CRIMINAL JUSTICE

COURSE SYLLABUS
Mr. Bray
Dinuba High School
Course Title: Criminal Justice
School Year: 2017-2018
Mark.Bray@dinuba.k12.ca.us
559-960-2013
COURSE DESCRIPTION

Criminal Justice is an introduction to the inner workings of the three significant criminal justice
functions in the United Sates, Law Enforcement, Courts and Corrections. The course will give
the students and overview of policing in America, the historical development of policing
internationally and locally and the implementation of community based policing and criminal
investigations. The course will also focus on the realities of enforcement and the apprehension of
criminals at the federal, state and local level. The course will also discuss and explain the
prosecution, disposition and incarceration of those suspected of committing criminal offenses.

During the year, an emphasis will be placed on developing reading, writing and interpersonal
communication skills, critical thinking, logical reasoning and problem solving skills. The ability
of the students to deal with stress and interact with people in various settings will be emphasized
as well. Students will learn the value of honesty and integrity as it relates to working in law
enforcement.

During the year, students will interact with members of law enforcement, corrections and the
court system and they will be able to learn from their experiences. We will also use video, audio
and slide presentations to expose the students to the realities of the law enforcement profession.
SYLLABUS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE: AN INTRODUCTION DINUBA HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE GOALS:

 Explain the three major concepts of the criminal justice system in the
United States: Law Enforcement, Judicial System & Corrections.
 Understand the workings of the justice system in America
 Acquire and understand basic law enforcement techniques
 Improve basic reading, writing and interpersonal communication skills
 Develop critical thinking, logical reasoning and problem solving skills
 Learn and understand basic report writing techniques
 Learn and comprehend basic radio procedures and codes
 Study and interpret basic laws and codes,(Penal Code, Vehicle Code,etc)
 Exposure to careers in the criminal justice system through presentations by
criminal justice professionals
 Take class trips to the County Jail and local law enforcement locations
 Study International Criminal Justice Systems
 Identify trends and current law enforcement issues through television
media, social media and print media.

CLASS ROOM CONDUCT:

 When arriving to class, pick up your text book and your notebook and your
assignment will be on the board.
 When reading in class, I expect all to be quiet, focused and courteous. If
you finish your reading assignment before your peers, do not disturb them.
Read ahead or enter notes into your note books. I expect your best
behavior at all times. In law enforcement it is expected.
 Keep your appendages, (hands and feet) to yourself at all times.
 Listen to my instructions the first time I give them to you. In law
enforcement time management and attention to detail are important.
 NO PROFANITY……….PERIOD
 Have all study materials ready when the bell rings.
 No cell phones, IPADS, or electronic devices unless I approve their use.
 Be prepared, Be engaged, Be attentive, Be excited. We learn by doing!
  BRAY’S TWO MAIN RULES:

 Rule #1 - “Fair is a Four Letter Word” Things are not fair so make the best
of a situation or make things happen.

 Rule #2 – “Excuses satisfy only those who need them” I accept reasons, I
HATE excuses.

 ROP Criminal justice is a privilege and offers great challenges and

opportunity. Don’t abuse it or you will lose it.

Assignments and Credit:

Class Assignments:

 Most assigned work will be completed in class. All assignments will be

completed neatly and will be typed or hand written as directed. Sloppy
work is not tolerated by law enforcement supervisors and will not be in
class. Assignments will be completed on lined binder paper in pencil or pen.
All creative projects, term papers and special topic reports will be typed,
single spaced with a title page, narrative and reference page.
If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to receive any work he/she
may have missed. It is a good policy for students to have the phone number and e
mail address of a responsible classmate that can keep them up to date on
assignments they may have missed. Parents may also make homework requests
through the attendance / registrar’s office if the illness or absence will be
extended. There will be no exceptions regarding assignments for those students
involved in sports and extra-curricular activities. All assignments shall be turned in
on the date they are due or prior. If you are unable to attend class due to a
sporting or extracurricular activity, the required assignment will be turned in prior
to the activity.

EXTRA CREDIT:
Rewards will be given to those students who demonstrate an extra effort in
class. Extra credit is not offered arbitrarily and is not a make up for poor
performance. Extra credit may mean the difference between a C to a B.
Extra Credit assignments will be worth 10 points and will be assigned at the
discretion of the instructor. There is a maximum of four extra credit
assignments per semester.

QUIZZES AND TESTS:

Tests and quizzes will consist of multiple choice, true and false and short
answer questions. These grading instruments will be administered at the
end of each chapter and will measure the student’s ability to recollect and
recall the important issues of each chapter. Quizzes shall be administered
at my discretion and may come without prior knowledge or warning.
Tests will be announced and reviewed before their administration.
Quizzes and tests may be made up as soon as possible, or within one week
of the student returning to class.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

Law Enforcement requires a great deal of reading and writing. As such, you
will learn to write crime reports using a format and style used by larger law
enforcement agencies in Fresno and Tulare counties. These reports will be
clear, concise and complete and will be based on crime scenes and
observations. Spelling, grammar and penmanship will all be part of the
grading for the reports.
Students will also write book and video reviews and a quarterly paper
regarding a law enforcement topic.

BINDER:
Each student will be required to maintain a 3 ring binder that will contain
all completed assignments, notes, terms and correspondence. I will issue
the binder will be issued by me and will be neat, orderly and organized.
The student binder shall include;
Syllabus

Daily Assignments
All issued materials
Returned assignments
Test reviews, notes and Vocabulary lists.

TEXT:

Criminal Justice Today-

12th Edition
Author: Frank Schmallager

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:

California Penal Code

California Vehicle Code
FBI Bulletin
Police Officer Magazine

GRADING POLICY:
Each Assignment will be assigned a specific number of points and the
student’s final grade in the class will be based on the accumulation of
points during each quarter / semester. The grading scale will be;

100%-89% -A
88% - 79% - B
78%-69% -C
68% - 60% - D
59% and below – F

Grades will be posted when all students have completed the assignment.

Assignments: Quarter / Semester

Week 1& 2 – Chapter 1, What is Criminal Justice

Week 3&4 – Chapter 2, The Crime Picture
Week 5&6 – Chapter 3, The Search for Cause
Week 7&8 – Chapter 4, Criminal Law
Week 9&10 – Chapter 5, Policing-History & Structure
Week 11&12 – Chapter 6, Policing-Purpose & Organization
Week 13& 14 – Chapter 7, Policing – Legal aspects
Week 15&16 – Chapter 8, Policing – Issues & Challenges
Break

Spring-
Introduction to Courts
Introduction to Corrections
Introduction to Investigations.
Field trips:
Fresno County Jail
Fresno County Coroner’s Office / County Morgue
Fresno County Courthouse
Guest Speakers and displays.