Course Title:
| Issues in Criminal Justice | |
Course Materials:
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Akers, R. L., & Sellers, C. S. (2009). Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation, and application (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Fuller, J.R., & Hickey, E.W. (1999). Controversial issues in criminology. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Reid, S.T. (2008). Criminal justice (8th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson Custom Solutions.
Roth, M.P. (2005). Crime and punishment. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. | |
Course Description:
| CCJS 351 Issues in Criminal Justice (6) Prerequisite: CCJS 100 or CCJS 105. An interdisciplinary exploration of criminal justice. Topics include theories of the causes of crime; requisites of criminal liability; defenses; the rights guaranteed by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution; undercover investigation; special issues in juvenile justice; and the highly controversial issues of capital punishment and victimization. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 351 or CCJS 351. | |
Course Goals/Objectives:
· utilize research methods to investigate crime statistics and analyze the level of crime in the United States
· compare and contrast the “crime control” and “due process” models of criminal justice
· appraise a wide variety of philosophies, theories and explanations for the causes and prevention of crime
· understand current controversies involved in accusing, arresting, and punishing offenders
· explore the various role-players within the criminal justice system
· appraise the major approaches to punishment and the philosophical and political assumptions behind them
· examine current political topics and critically evaluate proposed solutions
· formulate personal philosophies regarding the definition, causes, prevention of crime
· formulate personal philosophies regarding sentencing, punishment and alternatives | |
Course Introduction:
This course introduces you to contemporary American criminal justice issues and institutions. It will provide you with an analytical and historical context for examining crime and for exploring proposals to control crime. The course helps you to gain a better understanding of the levels of crime in this society, what causes crime, and what can be done to control crime.
The course will recognize the contributions of criminal justice experts who conduct research studies about crime, its causes, and methods of prevention. We will also compare the similarities and differences in how the criminological theorists and political leaders view important current crime problem issues. Above all else, however, we will search for examples of what one of the authors calls clear thinking about crime. This terminology suggests a combination of theory and practice in addressing the crime problem.
You will consider theoretical and practical dimensions of the crime issues presented and come to your own conclusions about what causes crime and what can be done to stop it.
The course is organized into the following modules:
Module 1: Philosophical, Conceptual, and Statistical Foundations
· the extent of crime in the United States and the trends in recent years
· two approaches to crime--crime control and due process
· theories of the causes of crime
Module 2: The Criminal Justice System and Process
· the criminal trial process and the key players in that process
· theories of punishment
· sentencing policies and sentencing reform
Module 3: Current Issues in Criminal Justice
· drug enforcement policy
· victims' rights movement
· community policing
· future policy | |
Grading Information and Criteria:
|
Your final grade will be determined by your grades on three writing assignments, participation, and a final proctored examination. The final examination will be administered by the University during final examination week. The examination may consist of a combination of multiple-choice, true/false, short-answer questions and long-format essays. For the final examination, you are expected to respond based on memory, experience and opinion only (no books or notes) when addressing the major sections of the course.
All assignments and exams are created with the intention that work is to be completed on an individualized basis unless otherwise expressly indicated in the pertinent instructions.
Criteria - Grades will be determined as follows:
Assignment 1 25 points
Assignment 2 25 points
Assignment 3 25 points
Participation 10 points
Final Exam 20 points
TOTAL 100 points
Grading Scale
A 90–100 points
B 80–89 points
C 70–79 points
D 60–69 points
F 0–59 points | |
Other Information:
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Project Descriptions:
The assignments help you apply the readings and other relevant materials. All questions must be answered to get full credit. Each paper must be between six and eight (6-8) double-spaced pages in length.
You must use proper citation within the text (Siegel, 1980:5) and full citation by using endnotes (Siegel, Michael. Effective Approaches to Faculty Development. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Colleges, 1980.). The substance of your response must meet appropriate standards for a 300-level college course in the following categories:
• Content – the issues and substance, the points you raise, the arguments you present
• Terminology – proper usage of vocabulary for this area of study
• Application – how you apply theories and knowledge to given facts
• Complete Response – whether you answered all questions and sub-questions
• Organization/Style – was there a logical, understandable "flow" to the work
• Grammar/Mechanics – citation, punctuation, spelling, proper word usage
Copying or using the work of another student, falsifying sources, or representing an idea or thought of another as one's own may be grounds for reprimand under UMUC's policy on academic dishonesty. Please see the end of this syllabus for direct links via the UMUC website.
** Project Descriptions
1. Discuss how crime statistics can be used by policymakers to create law. Research a current ‘real-life’ crime-related initiative enacted by an elected official. For instance, your own congressperson, senator, mayor. Please use Lexis-Nexis for your primary research. How did s/he use crime statistics to support their point of view? How did they present the ‘problem’ and how did they present the solution? What does the opposition say? And, will this be a successful campaign?
2. Several significant changes regarding sentencing guidelines have been instituted at both the state and federal level as sentencing ‘reform’. Discuss the reasons why changes were necessary, the intention of the changes, and what studies show regarding results. In conclusion, discuss what the future holds for sentencing guidelines and briefly address whether sentencing guidelines should be set for juveniles.
3. Do you think that the death penalty should be outlawed in America? Discuss both sides of the issue by stating why or why not. Consider the international community and the International Declaration of Human Rights. (See http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html). What are some alternatives to the death penalty? Discuss current and past controversies (involving, for instance, ethnicity, gender, age, education, disability, or IQ). Can the Death Penalty continue to be considered a deterrent to criminal behavior in the US?
4. Discuss the Victims Rights Movement by comparing two opposing view points. (Recommended: use of the Opposing Viewpoints database found online in the UMUC Library.) Are current statutes effective in protecting against future crime (‘payback’)? What are the current controversies surrounding this issue and why are law enforcement personnel somewhat reluctant to support reforms in this area?
5. Imagine that you are being interviewed as a candidate for the job of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Explain the philosophy of crime prevention that you would use to increase security. How do you address the fears of the public? How would you make our borders safer? How would you make information technology and infrastructure more secure? How would you ensure that your measures will control crime and also protected the liberties of citizens?
6. Compare and contrast two peer-reviewed journal articles on technology and policing. Describe how particular technological advances have made police work more accurate and time-saving. How would you recommend that law enforcement officers acclimate to such ‘upgrades’? Research in particular current training initiatives (for instance at the PG County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI) and analyze how (or whether) they have been accepted and used by the law enforcement community.
TURNITIN.COM POLICY - IMPORTANT!!
Student work product may be screened by www.turnitin.com to identify plagiarized material.
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism. | |
Academic Policies:
Cases of plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines.
See the UMUC policies at the following URL:
http://www.umuc.edu/policy/ | |
Course Schedule:
1 Reid Preface, Chaps. 1 & 2; Akers Chap 1; Walker Chap. 3; Recommended: Walker Chap.1; Course Guide ix – xx & Unit 1.
2 Continue reading assignment from Week 1; Reid Chapter 3.
3 Course Guide Unit 2; Akers Chap. 2; Roth Chap. 12; Recommended: Fuller & Hickey Debate # 4.
4 Akers Chaps. 3, 4 & 7; Fuller & Hickey Debate 11; Recommended: Course Guide Unit 4. **Attach Assignment 1 in your ASSIGNMENTS folder.
5 Roth Chap. 13; Reid Chap. 7; Recommended: Course Guide Unit 7.
6 Reid Chap. 8; Course Guide Unit 5 & 6.
7 Reid Chap. 6.
8 Roth Chap. 10 & 11; Fuller & Hickey Debates #10, #12 & #14; Reid (re-read), pp. 222 243; Recommended: Course Guide Unit 8.**Attach Assignment 2 in your ASSIGNMENTS folder.
9 Walker Chap. 12.
10 Walker Chap. 13; Fuller & Hickey Debate #3; Highly recommended: Course Guide Unit 11.
11 Walker Chap. 9; Fuller & Hickey Debate #2; Recommended: Course Guide Unit 12.
12 Fuller & Hickey Debate #9; Reid Chap. 4 & 5; Recommended: Walker Chap. 5 & Course Guide Unit 13.
13 Roth Chap. 14; Fuller & Hickey Debates #5 & 13.**Attach Assignment 3 in your ASSIGNMENTS folder.
14 Review for Final.
15 Final Exam Week Good Luck on your Final Exam. | |
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