CJ

1010
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Fall 2017 Syllabus
Instructor: Eric A. Heiser, Ph.D.
Phone: 801-957-5009
Email: eric.heiser@slcc.edu
Mail Box Location: CT 262 (Redwood Campus-Construction Trades Building)

Academic Advisor: Julia Ellis
Phone: 801-957-5320
Email: Julia.ellis@slcc.edu

Campus/Class Room Location:
This course is delivered fully online. As such, there are no pre-defined meeting days or classroom space.
Your BruinMail account is the primary way for us to communicate. I will send ALL course messages via
Canvas to your BruinMail account. Please either check your BruinMail account (daily) or set up your
BruinMail to Forward the messages to an account you check often.
Fall 2016 Holidays:
Labor Day Sept. 4 NO ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Fall Break-Oct. 19-21 NO ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Thanksgiving Vacation-Nov 23-25 NO ASSIGNMENTS DUE

Prerequisites: NONE

Course Description:

This course covers the purpose, function and history of the agencies in the American Criminal Justice System
which consists of three major components; Law Enforcement (Police), Courts and Corrections. The course
exposes students to theories, concepts and methods used to facilitate understanding, predicting and
responding to issues of deviance and crime in America. Also includes development and evolution of
components of American Criminal Justice System, including the history of racial, ethnic and gender
discrimination on charging, conviction, incarceration and employment.

Course Objectives:

Students passing the course shall be able to read, analyze, discuss and write intelligently about the purpose,
function and history of the agencies in the American Criminal Justice System.


Teaching Method:

Online study- using the Internet as the instructional delivery source, reading assigned chapters of the
textbooks or information from Internet sites. Students will participate and complete the course work by:
completing all modules, quizzes, writing assignments, term papers and discussions (responding, giving
opinions and discussing key concepts with others through chapter discussions). The course is divided into
three sections approximately 4 weeks in length. The course subject matter is broken down by the textbook
authors into five parts each representing a study of a particular area of the criminal justice system. Learning
tasks within each module direct the learning and contain assignments. All learning tasks and assignments
must be completed and submitted by the due dates in order to receive full credit.

Textbook:

The course textbooks can be ordered electronically from the Salt Lake Community College Bookstore or from
other electronic resellers such as Ecampus.com, Amazon, Pearson Custom or Barnes and Noble.

Course Quizzes and Discussions:

o Criminal Justice in Action, 7th Edition, 2011 by Larry K. Gaines and Roger L. Miller: Wadsworth
Cengage.
ISBN-13: 978-1-111-83557-6 or ISBN-13: 978-1-285-13013-2 or ISBN-13: 978-1-285-
91679-8

Assignments, Exams, and Evaluation (Due dates found on the last page of the syllabus):

It should be noted that while the principle goal of this course is the acquisition of knowledge about the
criminal justice system of the United States, students are expected to be able to convey this knowledge by
means of clear and effective writing.

Unit Test- 4 Unit Tests covering material in the Criminal Justice in Action, 7th Edition by Gaines & Miller
textbook. Each test will cover 3-4 chapters and will be timed.

Discussions- Discussions are essential to passing this course because they require the students opinion on the
topic as well as feedback to other students. This course is designed to be conducive to the sharing of opinions
and ideas. Discussion grades for this course total MORE than the exam grades; therefore, it is crucial that
you are responding to each discussion by the due date.

Writing Assignment & Term Paper- Students will complete a Critical Thinking Writing Assignment and a Term
Paper for all CJ 1010 courses. The Term Paper may be used for the required General Education
ePortfolio assignment, so long as it is uploaded to Canvas and posted on the ePortfolio site.
While grading will be in accordance with the grading guidelines set forth in the Salt Lake Community College
Catalog, the following rubric will assist you in the evaluation of your progress:

Percent Grade Percent Grade

93+ A 70 72 C

88 92 A- 67 69 C-

85 87 B+ 65 66 D

80 84 B < 64 E

76 79 B- Incomplete I

73 75 C+

A= Excellent performance. Work is exemplary and worthy of emulation by others. Student is in full attendance
and constructively contributes to the learning environment.

B= Above average performance. All assignments are complete and exhibit a complete understanding and an
ability to apply concepts.

C= Average performance. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements. Oral and written communication is
at an acceptable level for a graduate student.

D= Demonstrates understanding at the most rudimentary level. Work is minimally passing.

E= Quality of work is unacceptable. Work is not passing, characterized by incompleteness, lateness,

unsatisfactory demonstration of understanding and application. And/or attendance record is unacceptable.

Writing Assignment and Term Paper:

A Critical Thinking Writing Assignment will be required for this course. Research both sides of a current,
controversial issue related to criminal justice (i.e., Hate Crime Laws, Gun Rights vs. Gun Control, The Death
Penalty, etc.). Write a 3 page essay expressing your evaluation of the issue and support your opinion by
answering the following questions:

What are the sources of information you used to evaluate the topic? What does your common sense,
intuition, experience and education tell you about this information? What sources can be believed? Where are
the best sources of information? Can the information be verified? What information should be
discarded? What assumptions have you made (outside of the research information evaluated)? Are those
assumptions valid? Do you need to investigate more facts and data? Does the conclusion you came to make
sense? Does the information researched and your assumptions support the conclusion? If so, why? If not, why
not? Did you ask the right questions? Did you ask enough questions? Was there more than one possible
conclusion? If so, did you pick the right one from the facts and data?
A Term Paper will be required for this course. The paper will allow you the opportunity to research a
particular aspect of the Criminal Justice System. Please choose a topic related to the Criminal Justice System
that interests you. This could involve controversial issues in law enforcement, the impact of technology on law
enforcement, constitutional issues, specific statutes or laws, or even a case study. However, you must
incorporate concepts discussed in the textbook into the paper. You should use multiple sources from
academic journals and/or books. Limit your research away from web-based research sites (unless accessing a
scholarly journal) and weekly periodicals such as Time and Newsweek.

The most important part of the assignment is content. However, you are expected to use clear and concise
English on all written assignments. Grades will be affected by poor use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
The paper must be 5-7 pages (not including cover sheet and bibliography), double-spaced, Times-New
Roman, 12 pt. font. Provide proper references (bibliography and citations/footnotes). Use APA, MLA, or any
SLCC approved format when documenting references.

Plagiarism is the use of another writers ideas or words without crediting that person for them. This
unacknowledged use may be from published books, articles, online sources or from another students work. If a
student presents another persons as his/her own, the student shall be given a failing grade for that
assignment. This may eventually cause the student to fail the entire course. Have confidence in yourself and
your own work. We are in this endeavor together as a team. If you put forth the effort youll do fine.

General Education ePortfolio:

SLCC students will maintain a General Education ePortfolio. Instructors in every Gen Ed course will ask you to
put at least one assignment from the course into your ePortfolio and accompany it with reflective writing. It is
a requirement in this class for you to add to your ePortfolio and this syllabus details the assignment and
reflection you are to include. Your ePortfolio will allow you to include your educational goals, describe your
extracurricular activities and post your resume. When you finish your time at SLCC, your ePortfolio will then be
a multi-media showcase of your educational experience. For more detailed information
visit http://www.slcc.edu/gened/eportfolio, or http://eportresource.weebly.com.

After you have picked an ePortfolio platform, go to the corresponding help site to watch the tutorials and look
at the examples so you can get started on your own http://slcceportfolio.weebly.com,
http://slcceportfolio.wix.com/slcceportfolio, http://slcchelpsite.jimdo.com,
https://slccwordpresshelpsite.wordpress.com, or https://sites.google.com/site/slcchelpsite/

If you would like to start your ePortfolio in a computer lab with a person there to help you, please visit an
ePortfolio Lab at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, South City Campus, or Jordan Campus during business
hours, and staff will help you without an appointment. For lab hours, and locations please see the following
site: http://eportresource.weebly.com/lab-information.html.

Finally, questions regarding the ePortfolio can be directed to Emily.Dibble@slcc.edu.

Dropping/ Withdrawing:
You must follow the proper procedure to drop or withdraw from the class. Failure to do so may result in a
failing grade and will affect your GPA. Failing or withdrawing from a class may affect your eligibility for
financial aid in the future.

Resources:

eEducation Toll Free Number: 1-888-963-7522

eEducation Service Center: 1-801-957-4406

Technical Assistance: 1-877-725-5555

Special Facilities:

The Learning Center at the Redwood Campus, TB 213 (801) 957-4172 offers learning assistance programs to
help students be more successful in the classroom. There is also a Learning Center located at the South City
Campus, N308 (801) 957-3261. The Writing Center at the Redwood Campus, AD 222 (801) 957-4253 offers
students a place to talk about their writing or reading projects with a writing advisor. The Markosian Library at
the Redwood Campus (801) 957-4195 is a full-service college library with about 70,000 books and 600
periodical tables. There is a student computer lab and internet access. The Media Center at the South City
Campus, E106 (801) 957-3321 can also assist students.

Title IX
20 U.S.C.A. Section 1681 (a): TITLE IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be
denied benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity
receiving federal funds.
Examples of violations (but not limited to):
} Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and sexually motivated physical conduct
} Overt or subtle pressure for sexual activity
} Sexually offensive verbalization including remarks, teasing, slurs, and innuendo
} Repeated inappropriate jokes or comments about sex or gender specific traits
} Conduct that is demeaning or derisive and occurs substantially because of ones gender
} Sexual assault
} Sexual Violence
} Gender based disparate treatment
Violations can occur in any college environment, such as (but not limited to):

} Field Trips } Classrooms
} Student Clubs } Athletics
} Transportation } On Campus Events

If you have questions or concerns regarding your rights or responsibilities, or if you would like to file a
Title IX complaint please contact:
Students: Ken Stonebrook, Interim Dean of Students, 801-957-4776, STC 276 A (Redwood)
Employees or Community members: Ken Stonebrook, Title IX & Discrimination Manager & Interim
Dean of Students
Online Reporting Form: http://www.slcc.edu/eeo/title-ix/complaint.aspx
Salt Lake Community College has a strong prohibition against RETALIATION! The college does not
tolerate acts of retaliation against anyone for engaging in filing a complaint or participating in an
investigation.

Student code of conduct:

The student is expected to follow the SLCC Student Code of Conduct found
at http://www.slcc.edu/policies/docs/Student_Code_of_Conduct.pdf.

ADA/ Disability Resources:

Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring accommodations or services under
ADA should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC determines eligibility for and authorizes the
provision of these accommodations and services for the college. Please contact the DRC at the Student Center,
Suite 244, Redwood Campus, 4600 So. Redwood Rd, 84123. Phone: (801) 957-4659, TTY: 957-4646, Fax: 957-
4947 or by drc@slcc.edu.

Please be advised the syllabus and schedule is subject to change if needed during the semester.
 Course Schedule
CJ 1010
Fall 2017
Assignments Due Date
Introduction Discussion Initial post due Friday, 8/25. Response due Sunday,
8/27
Week One Discussion Initial post due Wednesday 8/30. Response due Sunday,
9/3
Week Two Discussion Initial post due Wednesday, 9/6. Response due Sunday,
9/10
Week Three Discussion, Term Paper Proposal Initial post due by Wednesday, 9/13. Response due
Sunday, 9/17. Term paper proposal due 9/17 by
11:55pm via email to instructor.
Week Four Discussion, Unit One (Chapters 1-4) Test Initial post due by Wednesday, 9/20. Response due by
Sunday, 9/24. Unit one test must be completed by
11:55pm on Sunday, 9/24.
Week Five Discussion, Critical Thinking Paper Initial post due by Wednesday, 9/27. Response due by
Sunday, 10/1. Critical Thinking paper due by 11:55pm
on Sunday, 10/1. Upload paper to drop box.
Week Six Discussion Initial post due by Wednesday, 10/4. Response due by
Sunday, 10/8.
Week Seven Discussion Initial Responses due by Wednesday, 10/11. Response
due by Sunday, 10/15.
Week Eight Discussion, Making a Murderer SHORT WEEK DUE TO FALL BREAK, Initial
Documentary post due by Tuesday, 10/17. Response due by
Wednesday, 10/18.
Week Nine Discussion, Unit Two Test Initial post due by Wednesday, 10/25. Response due by
Sunday, 10/29. Unit One Exam due no later than
11:59pm on Sunday, 10/29.
Week 10 Discussion Initial post due by Wednesday, 11/1. Response due by
Sunday, 11/5.
Week 11 Discussion Initial post due by Wednesday, 11/8. Response due by
Sunday, 11/12.
Week 12 Discussion, Unit Three Test Initial post due by Wednesday, 11/15. Response due by
Sunday, 11/19. Unit Three test due by 11:59pm on
Sunday, 11/19.
Week 13NO ASSIGNMENTS HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Week 14 Discussion Initial post due by Wednesday, 11/29. Response due by
Sunday, 12/3.
Week 15 Discussion, Term Paper DUE Initial post due by Wednesday, 12/6. Response due by
Sunday, 12/10. Term Paper due no later than 11:59pm
on Sunday, 12/10.
Week 16-FINAL EXAM Final Exam due by THURSDAY, 12/14 at 11:59pm.