Syllabus

I.  Course Description:  Exploration of the origins and significance of key ideas influencing the rise and development of the criminal justice system.  Selected major ideas of law enforcement, courts and corrections are examined in relationship to current criminal justice policies and practices.

II.  Prerequisite:  Graduate standing

III.  Objectives of the course: to provide the graduate student a current and comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system.

IV.  Expectations of students:

1. Read and be prepared to discuss and evaluate all assigned readings.

2. Participate fully in course activities (both in and out of the classroom)

3. Complete all individual assignments.

4. Participate in and complete a group policy case study project

    Class participation consists of:

1. attendance

2. preparation for each class session

3. active and thoughtful participation in discussions based on a thorough and critical analysis of readings

4. active and full participation in classroom activities

   Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is essential to the intellectual life of the University.  Students who pass off as their own answers, words, ideas, or research findings of another person are guilty of academic dishonesty.  More specifically, it is essential that you give credit when due to authors whose works you have consulted.  For example, you must acknowledge when you are using someone else's ideas.  You must also use quotation marks to set off words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs that have been written by someone else and also cite the source of this material.  Failure to do is cause for a charge of plagiarism or academic dishonesty.  The author of a paper suspected to contain plagiarized elements will be reported to the appropriate university officials.  Additional definitions and discussions of plagiarism are provided in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.), in the section on ethics (and especially on pp. 349-350).

V.  Textbook in Bookstore 

Walker, S. (2006).  Sense and non-sense about crime and drugs: A policy guide. Thomson Wadsworth; Belmont, CA.

VI.  Basis for Student Evaluation:

Connection Statements (2)   50 points each           100 points

Article Critiques (8)                20 points each           160 points

Policy Definition/Policy Practice                                 60 points

Group Research Project/Paper/Poster                    120 points

Class Participation                                                   140 points

Grades will be distributed as follows:

93% & up            A

83% to 92%        B

82% to 73%        C

Incomplete grades will be granted only for extenuating circumstances per the Southeast Graudate School Catalog.