the American criminal justice system, one must recognize and evaluate the values that operate within the system. Many fundamental decisions are influenced by the nature of these values: to punish or to protect?

 Resources: Pages 18-20 of Criminal Justice in Action

 Write a 200- to 300-word response comparing and contrasting the two models for the American criminal justice system: the crime control model and the due process model. Which aspect of the system do you believe is more effective? Explain why.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your assignment as an attachment.

4. Discussion Questions

 How would you define crime? Based on your definition, which model do you relate to, consensus or conflict? Explain why.

 The text mentions that the federal government and the individual states share government powers related to the criminal justice system. How do you feel power should be distributed between state and federal systems? Explain your rationale. How would this affect the structure of the criminal justice system as we see it today?

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 1 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Discussion Question 1 Main Forum Day 2

Discussion Question 2 Main Forum Day 4

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 6

Week Two

Inside Criminal Law

 Relate theories of crime causation to major criminal trends.

 Describe the written sources of American criminal law.

 Identify justification and excuse defenses.

 Describe procedural safeguards in criminal law.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Causation of Crime

An effective approach to understanding the criminal mind is to look at the theories and statistical trends that influence the causation of crime.

 Resources: pp. 30–43 of Criminal Justice in Action

 Write a 350- to 700-word response addressing the following points: o Compare and contrast two theories on the causation of crime. o Choose one crime trend outlined in the text and explain its relationship to one of the

crime theories you just compared. o Relate this crime trend to your specific geographical area (city or state). o Relate this crime trend to the area where you live and compare this trend to an area I

assign to you. o Support your findings with statistics.

 Summarize your findings.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment. Assignment: Inside Criminal Law During these past two weeks, you have discussed the structure of the criminal justice system and the models that comprise this system; you have explored the definition of crime; and you have established the various causes and trends that lead to crime. Having this background knowledge helps to build a foundation for understanding criminal law.

 Resources: pp. 76–91 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Write a 750- to 1,050-word paper examining certain aspects of criminal law. In your paper complete the following:

o Describe the purposes of criminal law.

 Describe the two main functions of criminal law.

 Describe the written sources of American criminal law and their purposes. o Describe how criminal responsibility may be limited.

 Identify one justification and excuse defense.

 Explain why they are used.

o Describe the procedural safeguards that protect American Constitutional rights.

 Include the Bill of Rights.

 Include Due Process.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text to support your findings.

 Format you paper according to APA standards.

 Post your assignment as an attachment.

Weekly Reminders

Summary of Week 2 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 3

Writing Assignment Individual Forum Day 6

Week Three

Police and Law Enforcement

 Discuss the three eras of American policing and their significance in society.

 Identify the role and importance of law enforcement agencies.

 Discuss the role of private security in society.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

 Read Ch. 5, 7, & 15 of Criminal Justice in Action.

2. CheckPoint: Law Enforcement Agencies

 Write a 200- to 300-word response identifying what you feel are the three most important law enforcement agencies. Describe their importance. How effective do you feel these agencies are? Explain.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your checkpoint as an attachment.

3. Discussion Questions

 What is your overall opinion on the community era of policing as opposed to past eras and their role in society? What aspects of the previous eras would be beneficial today? Should policing continue with the way it is going; be integrated with past policies; or be completely reformed again? How effective is this era of policing in your community? Explain.

 Private security has become an important aspect in protecting businesses and properties. Where do you see examples of private security? How effective do you feel the private security industry is in preventing crime and protecting communities?

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 3 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Discussion Question 1 Main Forum Day 2

Discussion Question 2 Main Forum Day 4

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 6

Week Four

Rules of Law Enforcement

 Discuss the implications of the Fourth Amendment in relation to terrorism and cyber crime.

 Analyze the two legal concepts of the Fourth Amendment.

 Assess the conditions of a proper arrest.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Terrorism and Cyber Crime

 Write a 200- to 300-word response explaining the affect terrorism and cyber crimes have on interpreting the Fourth Amendment. Use a current event as a reference to help support your explanation. Do you feel the response or act was justified? Explain why or why not.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment.

2. Assignment: The Rules of Law Enforcement

 Resources: pp. 163–181 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Read the case study in Appendix B.

 Write a 350- to 700-word response addressing the following questions:

o Did the police conduct a lawful search and seizure under the guidelines described in the text. Explain why or why not.

o Was the suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights violated?

 Was it reasonable?

 Was there probable cause?

o What evidence in the case study led you to this conclusion? o What about the arrest was conducted in a proper manner? In an improper manner? o When did the police issue the Miranda rights? Was this done correctly? Why is it

important for the police to read Miranda rights to an individual being arrested? o Were the police able to conduct a lawful interrogation on the suspect? Explain why or

why not.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your assignment as an attachment. .

Weekly Reminders

Summary of Week 4 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 3

Writing Assignment Individual Forum Day 6

Week Five

Criminal Courts

 Describe the responsibilities of the state and federal courts.

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of judges.

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the attorneys within the courtroom.

Course Assignments 1. Readings

 Read Ch. 8–10 of Criminal Justice in Action.

2. CheckPoint: Responsibilities of State and Federal Courts There are several levels within the state and federal court systems.

 Resources: pp. 192–201 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Write a 350- to 700-word response describing each court level and its responsibilities. Then, describe the two main differences you found between the state and federal court systems.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment. .

3. Discussion Questions

 Many judges in the criminal court system are not only overworked, but also must contend with the worst of society. How does the role and responsibility of a judge differ in a real-life courtroom as opposed to the mystique portrayed in the movies or on television?

 What affect do the media have on public opinion? On the roles and responsibilities of the attorneys in a trial? Does this media viewpoint accurately portray these professionals? Explain why or why not.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 5 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Discussion Question 1 Main Forum Day 2

Discussion Question 2 Main Forum Day 4

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 6

Week Six

Criminal Trials and Sentencing

 Describe the factors and procedures leading to bench and jury trials.

 Explain the role and importance of the Sixth Amendment.

 Describe the factors and purpose of sentencing.

 Analyze the debate of capital punishment and its significance in society.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Pretrial Procedures

 Resources: pp. 221–246 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Imagine that you are going to prepare a group of prospective jurors for an upcoming trial.

 Read Appendix C regarding how to create a Microsoft ® PowerPoint

® presentation.

 Create a 7- to 10-slide Microsoft ® PowerPoint

® presentation that describes the following:

o The steps leading to a trial. o The role and importance of the Sixth Amendment. o The process of jury selection and the procedures of a jury trial.

 Include detailed speaker's notes for each slide.

 Post your presentation as an attachment.

2. Assignment: The Effects of Punishment and Sentencing

Sentencing is an important aspect in the criminal justice process. It is the punishment defendants receive when they are convicted of a crime. The punishment spectrum is wide and vast, ranging from probation to death.



 Resources: pp. 256–278 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Write a 750- to 1,050-word paper analyzing the integral role sentencing plays in the criminal justice process and its effects on society. In your paper, address the following points:

o Describe the fundamental philosophies surrounding the purpose of sentencing. o Describe the factors that go into the determination of each specific sentence. o Analyze the debate surrounding capital punishment.

 Review 2 to 3 viewpoints for each side of the issue.

 Decide if the arguments are valid. Explain your rationale.

 Describe how this debate influences the decisions for punishment as a whole.

o This is an opportunity for you to look at the debate from an outside viewpoint. Treat each side equally with an unbiased view.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text to support each side of the argument.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your assignment as an attachment.

Weekly Reminders

Summary of Week 6 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 3

Writing Assignment Individual Forum Day 6

Week Seven

Probation and Corrections

 Analyze the justification for community corrections.

 Discuss the importance and effects of probation.

 Explain the purpose and function of intermediate sanctions.

Course Assignments 1. Readings

 Read Ch. 11–12 of Criminal Justice in Action.

2. CheckPoint: Intermediate Sanctions

 Resources: pp. 298–303 of Criminal Justice in Action.

 Write a 200- to 300-word response defining what intermediate sanctions are, their purpose in the criminal justice process, and their function as a sentencing alternative. Then, answer this question: Do you feel intermediate sanctions are an appropriate punishment? Explain your rationale.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment. 3. Discussion Questions

 What do you feel about community corrections? Do you feel a community-based punishment is justifiable in today’s society? Explain why or why not. Provide an example of a community- based punishment. How do community corrections affect American society?

 Probation has become an integral part of the sentencing process. Why has probation become so prevalent as a means of punishment? How effective is this means of punishment? Explain.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 7 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Discussion Question 1 Main Forum Day 2

Discussion Question 2 Main Forum Day 4

Checkpoint Individual Forum Day 6

Week Eight

Prisons and Jails

 Analyze the impact of the Great Penitentiary Rivalry on the current prison system.

 Describe possible causes of the prison population bomb.

 Compare and contrast publicly funded and privately funded prisons.

 Describe the purpose of jails in society.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Prison Populations

 Use the University Library to locate an article on the possible causes of increased prison populations.

 Write a 200- to 300-word response summarizing the article’s content.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment.

2. CheckPoint: Jails

 Resources: pp. 325–328 of Criminal Justice in Action

 Write a 200- to 300-word response describing the purpose of jails in society. Is the current system effective? Explain your rationale.

 Cite at least one source in addition to the course text.

 Format your paper according to APA standards.

 Post your Checkpoint as an attachment. 3. Assignment: The Prison System

Last week, probation and community punishments were discussed at length to provide a look into the various ways the criminal justice system can punish its guilty parties. This assignment provides you with an insight into the jails and prisons for those who require a harsher punishment.

 Resources: pp. 312–325 of Criminal Justice in Action

 Write a 750- to 1,050-word paper analyzing the history, the purpose, and other aspects of the American prison system. Address the following points:

o Describe the affect of the Great Penitentiary Rivalry on our current prison system.

 How does this rivalry continue to shape and influence American thinking about the prison system’s purpose?

o Describe the comparison between publicly funded and privately funded prisons.

 Why is privatizing the prison system a topic of debate?

 Cite at least two sources in addition to the course text to support your rationale.

 Format your assignment according to APA standards.

 Post your assignment as an attachment.

Weekly Reminders

Summary of Week 8 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Checkpoint 1 Individual Forum Day 2

Checkpoint 2 Individual Forum Day 4

Writing Assignment Individual Forum Day 6

Week Nine

The Criminal Justice System in Action

 Discuss career opportunities within the criminal justice field.

 Outline the foundations of the criminal justice system.

Course Assignments 1. Final Project: The Criminal Justice System

Throughout this course, you have come to know the complexity of the criminal justice system and how its design protects the public while punishing those that commit crimes. It is part of our society’s fabric. Prepare a presentation on this system to a new student entering the criminal justice program.

 Resources: Criminal Justice in Action, and Appendix A

 Review Appendix C regarding the creation of a Microsoft ® PowerPoint

® presentation, if

necessary.

 Create a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft ® PowerPoint

® presentation outlining the procedural steps

of the criminal justice system. o Define the criminal justice system in your own words. o The crime: Choose a crime trend from the text and identify this trend in your city or state.

Create a chart to illustrate the crime trend statistics you chose. o The police: Identify the roles and responsibilities of the police after a crime has been

committed. What they must do and why? o The courtroom and trial: Identify a courtroom in your area or state. Identify those who

work in a courtroom and describe their roles. o Sentencing and punishment: Explain the purpose of sentencing and punishment, identify

forms of punishment, identify some factors of sentencing, and identify who sets the sentencing.

o Corrections: Identify 2 to 3 correctional facilities in your area or state. Provide information

about the types of facilities they are (maximum or minimum security); the types of designs; whether they are private or public; their population statistics; and their type of crime statistics.

o Community: Explain the community’s role by highlighting 2 to 3 community-based

programs in your area or state. Describe their purpose and functions.

 Include detailed speaker's notes for each slide.

 Cite at least two sources in addition to the course text to support your statistical findings.

 Format your project according to APA standards.

 Post your final project as an attachment.

2. Capstone Discussion Question

 From your reading of the resources listed in Appendix D, which career within the criminal justice field would you most like to pursue? Explain. What kind of information would you like to know about this career? What might you do to further research this career?

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 9 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due

Capstone Discussion Question Main Forum Day 3

Final Project Individual Forum Day 6