Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Missouri State University

Spring 2018

CRM 598Senior Seminar (Hybrid or blended class)

Class Meeting: Tuesday Class / 9:30-10:45 am / Strong Hall 0306

Instructor(s)Bernard J. McCarthy, Ph.D.

Address

(417) 836-6679 office

(417)576-04935 cell

Office: Strong Hall 222

Office Hours:my official office hours are listed below.

T: 10:45-11:45 am

W: 1:30-3:30 pm

Th: 1:30-3:30

(I am in nearly every day and will be happy to meet with you outside of these hours, just contact me to set up an appointment.

Prerequisite: Criminology major; and senior standing.

Course Description:

This is the capstone course for majors in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students in this courseexamineethical leadership and decision-making in criminal justice professions,explore career opportunities in criminal justice, and prepare for their transition out of the undergraduate program. Students also complete the department’sexitexam, studentexit survey, and a senior capstone paper that integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout their majorcoursework.

Introduction

This is the capstone course for Criminal Justice/Criminology majors. It is the culmination of your studies in the major and it is where you will have the opportunity to bring it all together. I use a problem based, active learning approach in my teaching and in this class we will examine ethical issues in criminal justice as starting point to analyze issues and problems in the administration of justice. The course is designed to encourage you to use and apply the knowledge you acquired in the major to critically examine and evaluate compelling issues in criminal justice.

The criminal justice system has been defined as a complex decision-making system designed to prevent and control crime in our society. In this course, we will examine the ethical issues associated with criminal justice in a democratic society and pay particular attention to the implications of these issues to leadership. Criminal justice is unique among government agencies because it is authorized to deprive citizens of their rights, liberties and life under certain conditions. Its power though is not absolute as we have found in the events in Ferguson, Missouri. On a daily basis, the criminal justice systemtests the power of the state to intervene into the lives of citizens and we will examine the many questions and issues associated with this intervention.As part of this course, we will also look at various careers, the employment prospects in the field and how to prepare for a competitive job market. Finally, we will discuss how the field of criminal justice integrates Missouri State’s Public Affairs mission.

Course Goals:

Students will be provided the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the major to real world problems and issues facing the field of crime and justice. Specific course objectives include:

  • Reviewing and reassessing foundation issues (e.g., justice, discretion, etc) and problems in criminal justice.
  • Identifying and critically reviewing continuing and emerging issues gun violence, legalization of marijuana and problems in the administration of justice (conviction of the innocent).
  • Examining the moral foundations of criminal justice and identifying how they express themselves in the operational realities of criminal justice agencies and in decision-making.
  • Identifying key leadership issues in the field.
  • Identifying and reviewing solutions to perplexing ethical issues in criminal justice.
  • Examining career tracks and identifying the most commonly experienced ethical challenges within the criminal justice system, as well asreviewing the strategies to deal with them.
  • Providing students with a range of reasoning and problem solving skills necessary to assess and respond to ethical dilemmas from both an individual and organizational perspectives.
  • Finally, the course will serve as a capstone course for majors by integrating and critically analyzing crime and justice issues.

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student will be able to: fully integrate basic criminal justice principles and practices underlying this field of study and work; access and correctly interpret contemporary criminal justice research findings; analyze, synthesize, and evaluate complex criminal justice issues especially ethical and leadership issues; and communicate at a professional level, both orally and in writing.

Considering that Senior Seminar is considered the culmination of the degree program the Learning Objective of the program will be addressed.

Student Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes for the criminology undergraduate program

•Students will demonstrate academic proficiency in the core criminal justice areas (law enforcement, law and corrections).

•Students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, using appropriate references and technologies.

•Students will be able to assess the basic quality of research in criminology and criminal justice publications and other media.

•Students will be able to evaluate ethical issues related to the criminal justice system and criminology.

•Students will identify issues of diversity and human rights in relation to the workings of the criminal justice system and criminology.

Students will employ critical thinking skills when evaluating issues in criminology and criminal justice.

Text

Justice, Crime &Ethics (9th ed.) (Braswell, McCarthy and McCarthy)

Note: Estimated royaltiesfrom the sale of this book at MSU will be donated to the Missouri State Foundation for student scholarships.

U.S.DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT REGARDING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN BY FERGUSON, MISSOURI POLICE OFFICER DARREN WILSON

U.S. Department of Justice Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department

Important University Dates:

January 16Classes begin

February 19President’s Day Holiday

March 10-18Spring Break

March 29-Ap 1Spring Holiday

May 10Last day of Class:

Special Note: As part of the university assessment policy, students in the Criminal Justice major must take an exit exam. As a result, theSenior Exit Exam is Required. You will be provided further information about the date and time of this exam.

Course Format

This course will be taught as an interactive, blended course with an emphasis on discussions – both in and out of the class, individualized research, and a semester project and career preparation tasks. Students will be responsible for reading assigned pages, completing outside investigation on particular topics and contributing to daily discussions.

Student Assessment:

Points

  1. Class Participation (10 pts per week x16 wks)160
  2. Includes 8 discussion board postings

2. 3 Reading quizzes(@ 25 each) 75

3. Policy/Ethical Analysis and Presentation200

4. Career Portfolio (resume plus career paper) 40

6. Senior Exit Exam* 25

Total Points 500

*Students must take this exit exam to pass the course.

Policy on absences and makeups: Unless unusual circumstances exist, no makeups will be permitted for anyone missing a scheduled assignment or test unless prior permission is granted. In other words contact me beforehand if you are going to miss a due date for an assignment or exam.

Grading Scale

A=(90-100%) of total points

B=(80-89%)

C=(70-79%)

D=(60-69%)

F=(below 60%)

All assignments should be submitted under the appropriate tab in blackboard.

Breakdown on Assessment

  1. Class Participation:
  2. Attendance and completion of in class and web assignments. In addition, you will have 8 web assignments to be posted on the Discussion Board.
  3. Career Portfolio:
  4. Resume/Vita 1-2 pages.Due January 30. Up to 5 points will be deducted if not submitted by that date.
  5. ow to HHFinding a job in your selected field and selecting and assessing a career path. This assignment is due February 20. Up to 5 points will be deducted if not submitted by that date.
  6. 3quizzesbased on readingsand discussion.
  7. Quiz 1 February 13 (Chapters 1-7)
  8. Quiz 2 April 3 (Chapters 8- 14)
  9. Quiz 3 May 1 (Chapters 14-22)

4. Senior Exit Exam: Finals Week

5. Research/Policy Analysis Paperon ethics(10-15pages). Topics must be chosenby February 20.

Completed Paper due April 24 and be prepared to present or post on blackboard a summary presentation using a maximum of 5 slides on that date.

For each of the due dates, up to 5 points will be deducted on each assignment not submitted by the dates identified.

Please note all assignments submitted should be double spaced and you should use a 12 pt font.

Outline for Paper:

  • Introduction: Identify a justice related policy issuethat involves significant ethical issues occurring in 2017/18 that interests you. Identify and define the underlying criminal justice issue (policy issues) and why you picked the topic.

For example, should bail be eliminated for misdemeanor offenders charged with nonviolent offenses.

  • Literature Review: Identify and describe the depth and breadth of the issue using library resources (just don’t google). A minimum of 10 references in professional and academic journals are due. Newspaper and magazine articles may be used but not counted as one of the 10 required references. Students who wish to earn a high grade on this assignment should have 20 + references.
  • Description of agency or organization most involved with the topic
  • Describe role of the agency in the criminal justice system and identify the powers/authority of the agency.
  • Identify and describe discretionary authority of the agency
  • Describe the problem/issue you are investigating (Problem Statement)
  • What are the primary causes of the problem/issue? Also briefly describe the history of the issue.
  • What solutions or options are available?
  • What option or solution is the preferred choice and why?
  • Ethics Issue: Identify the ethical issues associated with the problem.
  • What guidance is available to assist with making ethical decisions? Codes of Conduct?
  • Based upon your review, what is your assessment that this issue can be resolved? Explain your answer.

Prior to the submission of the paper students should schedule and appointment and submit a draft to the writing center on campus for review. This should be accomplished by April 10, 2018. Your final draft will be submitted to me through the Safe Assign, the anti-plagiarism portal on blackboard.

Please note you MAY NOT submit a paper previously written and or submitted for another class.

Note: All students enrolled in the Senior Seminar must take the Criminal Justice/Criminology Exit Exam. The University’s accrediting agency (The Higher Learning Commission) requires it. This exam will be graded pass/ fail. However, you will receive 25 points for taking the exam. This exam is normally given during the final exam period.

Other Issues:

The use by students of cell phones, Ipads, laptops, pagers, or similar communication devices including musical devices or radios during scheduled classes is not permitted unless otherwise instructed.

Students who repeatedly arrive late to class or leave early will have their class attendance grade penalized.

I intend to encourage class discussion on controversial issues during this class, such as gun control vs gun rights and the death penalty. You are expected to conduct yourself in a civil and professional manner.

Statement of nondiscrimination:

Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns

(i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head.

Statement on Disability Accommodations:

To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787,

If you are a student with a disability and anticipate barriers related to this course, it is important to request accommodations and establish an accommodation plan with the University. Please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) ( Meyer Library, Suite 111, 417-836-4192, to initiate the process to establish your accommodation plan. The DRC will work with you to establish your accommodation plan, or it may refer you to other appropriate resources based on the nature of your disability. In order to prepare an accommodation plan, the University usually requires that students provide documentation relating to their disability. Please be prepared to provide such documentation if requested. Once a University accommodation plan is established, you may notify the class instructor of approved accommodations. If you wish to utilize your accommodation plan, it is suggested that you do so in a timely manner, preferably within the first two weeks of class. Early notification to the instructor allows for full benefit of the accommodations identified in the plan. Instructors will not receive the accommodation plan until you provide that plan, and are not required to apply accommodations retroactively.

Academic dishonesty policy:

Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Students who violate standards of academic honesty will fail the course.

Emergency Management Issues:

Students should familiarize themselves with the emergency management policies of the university. You should know the evacuation procedures of each of the buildings you use on campus as well as emergency response protocols. I strongly suggest you sign up for the emergency notification tools the university use. If you have any questions in this matter please let me know.

Emergency Storm Shelter and Evacuation Information:
In the event of an emergency or incident in the classroom, the faculty member is often the first university representative or authority figure recognized to be in charge until emergency first responders arrive. At the first class meeting, students should become familiar with a basic emergency response plan through a dialogue with the instructor that includes a review and awareness of exits specific to the classroom and the location of evacuation centers for the building. For your convenience, this information has been provided by the Office of the Provost and Safety and Transportation and appears below. Students with disabilities impacting mobility should discuss with their instructor the approved accommodations for emergency situations and additional options. Faculty must include information related to emergency response in their syllabi (see For more information contact Safety and Transportation (417-836-5509) or consult the Emergency Quick Reference Guide and Campus Emergency Response Plan. /

Finally, the instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus based upon changing conditions.