CRJ 211D Telecom - 3 credits INSTRUCTOR: STEVEN D. NELSON
INTRO TO LAW OFFICE: Sullivan Hall 201
SPRING 2008 PHONE: 791-5364
On-line Session: Wednesday 6-6:50PM E-Mail: snelson@ugf.edu
CRN 30159 OFFICE HRS.: Mon: 1-2PM
& 3:15-
No campus enrollment 4:15PM
(includes Great Falls) Tues: 1-2PM
(with out my permission) Wed: 1-2PM &
3:15-4:15PM
(Other times and/or
other days, including
evenings, by appointment.)
A PROCTOR IS NECESSARY FOR THIS CLASS - IT IS EACH STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO LINE UP A PROCTOR. If you look under "forms" (http://www.ugf.edu/academics/forms.aspx on the UGF web page, you will find the appropriate form and instructions. Please complete the form and send the necessary information by the end of the first week of classes. A proctor is someone who handles your testing in the sense that he/she receives the exams from UGF; monitors you taking the exam (to prevent academic dishonesty), and returns the exams to me. When exams are sent out there are instructions for the proctor as to whether exams are open book, open note, closed book, and/or no notes like my exams.
A WORKING MICROPHONE AND E-MAIL ADDRESS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE - HAVE THEM BY THE FIRST ON-LINE SESSION! YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO HAVE WEEKLY ACCESS TO THE INTERNET TO ACCESS THE CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD DESCRIBED BELOW IN PARAGRAPH XIV AS WELL AS FOR ATTENDING THE WED CLASSES VIA LEARNLINC (SEE PARAGRAPH III BELOW).
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to basic legal concepts common to private and public law systems. The general principles involved in tort, contract, family, property, and criminal law will be reviewed (Three Credits).
II. TEXT:
A. Introduction to Law, 4th Edition, Beth Walston-Dunham, West Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minn. 2004.
III. REQUIREMENTS:
A. Class participation is required. You are allowed two absences without penalty, after that you are subject to a 2 point penalty off final grade average for each class missed. You are encouraged to ask questions and volunteer your thoughts and ideas and you will be called on to contribute to class discussion. Consequently, preparation before class will be essential. You are expected to have read, analyzed, watched the applicable videotaped presentation, and studied the assigned materials before the class for which it is assigned. The expectation for a three credit college course is that students will spend 6-9 hours per week in addition to class time in preparation for that course. For Telecom students that means 6-9 hours of preparation per week in addition to watching the video lecture and attending the on-line session. To not be counted as absent, a student must attend the entire class. Tardiness is treated as an absence, unless satisfactory explanation is made to the instructor at the end of the class period. Leaving class (or merely being logged on but not actively participating in the class )before the class period is over is treated as an absence unless a satisfactory explanation is provided to the instructor before the class period begins. The attendance requirement begins with the first class of the semester (in fact, the 1st class is one of the most important classes of the semester). If a student "adds" the class late, he/she will marked absent for any classes missed, even if prior to registration. A nice feature of Telecom is that you can download the recorded on-line session.
Students participating in university-sponsored extracurricular activities (including intercollegiate athletics) must bring notification of the class to be missed at least one week in advance of the event in order for the absence to be excused. Excusing attendance for a class missed due to university-sponsored extracurricular activities does not excuse completing the assignments for the class missed.
You are encouraged to ask questions and volunteer your thoughts and ideas and you will be called on to contribute to class discussion. Consequently, preparation before class will be essential. You are expected to have read, analyzed, and studied the assigned materials before the class for which it is assigned. The expectation for a three credit college course is that students will spend 6-9 hours per week in addition to class time in preparation for that course.
B. To encourage orderly and productive classroom conduct:
1. I will conduct this class in an atmosphere of mutual respect. I encourage your active participation in class discussions. Each of us may have strongly differing opinions on the various topics of class discussions. The conflict of ideas is encouraged and welcome. The orderly questioning of the ideas of others, including mine, is similarly welcome. However, I will exercise my responsibility to manage the discussions so that ideas and argument can proceed in an orderly fashion. You should expect that if your conduct during class discussions disrupts the atmosphere of mutual respect I expect in this class, you will not be permitted to participate further.
IV. COURSE BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES:
A. As a result of their involvement in this course, it is expected that students will:
1. be able to describe and discuss the history and structure of the United States legal system;
2. be able to describe and discuss how legal actions are instituted and the steps in the process leading to judgment;
3. be able to describe and discuss the law governing contracts, torts, business, property, domestic relations, criminal law, and criminal procedure;
4. be able to analyze fact situations and apply the applicable legal theories.
5. prepare for careers in the criminal justice field by learning the necessity of attending classes (similar to going to work) and completing requirements of course in a timely, punctual manner (similar to the requirements of the workplace).
6. These
course behavioral objectives reflect Criminal Justice Program Competencies Numbers:
1,5,6, and 9.
B. The foregoing items will be demonstrated by:
1. Reading assigned topics when scheduled and being prepared to discuss those topics in the class for which they are assigned;
2. Participating in class discussions;
3. Taking 3 examinations (covering the foregoing objectives and substantive information presented via the text and class lecture/discussion) when scheduled and obtaining a passing grade; and
4. By punctual, regular and complete Class attendance.
C. Students will complete a survey at the end of the semester in regard to how well the course behavioral objectives have been accomplished. .
V. RUBRICS OF EVALUATION/GRADING:
The examinations will be a combination of multiple
choice, true/false, and/or essay questions. Essay exams will be graded on
content, clarity, and grammatical correctness. The examinations are designed to
test your knowledge of the material presented and your ability to apply the
knowledge you have acquired.
(Record your scores)
A. First Exam 33.3% ______________
B. Second Exam 33.3% ______________
C. Final Exam 33.3% ______________
D. Grading:
1. A = 90-100%
2. B = 80-89.9%
3. C = 70-79.9%
4. D = 60-69.9%
5. F = 0-59.9%
Exams must be taken when scheduled unless prior approval is obtained from instructor. Such approval will only be given in rare, emergency situations. Since each exam equals 33.3% of final grade, failure of even one exam to count towards the final grade will severely impact the student's grade. Do not let this happen to you! Additionally, since students are expected to have completed the assigned readings before class, failure to have done so will not only negatively effect performance on exams but, at the instructor's option, points may be deducted from a student's final grade. Please review policy on attendance in section III.
VI. CLASS SCHEDULE:
A. See schedule at end of Syllabus (Paragraph XIV). The schedule is an approximation and may be changed at instructor's discretion. Consequently, it is necessary to attend class to stay informed of any changes.
VII. ACADEMIC CONDUCT:
A. Academic conduct shall be in accordance with and governed by the College policy as set out in the Current Catalogue. Any incident of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade in the course.
VIII. Instructor Contact
A. If you have questions or encounter problems with the material during the course you are encouraged to ask questions during class so that everyone may benefit from the discussion. However, if you are unable, or do not wish to bring them up during class, please feel free to stop in or call me at my office. The best time to reach me is during office hours. If I am not available, you may leave a message indicating the nature of your call, a return phone number, and times when you may be contacted. I will attempt to return your call. Since I may be unsuccessful in reaching you, do not hesitate to continue to attempt to reach me.
IX. CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION
A. Pre-requisite for this course:
1. None, but students are forewarned that due to the nature of the course material that they may have to devote a significant amount of preparation time to succeed and that course is not recommended for 1st year students.
B. This course is required in the following degree options:
1. Criminal Justice Major;
2. Criminal Justice Associate degree
X. ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
A. Reasonable accommodation will be available to students with special needs as determined by the Center for Academic Excellence in Sullivan Hall (791-5213). Please notify me as soon as possible of any accommodation arrangements made through the Center for Academic Excellence. I want everyone to be successful in this course!
XI. CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IDENTITY STATEMENT, PROVIDENCE LEADERSHIP COVENANT, MISSION STATEMENT: The University of Great Falls is a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of Providence. Consequently students are urged to review the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IDENTITY STATEMENT, PROVIDENCE LEADERSHIP COVENANT, and the UGF MISSION STATEMENT found in the UGF catalogue and on the UGF web page.
XII. GOALS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES at UGF:
All students will acquire fundamental knowledge, skills, and dispositions during their careers at the University of Great Falls. The following overriding goals shape curricular decisions to ensure breadth and depth of content and experience and to encourage independent learning. They help create the context of a value-based liberal education and reinforce the university's Mission Statement including the Catholic University Identity Statement and the Providence Leadership Covenant.
UGF graduates ENGAGE THE QUESTIONS:
1. What does it mean to be human? The university encourages students to
· appreciate the inherent value and interrelatedness of all God's creation
· appreciate the inherent dignity of every person
· appreciate and value cultural differences and similarities
· appreciate that community is essential to being and becoming human
· appreciate the responsibility to maintain and strengthen society by helping others and advancing justice
· appreciate the value of aesthetic and creative expression.
(The Criminal Justice Program Competency Objectives which address this question are Numbers 8, 11, and 20.)
2. What does it mean to participate in intellectual inquiry? The university encourages students to
· dedicate themselves to the pursuit of truth and knowledge
· cherish the cumulative wisdom of human inquiry, past and present as a means to enrich the future
· civilly question and challenge, and remain open to being questioned and challenged, in pursuit of the common good
· think critically and creatively, analyze situations and proposals accurately; identify issues, evaluate and appreciate alternative positions.
(The Criminal Justice Program Competency Objectives which address this question are Numbers 1, 2,3,4,6,7,12, and 17.)
3. What does it mean to "make a living" and to live as a productive human being? The university encourages students to
· communicate clearly and effectively in multiple modes of discourse
· identify problems and articulate appropriate solutions
· accept the consequences of their decisions and actions
· dedicate themselves to their field of endeavor
· possess expertise in a specific area and appreciation of other areas
· practice personal health.
(The Criminal Justice Program Competency Objectives which address this question are Numbers 1,5,6,9,10,13,14,15,18,19,20,21,22,23, and 24.)
4. What does it mean to participate in the spiritual and religious dimensions of life? The university encourages students to
· explore religious world views and value systems and their implications for living
· contemplate spirituality, the meaning of God, religion, and the gospel of Jesus Christ and their importance for living
· further God's work of reaching out to humanity
· make sound moral judgments
· appreciate the Christian and Catholic traditions
(The Criminal Justice Program Competency Objectives which address this question are Numbers 8 and 16.)
XIII. Criminal Justice Program Competency Objectives:
1. Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
2. Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline; (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
3. Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
4. Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
5. Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
6. Effectively communicate knowledge into writing by preparing reports, subject related papers and/or essay questions (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
7. Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
8. Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action (Associate degree, Minor, Major);
9. Discuss and identify the different areas within civil law and procedures involved in civil law suits (Major);
10. Effectively communicate through written and verbal presentations historical developments of the correctional system and theories behind punishment (Major);
11. Recognize and discuss how personal and cultural differences affect behavior and communication in American society (Major);
12. Evaluate and distinguish current social science research methodology through hypothesis development, analysis of findings, and to compare and contrast types of social research methods (Major);
13. Apply “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline and apply the research and literature of the discipline demonstrating an upper-level scholarly ability (Major);
14. Analyze and demonstrate effective interview and interrogation techniques (Law Enforcement Concentration and Corrections Concentration);
15. Apply observational skills and draw reasonable inferences from those observations as they relate in determining truth versus deception (Law Enforcement Concentration and Corrections Concentration);
16. Evaluate and question police officer discretion and ethical practices in the field (Law Enforcement Concentration);
17. Infer and analyze personal and societal values as they pertain to law enforcement officers (Law Enforcement Concentration);
18. Independently assess the diverse aspects of police patrol operations (Law Enforcement Concentration);
19. Summarize, compare and contrast problem-solving techniques utilized in contemporary community policing (Law Enforcement Concentration);
20. Identify community issues (e.g., crime and quality of life) and strategies used by police departments to address them (Law Enforcement Concentration);
21. Formulate investigative strategies employed in the criminal investigation process (Law Enforcement Concentration);
22. Perceive and make relationships in determining the identification and appropriate physical evidence collection, and crime scene processing in a criminal investigation (Law Enforcement Concentration);
23. Analyze structure and organization of management styles within law enforcement agencies (Law Enforcement Concentration);
24. Identify ones own managerial strengths and weaknesses as they apply to law enforcement supervision. (Law Enforcement Concentration);
25. Identify major issues in juvenile corrections (Corrections Concentration);
26. Identify how cases are processed through systems from arrest through parole (Corrections Concentration);
27. Identify goals, successes, challenges of institutional and community corrections (Corrections Concentration);
28. Identify principles in case work and case management (Corrections Concentration);
29. Identify the population of youth at risk in our society (Corrections Concentration);
30. Identify various methods of correctional administration and management (Corrections Concentration); and
31. Identify the major issues concerning victims and the Criminal Justice System (Corrections Concentration).
XIV. SCHEDULE
Note: the schedule may be changed at instructor's discretion. It is the student's responsibility to attend class in order to stay informed of any changes. The PowerPoint slides used in the taped lectures may be found at:
http://faculty.ugf.edu/jgretch/crj/crj211.htm
Additionally, we will use a class discussion "bulletin board" which you can reach at:
http://faculty.ugf.edu/crj211sp08/
Please view "PowerPoints" and "bulletin board" before 1st class to make sure you can locate them.
"TAPE"
1/9 Intro to course; Syllabus 1
(see 1st video tape, locate class
discussion board and powerpoints referred to in preceding section XII
-- also take care of proctor requirement - see beginning of syllabus.
1/16 Ch 1: The American Legal System 2
Ch 2: The Courts
1/23 Ch 3: Legislation 3
Ch 4: The Executive Branch
Ch 7: Substantive & Proced.Issues
1/30 Ch 8: Jurisdiction 4
1/31 to 2/6 First Exam
2/13 Ch 9: Contracts 5
2/20 Ch 9: Contracts 6
2/27 Ch 11: Torts 7
3/5 Spring Break
3/12 Ch 12: Business Law 8
3/13-19 Second Exam
3/26 Ch 10: Property Law 9
4/2 Ch 16: Family Law 10
4/9 Ch 14: Criminal Law 11
4/16 Ch 15: Criminal Procedure 12
4/17 to 4/23 Final Exam (Must be received by me by 4/25!!)