CRCJ 4380 Comparative Criminal Justice
Department of Criminologyand Criminal Justice
The University of Texas at Arlington
Instructor: Seokjin Jeong / Spring Semester 2011Office: UH 305 / Classroom: UH 25
Office Hour: MondayWednesday
9:00 am – 10:30 am / Class Hour: Mon,Wed, & Fri
11:00 am – 11:50 am
Email: / Credit Hours: 3 Credit
Course Description:
This course is designed as a comparative study of criminal justice systems in the United States and other selected countries from around the world. These comparisons will include, but are not limited to: Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Middle East. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to: (i) expand knowledge and develop a better understanding of other countries and their cultures; (ii) identify and explain the differences and similarities of their own and other criminal justice systems; (iii) develop curiosity and imagination and put into question the soundness of the solutions, institutions and many other aspects of their criminal justice system; (iv) Recognize that every legal and criminal justice system is the product of different intertwining and interacting historical, socioeconomic and cultural factors; and (v) Develop the ability to use Internet resources for the purpose of acquiring relevant knowledge about different countries. Since the selected topics are interconnected each other, and each process is an important piece, I will not limit the discussion of each issue separately. Rather, it will covered by go back and forth between each process in a logical manner.
Course Prerequisites:
None.
Course Materials:
Reichel, P. L. (2008). Comparative Criminal Justice Systems: A Topical Approach, (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Course Requirements:
Grades will be determined by; (i) 2 exams; (ii) 4 unannounced quizzes; (iii) a final paper; and (iv) class participation.
There will be two exams during the semester (noted on the schedule of readings). These will be worth 100 points each, for a total of 200 points. There will be four unannounced quizzes, and these will be worth 25 points each, for a total of 100 points. There also will be one final paper worth 100 point. Paper must follow the instructions given in this syllabus. Other papers will not be accepted.
Exams:
Two exams will be given to evaluate students’ progress in this course. The exams may include multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions. All exams will cover material from lecture, discussion, and readings. More information will be given before each exam. All students are required to take exams on the dates listed in the course outline. Should an emergency arise that makes it impossible to make it to an exam, you will need to present a documented excuse, written by your academic advisor, indicating the reason for emergency. (200 points)
Quizzes:
Four unannounced quizzes covering assigned readings will be given in class throughout the semester. The purpose of these quizzes is to encourage students to keep up with course readings and attend class regularly. There is no make-up quizzes will be given for any reason. (100 points)
Class participation and attendance:
Students are expected to attend all classes and be prepared to participate in discussions. Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made in class. If you must be absent at some point during the course, it is your responsibility to provide documented excuse, written by your academic advisor, indicate the reason for your absence. You will receive 1 point for every class (excluding exams) that you attend for a total of 40 points. (40 points)
Instructions for Final Paper:
April 29th is the due date. All papers must be passed in, in class. Students are encouraged to discuss ideas for their papers with the instructor at any time. The paper must be typed, and should be about 8 to 10 pages long (This is a rough goal. Do not be obsessed by the length of your paper. The content is much more important). Organize carefully and write clearly. Whenever you quote or paraphrase, cite your sources based on APA format. This paper must be your own work, and you must honestly cite your sources. Academic honesty is an absolutely essential part of the educational and research process.
You must submit (at the least) a brief outline and proposed sources in writing by October 6th. (100 points)
Additional Notes:
Consistently coming to class late, leaving in the middle of lecture, holding private conversations, or sleeping during class are very distracting and may result in the lowering of your final grade in this course. Please follow general rules of courtesy and respect for others during discussion. Cell phones and other electronic equipment must be turned off or stowed away during class, unless permission to use such devices has been granted by the instructor.
If you need to get a hold of me, the best way to reach me is through office hour (Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am to 10:30 am).
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty is described as (i) turn in an exam, paper or project that is not your work; (ii) copy answers from another student’s exam or quiz; (iii) have another person take a test or complete assignments for you; and (iv) submit the same paper for two or more classes. Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating that involves representing someone else’s work as your own, may include (i) copying sentences or phrases from the work of another without a citation; (ii) using someone else’s original idea without citation; and (iii) failing to reference the source of data or facts.
Consequences of academic dishonesty and plagiarism can be severe. It may result in a zero grade in the course and removal from the program. If students are unclear about the Academic honesty policy, you are encouraged to consult the appropriate section in UTA resource.
Grading Schema
The following scale will be used for your grading:
Total Points (Sum) / % / Grade Point396 – 440 / 91 – 100 / A
374 – 395 / 86 – 90 / B
352 – 373 / 81 – 85 / C
330 – 351 / 76 – 80 / D
Less than 329 / < 75 / F
Course Schedule:
Date / Subject / Reading(s)1/19 / Overview
1/21 / An International Perspective I / Reichel Ch.1
1/24 / An International Perspective II / Reichel Ch.1
1/26 / An International Perspective II / Assigned Reading
1/28 / Domestic Crime, Transnational Crime, and Justice I / Reichel Ch.2
1/31 / Domestic Crime, Transnational Crime, and Justice II / Reichel Ch.2
2/2 / Domestic Crime, Transnational Crime, and Justice III / Assigned Reading
2/4 / Independent Study – No Class
2/7 / Independent Study – No Class
2/9 / An American Perspective on Criminal Law I / Reichel Ch.3
2/11 / An American Perspective on Criminal Law II / Reichel Ch.3
2/14 / An American Perspective on Criminal Law III / Assigned Reading
2/16 / Legal Traditions I / Reichel Ch.4
2/18 / Legal Traditions II / Reichel Ch.4
2/21 / Legal Traditions III / Assigned Reading
2/23 / Independent Study – No Class
2/25 / Substantive/Procedural Law in the 4 Traditions I / Reichel Ch.5
2/28 / Substantive/Procedural Law in the 4 Traditions II / Reichel Ch.5
3/2 / Review Exam I
3/4 / Exam I (Ch 1. – Ch. 5 & Assigned Readings)
3/7 / An International Perspective on Policing I / Reichel Ch.6
3/9 / An International Perspective on Policing II / Reichel Ch.6
3/11 / An International Perspective on Policing III
(Final Paper Outline Due) / Assigned Reading
3/14 / Spring Break – No Class
3/16 / Spring Break – No Class
3/18 / Spring Break – No Class
3/21 / An International Perspective on Courts I / Reichel Ch.7
3/23 / An International Perspective on Courts II / Reichel Ch.7
3/25 / An International Perspective on Courts III / Assigned Reading
3/28 / An International Perspective on Corrections I / Reichel Ch.8
3/30 / An International Perspective on Corrections II / Reichel Ch.8
4/1 / An International Perspective on Corrections III / Assigned Reading
4/3 / An International Perspective on Juvenile Justice I / Reichel Ch.9
4/6 / An International Perspective on Juvenile Justice II / Reichel Ch.9
4/8 / An International Perspective on Juvenile Justice III / Assigned Reading
4/11 / Measuring and Comparing Crime across Nations I / Assigned Reading
4/13 / Measuring and Comparing Crime across Nations II / Assigned Reading
4/15 / Independent Study – No Class (Preparing Paper)
4/18 / Independent Study – No Class (Preparing Paper)
4/20 / Examples of Effectiveness and Borrowing I / Reichel Ch.10
4/22 / Examples of Effectiveness and Borrowing II / Reichel Ch.10
4/25 / Regional and Special Issues / Assigned Reading
4/27 / Future Developments in Transnational CJ / Assigned Reading
4/29 / Presentation I (Final Paper Due)
5/2 / Presentation II
5/4 / Presentation III
5/6 / Review of Final Exam
5/11 / Final Exam – 11:00 am ~ 1:30 pm
(Ch 6. ~ Ch. 10 & Assigned Readings)