Syllabus

Criminal Justice 101 – Introduction to the American System of Criminal Justice

Instructor: Steven L. Robinson

Office: Index 102

Phone: (425) 388-9517

Office Hours: 11:30-12:30 MTWF and by appointment

Course Description: Students will study the significance of each component of the criminal justice system and it’s dependence and interconnectivity. Systems will be examined to understand their relationship within the criminal justice system, and factors that influence operation such as financial limitation, court decisions, and social developments.

Students will research and discuss policy issues that impact the dynamic criminal justice system. Students will debate current issues that impact our society and our justice system.

This class is required for all criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections majors as a pre-requisite to other criminal justice classes.

Class Format: Lecture, guest speakers, videos, assigned reading, group projects, and class participation.

Required Texts: The American System of Criminal Justice, 10^th edition, by George F. Cole and Christopher E. Smith

Attendance: Regular attendance is strongly recommended. There are three group exercises during the quarter that require involvement by all members in the group and are individually graded on participation.

Note taking: Lectures and guest speakers will provide information that is not in the book. Note taking is required and will assist the student in quizzes and test.

Student Learning

Objectives: Identify and define the functions of the US Criminal Justice System

Apply current law and procedure to scenarios

Understand differences and similarities in the adult and juvenile systems

Describe the different functions of law enforcement agencies

Identify “landmark” court cases and the impact they have on the system

Identify major issues facing our criminal justice system

Understand the functions of Federal, State, County and Municipal Criminal Justice Agencies

Participate in structured role playing and problem solving activities

Research and debate criminal justice issues.

Tests:

Four tests will be given during the quarter. The three best scores will become your final test grade. If you choose, you can skip taking the final and use the three test score as your final grade. The first three will cover material for that section of study. The final test will be a combination of the three prior tests with the possibility of additional questions. All tests consist of multiple choice, matching and true false questions. You are required to bring a standard scan-tron sheet on the day of the test. Each test will also have an essay component. The topic will be given prior to the test. The essay will be graded on content and spelling/grammar. Students will be allowed to use a dictionary during the essay portion of the test if needed.

Test questions on readings will be taken from the book. Questions from the lecture will be on items that we have discussed as part of a lecture, group exercise and/or guest speaker.

Project:

Students will select a criminal justice topic or event and submit a paper that will meet the following criteria.

1. Must be original. I want your work, not what someone else has written. (If you are not aware of the consequences of plagiarism you need to check the student handbook. It can result in expulsion from school with a notation on your transcript!)

2. The paper will be divided in three sections.

a. In a paragraph describe the topic or event.

b. Describe the impact on the criminal justice system.

c. Describe your impression of the impact it had on individuals or society.

3. Topics and an outline of your project must be submitted before or during the fifth week of class.

4. Papers must be at least three pages long (Font size 12, double spaced), with a cover sheet that includes topic, class, hour of class, and student’s name.

5. Papers are due on or before the last day of class.

Papers will be graded on creativity, research, proper documentation of sources, and spelling/grammar.

Weekly assignments:

Weekly assignments will be required. They will be due on Mondays and will be turned in during class.

There will be a weekly assignment from the book. It will be an essay on a topic we have discussed, or a scenario that you will be required to resolve. (5 points per week = 50)

As you read think about the material you are studying and ask yourselves “So What”? Why are we studying this and what impact does it have on ME? Write two “So What”? questions for each chapter assigned and briefly answer them. (An Example is provided with this syllabus). (2 points per week = 20)

On weeks that we have a speaker you will be required to write a brief summary of the speakers lecture. After grading, these summaries will be given to the speaker. They will be graded on content, spelling and grammar. (2 points each week = 20)

Your final assignment is to provide at least two questions for our speaker. (1 point per week = 10)

All assignments are required to be typed or neatly written. Electronic assignments are not accepted without prior instructor approval.

Late Assignments:

Assignments must be turned in on due date to receive full credit. Assignment may be turned in prior to due date. Mitigating circumstances will be considered.

Group Participation:

The class will be divided up in small groups. There will be three group activities that will require meeting together for the purpose of discussion, planning, and presenting on assigned topics. Student will be graded according to their participation.

Tentative Class Schedule

Week	Chapter	Description
1	1 & 2	Is Criminal Justice an oxymoron
2	2 & 3	From a to z through the system
3	4 & 5	A system of laws and the enforcers
4	6	The police organization (Assessment 1)
5	7 & 8	Rights or Restrictions? Our constitutional laws
6	8 & 9	Now what? Issues and trends in modern policing / Our court system, is it broken? (Outline of Project due)
7	10 & 11	Who needs lawyers anyway – prosecutors and defense attorneys / Let’s make a deal. Plea bargaining in our court system. *(Assessment 2)*
8	12 - 14	Do the crime, serve the time. Punishment and sentencing. / Corrections
9	14 – 16	Prisons, Probation, and parole.
10	17	Prison Society / Juvenile Justice Systems (Assessment 3)
Finals

Grading:

Points Possible	Grade
Three section test = 100 points each	90.00-100% = A
Project = 100 points	80.00-89.99 = B
Weekly Assignments = 100 points	70.00-79.99 = C
Extra Credit up to 20 points	60.00 – 69.99 = D
Total points possible 500 (+extra credit)	Below 60.00 = E

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Sign Date

“So what” example

The text talked about Meagan’s Law and the registration of sex offenders. People want the registration but generally do not want the sex offenders living in their neighborhood. At meetings the neighbors yell and threaten the offender who has “served” his time, and have a chance to tell him what they think of him. I don’t believe any offender should be moved in a neighborhood where children live, but I don’t think we have the right to imprison people beyond the legal sentence. I am not sure what should be done, but I would not want living near me. It seems creepy.