University of Central Florida
Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department
Syllabus: CCJ 3024.001 Criminal Justice Systems
Class Meets: M, W, F 8:00-8:50AM HPA 125
Term: Spring 2003
Instructor: Jerome Randall
Telephone: (407) 823-3737
Office Hours: M: 9:15–10:45AM; W: 9:15–10:45AM & 2:00–2:30PM; F: 9:15-1045AM
Office Location: HPA RM 322
E-mail: jrandall@mail.ucf.edu
Course Description: An examination of the components of the criminal justice system and of their interdependence in light of their traditional autonomy.
Text: Criminal Justice In Action, second edition, Larry K.Gaines and Roger Leroy Miller. While no other supplemental text is required, relevant supplemental reading is encouraged.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Understand the interdependence of components of the criminal justice system
2.Understand how public policies on crime are formed
3. Explain the history and organization of American police
4. Discuss issues and trends in American policing
5. Explain the dual court system and the hierarchy of courts in the United States
6. Discuss the philosophical basis for criminal punishment
7. Explain the role of corrections in the criminal justice system
Course Requirements: Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1.All students will be required to complete a written or oral project on an appropriate criminal justice topic. Many topics for the project are contained in the text and are available from the instructor. The project should demonstrate the student’s ability to use information resources beyond the text and class lectures. Your analysis should be based on a wide variety of resources found in the library (books, journals, the worldwide web, etc.). This will comprise 25% of the final grade.
a. If the project is presented in class as an oral presentation, a brief (one-page, typed and double-spaced) summary of the presentation and a listing of all sources used to prepare the presentation will be presented to the instructor on the day of the presentation. The presentation will be no more than fifteen minutes. Also, all sources that were used to prepare the presentation must be shown to the class at the conclusion of the presentation. Failure to comply with this will have a negative impact on your grade. Students may use a collage, video or other graphicrepresentation to support the presentation. Students may work in groups of two to five students toselect the topic, prepare it and present it in class. Group participation is only allowed for oral presentations. It is not permissible to use the same, or substantially the same, presentation for this course that is being used (or previously used) for another course. This is a form of academic cheating.
b. If the project is presented as a written paper, it must contain a cover page with the student’s name, instructor’s name, title of paper, and class. It must be a minimum of seven pages and a maximum of ten pages, not including the cover, end notes or reference pages. Use proper citations utilizing APA or MLA styles. The paper must be typed, pages numbered, double-spaced, 12 font, with no more than 11/2 inch margins on each side, top and bottom. The paper must be stapled (do not used paper clips), not placed in a binder or notebook. I expect to see a minimum of eight sources/references. Your class text may be used, but will not be counted as one of the eight references. In grading the papers, I will look for errors in spelling, typing, and grammar (mechanics of writing).
2. Original Papers Only: I will only accept papers that are the original typed or computer-printed (no photocopies please). The entire paper must be consistent--the typing (font) and kind of paper. Do not insert pages that are a different kind of typing or paper. Anything other than this raises a presumption that this paper was previously used. It is not permissible to use the same, or substantially the same, paper for this course that is being used, or previously used, for another course. This is a form of academic cheating.
3. Papers and Presentations Datelines: All written projects will be collected in class on the due date. Papers that are not turned in at that time will be considered late. Have your papers completed before you come to class. Dates for presentations will be assigned after groups are formed in class.
4. The exams will comprise 65% of the final grade (Exams one and two 20% each and exam three 25%). NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE PERMITTED EXCEPT IN CASES OF A DOCUMENTED EMERGENCY. Documentation must be provided along with a written request to make up exams.
5. Attendance/Participation: Attendance will comprise 10% of the final grade. Each student is expected to attend class and participate in class meetings. While class attendance may not be taken daily, students are encouraged to attend each class. Final grades will be reduced for more than four unexcused absences or the same number of incidents of being late to class. Please come to class on time, it is too difficult to attempt to adjust attendance records for students who arrive late.
6. Academic Honesty Policy: Students are expected to be honest in their work. Violations of student academic behavior standards are outlined in The Golden Rule, the University of Central Florida’s Student Handbook. See http://www.ucf.edu/goldenrule for further details.
7. Disability Statement: The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Participants with disabilities who need accommodations must contact Student Disability Services.
8. Grading Policy: A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F: below 60%
COURSE SCHEDULE:
The course schedule is intended to be used as a guide to assist you in planning class preparation. It is subject to change as the instructor may deem necessary. It is in the best interest of students to come to class prepared by reading the material prior to class, as students may be asked to comment on issues or questions reflecting their knowledge.
Week 1 1/6 Introduction Ch 1: Criminal Justice Today
1/8 Ch 1
1/10 Ch 1
Week 2 1/13 Ch 2: Measuring and Explaining Crime
1/15 Ch 2
1/17 Ch 3: Criminal Law
Week 3 1/20 M.L. King Birthday (Holiday)
1/22 Ch 3
1/24 Ch 3
Week 4 1/27 Ch 4: Police: Agents of Law and Order
1/29 Ch 4
1/31 Ch 4, Chapter 5: Policing: Organization and Strategies
Week 5 2/3 Ch 5
2/5 Ch 5
2/7 Ch 5 Review
Week 6 2/10 Exam 1 (Chs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
2/12 Ch 6: Police and the Rule of Law
2/14 Ch 6
Week 7 2/17 Ch 7: Challenges to Effective Policing
2/19 Ch 7
2/21 Ch 7, Chapter 8: Courts and the Quest for Justice
Week 8 2/24 Ch 8
2/26 Ch 8
2/28 Ch 9: Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action
Week 9 3/3 Ch 9
3/5 Ch 9, Ch 10: The Criminal Trial
3/7 Ch 10
Week 10 3/10 Ch 10 Review
3/12 Exam 2 (Chs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
3/14 Ch 11: Punishment and Sentencing
Week 11 3/17 Spring Break
3/19 Spring Break
3/21 Spring Break
Week 12 3/24 Ch 11
3/26 Ch 11, Ch 12: Probation and Community Corrections
3/28 Ch 12
Week 13 3/31 Ch 12
4/2 Ch 13: Prisons and Jails Written Projects Due
4/4 Ch 13
Week 14 4/7 Ch 13
4/9 Ch 14: Behind Bars: The Life of an Inmate
4/11 Ch 14
Week 15 4/14 Ch 14
4/16 Ch 15: The Juvenile Justice System
4/18 Ch 15
Week 16 4/21 Ch 15 Review
Apr 23 (Wednesday) Final Exam 8:00 – 9:50AM (Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)