/ Marshall University

Department of Criminal Justice

Tue 6:30 to 9:00pm
CJ 200: Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems
Fall 2008 /

CJ 200: Introduction to Criminal Justice None Fall 2008 3.0 Tue 6:30 to 9:00pmSmith Hall 418

Course Number & TitlePrerequisite Semester/Year CreditsClass Hours Classroom

Dr. Gordon A. Crews, Associate Professor Phone: 304.696.3083 (Voice Mail)Office:Smith Hall 740D

Email: Web Page:

Office Hours & Days: MWF: 10:00 to 12:00pmT/TH:2:00 to 3:00pm

REQUIRED TEXT:

Adler, f., Laufer, W., & Mueller, G. (2008). Criminal Justice: An Introduction. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Humanities Social.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This survey course examines the various components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students will be introduced to various criminal justice agencies and career possibilities.

COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS: A student must have a computer or access to one, as well as access to the Internet to send and receive email messages. If you are using an email account other than your Marshall Email account, you must set your Marshall Email account to forward to your other account.

DESIRED LEARNER OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: Our main goal is to understand how the criminal justice system is actually many subsystems working toward a common goal. Each of these subsystems (law enforcement, courts, and corrections) must work in cooperation with each other in order to make sure justice is obtained and society is safe. In order to achieve our main goal, we will:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the myriad issues involved in the U.S. Criminal Justice “System” ;
  2. describe the system within the overall context of society and its institutions, customs, and agencies;
  3. explain the relationships among the three traditional components of the system (law enforcement, courts, and corrections) and how each of these three relate to other societal institutions, customs, and agencies;
  4. demonstrate an awareness of “problematic” aspects of the system and its components, as well as the ways such problems have been, currently are, or could be remedied;
  5. provide an overview of law making (origin of law, authority, purpose);
  6. provide an overview of law breaking (criminalization of behaviors, prevention efforts through law enforcement); and
  7. provide an overview of reactions to law breaking (punishment, corrections).
  8. provide a detail overview of the U.S. Criminal Justice System and its’ interactions with special populations

GRADING SCALE:A = 90 – 100B = 80 – 89C = 70 – 79D = 60 – 69F = 59 and below

EVALUATION OF LEARNER OBJECTIVES/COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Grades will be based on the following requirements):

Requirement / Points / Your Score / Due Date
Mid Term / 250 / October 14, 2008
In Class Exercises/Pop Quizzes / 250 / As assigned
Student Lecture / 250 / Begin November 18, 2008
Final Exam / 250 / December 16, 2008 @ 6:30pm
Total Possible Points / 1000
  • Mid Term (250 points): A Mid Term will be given during regular class time on October 14, 2008. This exam will consist of questions developed from lectures given from the first day of class through the Mid Term (generally short essays).
  • In Class Exercises/Pop Quizzes (250 points): At the professor’s discretion, various in class exercises and/or pop quizzes will be given throughout the term. These will be based upon the current lecture topics at hand when they are offered. Dates, format, and possible points assigned will be determined by the professor at the time they are given. These items are not meant to penalize students and should be seen as additional opportunities to explore the subject matter and gain knowledge. Only students who are present at the time an item is offered will be allowed to participate(there will be no make ups unless a valid documented excuse is presented and accepted by the professor). The only preparation that a student will need to be successful in completing these assignments is to stay current with the assigned readings, come to class, and participate fully in the class discussions.
  • Student Lecture (250 points): Starting November 18, 2008, Student Lectures will occur on various assigned topics. Each student will give a "lecture" on different topics (topics and due dates will all be randomly selected on the first day of class!). [SEE ATTACHED FOR MORE INFORMATION]
  • Final (250 points): A final will be given on December 16, 2008from 6:30 am until 9:00pm. This exam will consist of questions developed from lectures and student lectures given since the Mid Term. This exam is not expected to be cumulative unless a student did not take the Mid Term exam.

1

COURSE OUTLINE: The below outline is subject to change to meet the needs of the class.

Course Schedule
Date / Topic / Chapters / Comments
Tuesday (August 26) /
  • Introduction to Course
  • Syllabi Overview
  • Topics Assigned/Due Dates Assigned
  • The US CJ System
/ Chapter 1. Criminal Justice: Introduction and Overview / CJ Basic Knowledge Test
Tuesday (September 2) / The US CJ System / Chapter 1. Criminal Justice: Introduction and Overview
Tuesday (September 9) / Criminal Law / Chapter 2. Crime and Criminals
Chapter 3. The Criminal Law
Tuesday (September 16) / Police / Chapter 4. History and Organization of the Police
Chapter 5. Police Functions
Tuesday (September 23) / Police / Chapter 6. The Police Culture
Chapter 7. The Rule of Law in Law Enforcement
Tuesday (September 30) / In Class Exercise / Readings Provided / Provided by Instructor
Tuesday (October 7) / In Class Exercise / Readings Provided / Provided by Instructor
Tuesday (October 14) / MID TERM
Tuesday (October 21) / The Courts / Chapter 8. The Origin and Role of the Courts
Chapter 9. Lawyers and Judges
Tuesday (October 28) / The Courts / Chapter 10. Criminal Prosecution and Adjudication
Chapter 11. Sentencing
Tuesday (November 4) / Corrections / Chapter 12. Corrections: Yesterday and Today
Chapter 13. Institutional Corrections
Tuesday (November 11) / Juveniles / Chapter 14. Alternatives: Community Corrections
Chapter 15. Justice for Juveniles
Tuesday (November 18) / Student Presentations
Tuesday (November 25) / Fall Break / No Class
Tuesday (December 2) / Student Presentations
Tuesday (December 9) / Review for Final
Tuesday (December 16) / Final / 6:30 to 9:00pm

Student Lecture (250 Points)

Students are expected to give a 15-20 minute “Lecture/Presentation” (an overview of their assigned topic) in ANY FASHION they wish, but it must consist of the following at a minimum:

MAKE IT INTERESTING, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, BUT DO NOT GET ME FIRED OR PUT IN JAIL!

  • 15-20 minute timeframe for you to use, but include time for class discussion!
  • Use visuals (I will help you make anything you need!)
  • Think outside the box, do not be boring!
  • Do not just hit basics, go beyond!
  • DO NOT READ ANYTHING TO CLASS, well, a little bit maybe!
  • Hit your topic from a myriad of angles and sources!
  • TURN IN list of sources used with complete APA reference!
  • *** Extra credit WILL be given to those who go above or beyond the call of duty!
  • SIDE NOTE, I want to see questions and participation from the "audience"!

Students not showing up for their presentation on the assigned date will receive a zero (0) for this assignment (see make-up policy). If the assigned date is not possible for any student, the student mustfind another person to change dates with and Dr. Crews must be notified immediately of any changes.

Crews’ NineAcademic Rules of the Earth

  1. Classroom Conduct:
  • As a general rule, I, 1) show up for class, 2) arrive on time, 3) am semi-prepared, 4) sober/conscious, and 5) interested in the topic of the day ~ I expect the same of you!!!!
  • All cell phones must be turned off and put away (out of view) at the commencement of class, with the exception of emergency service personnel. Cell phones are disruptive not only to me, but your fellow students, so please be courteous. You will receive only one warning if your cell phone goes off in class, or if I catch you playing with it during class.
  • You may NOT eat during class. This means food of any kind (chips, sandwiches, candy, etc.). However, drinks are permitted (non-alcoholic of course). Also, you should not be working on anything not related to this class once class commences (this includes reading, copying other’s notes, knitting, playing games on your cell phone, etc.).
  • Do NOT leave the classroom once class has started, unless it is an absolute emergency or you have notified me before class that you will be leaving. You should use the restroom, get a drink of water, and make a phone call, etc. before class starts.
  • Do NOT bring weapons into the class. If you are a law enforcement officer and required to be armed, please let me know.
  • You are not allowed to smoke within the building, and I will not permit smokeless tobacco in my classroom.
  1. Student Participation:
  • Don’t hesitate to ask questions, the dumbest question is the one not asked! If you ask a question I can’t answer, I’ll find out the answer and get back to you. Please remember that as a teacher, I am merely your guide through the field, I am not the field itself! (Although, my wife would say I think I AM!).
  • During discussions please respect different viewpoints; there is always more than one side. Treat others’ views as you would want your own to be treated, with an open mind. Personal attacks on others will not be tolerated!
  • I like to run my classes as an open forum where we can all learn from each other, so I encourage intelligent discussions, questions, and comments, but at the same time we have to remember that we are at a university setting and must act accordingly.
  1. Professor and Student Responsibilities:
  • I realize that every now and then, unexpected and difficult situations arise. However, when you enrolled in this class, you made a commitment to me, to yourself, and to your fellow classmates. I expect you to fulfill that commitment to the best of your ability. If you are unable to fulfill my expectation, I am really not interested in your reasons. That does not mean that I am cold and heartless, just that I have established standards for my classes that I know work from many years of experience.
  • Experience has shown that it is impossible for students who miss class to pass this course. However, the reverse is also true. Those students who do not miss class and who submit work on time generally score quite high. This course is one that builds from meeting to meeting and one concept to another and requires that previously covered material be understood before one can reasonably expect to move to the next. Attendance is therefore expected. Attendance will be taken at various points during the term. Students who are not present when attendance is taken will not be credited with attending class on that day.
  1. Make up Policy:
  • There will be no excused absences on exam days and no assignments can be made up! Any paper/project/in class work not turned in/completed on the date and time specified in the syllabus will receive a zero. Only documented medical emergencies will be considered as reasonable excuses for allowing a paper/project to be turned in late, an exam made up, or a presentation delayed, all others will be given a zero. Due dates are set in the course schedule for turning in projects and for giving presentations ~ due to the nature of these requirements, they cannot be made up.
  1. Extra Credit:
  • At various points during the semester the instructor MAY offer opportunities for students to gain extra credit points. These are generally onetime events which reward students who take advantage of opportunities to attend out of class presentations or complete assignments in class. These can NEVER be made up; there is ample opportunity in this class for each student to obtain more than enough points to achieve an “A” ~ therefore, opportunities are a PRIVILAGE not a RIGHT and at the instructor’s discretion.
  1. Office Hours:
  • I encourage all my students to make use of my office hours, they are there for you. If you can’t make it at the scheduled times, let me know and we can arrange to meet at another time. However, this invitation is only for those students who come to class on a regular basis and put forth a genuine effort to learn. Also, please keep in mind that I have a life too (albeit, dark and demented), and while my office hours are mandatory, my other time is not, so my flexibility can only extend so far.
  1. Course Materials:
  • A syllabus with a detailed schedule is provided for each course, the instructor will do their utmost to follow the syllabus and it is expected that the student will as well. All due dates are listed and will be enforced (do not ask for them to be altered for any reason). Most lectures will be on PowerPoint. These presentations will generally occur one time in the course while the material is being discussed in class. I may post online lecture shells for you to use.)
  1. Cheating, Plagiarism, and General Academic Dishonesty:
  • Don’t cheat or plagiarize! Academic dishonesty is something I take very seriously and will not tolerate. Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing will automatically receive a failing grade for the course and will be referred to the dean for appropriate disciplinary action. Plagiarism from the internet has become a very serious problem and professors now have access to various software programs to identify this behavior, so at this point in your academic career, don’t risk it!
  1. University Policies/Instructor Prerogative:
  • Any items or events not covered in this syllabus will be handled according to established university policies and/or instructor’s prerogative.

Brief Faculty Member Biographical Sketch

Dr. Gordon A. Crews is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Marshall University. Prior to this position, he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Since 1990, Dr. Crews has served as a faculty member and/or academic administrator at Cameron University(OK), Roger Williams University (RI), Jacksonville State University (AL), Valdosta State University (GA), and the University of South Carolina Beaufort (SC).

He earned a Ph.D. in Education/Criminal Justice, a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol & Drug Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and Masters of Criminal Justice, from the University of South Carolina (SC). He served as Executive Counselor for the Juvenile Justice Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and as former President and member of the Board of Directors for the Southern Criminal Justice Association.

Prior to teaching, Dr. Crews worked in law enforcement as a bloodhound officer & trainer, field-training officer, and criminal investigator; in corrections as a training and accreditation manager; and in insurance fraud as an investigator. His publications include journal articles dealing with school violence, Occult/Satanic involvement and youth, and various law enforcement and correctional issues.

His books include Faces of Violence in America (1996), published by Simon & Schuster; The Evolution of School Disturbance in America: Colonial Times to Modern Day (1997), published by Praeger; A History of Correctional Violence: An Examination of Reported Causes of Riots and Disturbances (1998), published by the American Correctional Association; Chasing Shadows: Confronting Juvenile Violence in America (2001), published by Prentice Hall; Living in Prison: A History of the Correctional System with an Insider’s View (2004), published by Greenwood Publishers; and, In the Margins: Special Populations and American Justice (2008), published by Prentice Hall. His most recent book is entitled, Juvenile Delinquency and Violence: Examining International Police and Societal Response (2009), published by CRC/Taylor and Francis. Dr. Crews' current research interests focus on an international comparison of police and societal response to individuals involved in alternative belief practices (e.g., Satanism, Wicca, Goth, etc.).

Since 2000, he has conducted extensive field research in these areas across the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, Netherlands, Central Europe, Scandinavia, and most recently in Turkey and Ghana, Africa.

Possible Student Lecture Topics for CJ 200: Introduction to Criminal Justice

  1. Are asset forfeiture laws which seize the fruits and instrumentalities of crime for drug-related offenses unfair?
  2. Are naïve third parties true accomplices to receiving stolen property?
  3. Are police interrogation tactics in need of reform, and should all custodial questioning of criminal suspects be videotaped?
  4. Are Stalking laws effective?
  5. Are tax-supported nativity scenes in city parks a violation of church and state?
  6. Are Zero tolerance policies effective?
  7. Career Criminals
  8. Dark Figure of Crime
  9. Does Law Enforcement's Increasing Use of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places Pose a Threat to the Constitutional Right to Privacy?
  10. Does the Building of a National DNA Databank in the United States Pose Threats to Such Civil Liberties as the Right to Privacy?
  11. Does the Death Penalty Violate International Law and Human Rights?
  12. Does the United States Need a National Anti-Hate Crime Law?
  13. Due Process versus Crime Control
  14. Female Crime
  15. Have Police Brutality and Excessive Force Become Severe Problems In Need of Special Solutions?
  16. Home Incarceration with Electronic Monitoring
  17. If a pregnant woman dies and the first trimester baby inside can be incubated to term, but the father wishes the fetus to be buried with the mother, what should authorities do?
  18. Is pornography and rape connected?
  19. Is poverty or "rotten social background" ever a defense, excuse, justification, or mitigation for crime?
  20. Is Privatization an Appropriate Strategy to Reform America's Ailing Prison System?
  21. Law Enforcement Shooting and liability
  22. Modern Organized Crime
  23. Name an outdated law, and explain why it needs to be discarded.
  24. Plea Bargaining
  25. Police Brutality
  26. Police Corruption
  27. Police Stings and Entrapment
  28. Public Opinion of Crime
  29. Public Perception of Criminal Justice
  30. Race and Drugs
  31. Sentencing Disparity
  32. Should "Miranda Rights" Be Abolished?
  33. Should "Three Strikes and you're Out" Laws Passed by Many States to Enhance Prison Terms for Repeat Offenders Be Abolished?
  34. Should certain religious beliefs be an excuse or justification for crime?
  35. Should children be allowed to sue their parents, say for bad parenting?
  36. Should Children Charged with Serious Crimes Be Tried as Adults?
  37. Should Government Strategies to Combat Disease, Particularly HIV Infection, Include Programs that Allow Addicts to Exchange Dirty Needles for Clean Ones?
  38. Should Laws That Prohibit Physicians from Assisting Terminally Ill Patients to End Their Lives Be Abolished?
  39. Should peremptory challenges be eliminated in criminal trials as a way of ensuring that race is not used as a criterion in the selection of jurors?
  40. Should Persons Who Are Convicted of a Felony Be Barred Permanently from Voting?
  41. Should Prostitution Be Decriminalized?
  42. Should prostitution be legalized?
  43. Should so-called "three-strikes" laws be repealed?
  44. Should the Insanity Defense Be Abolished?
  45. Should the Juvenile Justice System get tougher on juveniles?
  46. Should the Production, Sale and Use of Marijuana Be Decriminalized for Medicinal Purposes?
  47. Should there be separate schools for students of different racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation?
  48. Should we abolish the juvenile justice system?
  49. Should Women Who Abuse Drugs or Alcohol While Pregnant Be Prosecuted for Child Abuse or Endangerment?
  50. State of Prison Overcrowding in the US
  51. Status Offenders
  52. Suppose a rehabilitation program along spiritual lines like Alcoholics Anonymous was adopted for use across the board as America’s drug treatment program. Is this the things to do, or should a secular, more professional program be used?
  53. The Crime Clock
  54. The Death Penalty
  55. The Defense of Insanity
  56. Victimless Crimes
  57. War on Drugs
  58. War on Terror
  59. What age is too young to have sex or get married with an older partner?
  60. What causes the problem of unfounded rape allegations in our society?
  61. What criminal rights should suspected terrorists have?
  62. What property and privacy rights should students have on school campuses in their dorm rooms?
  63. Why can be done about eyewitness errors that sentence the innocent to prison?

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