Textbook: Introduction to Criminal Justice 4th Ed. 2004 Robert M. Bohm & Keith N. Haley
Prerequisites: None.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly. Students who miss class without permission are truant. Truancy is an unexcused absence and repeated truancy may be cause for disciplinary or legal acti0n against the student and the student’s parent/guardian.
No Credit: Any student with less than 90% attendance will not receive credit for the course. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for credit.
Tardies: Please come to class on time. Tardies will be documented and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Three tarries = one unexcused absence.
Make-up Work: Makeup work is the student’s responsibility. The student needs to ask the teacher for any missed work. A reasonable time limit will be allowed to make up missed work for an excused absence.
Late Work: The best way to be successful in this class is to do all assignments and turn them in on time. Late work will have points deducted as follows: Late 1 day: minus 25 pts. Late 2 days: minus 50 pts. Late 3 days: minus 75 pts.
Make-up Tests: If a student is absent on the day that an exam was given, the student will have to make arrangement to take the exam. The student will have no more than 3 days to make up the exam.
Restroom Pass: Each student will be allowed three restroom passes each six week grading period. Students are to use the nearest restroom and return to class immediately. Restroom passes will not be allowed the first 15 minutes or the last 15 minutes of class. Restroom passes will not be allowed during lectures or tests. Students with missing assignments will not be allowed restroom passes. Students who abuse this privilege will have it revoked.
Classroom Procedures: When you enter the classroom, please get your notebook. If you need to sharpen your pencil, please do so before the tardy bell. Please do not loiter in the hallways.
Supplies: Text book (provided) Spiral notebook Folder Dividers Pen and pencil Hi-liter (optional, but helpful Course Description: Introduction to Criminal Justice is an introductory course that provides an overview of the criminal justice system of the United States. This class examines the three main components of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Advanced Technical Credit Program The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Program is an advanced placement program for students interested in preparing for college and a technical career that requires postsecondary education. Any student who successfully completes statewide-articulated secondary courses such as this one is eligible to receive articulated credit from any participating public two-year college in the state that offers the corresponding college course. You are enrolled in an Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) course that will apply towards a college major as part of your high school graduation plan. As a result, this ATC course is a special version of a normal high school course that covers college-level material, and therefore carries a higher level credit towards your GPA and will be reflected on your high school transcript. This course will be noted on your high school transcript with a -TP in the course abbreviation and will identify the high school course as an ATC course. This course may also be noted with the letter A- on your high school transcript to identify the high school course as an ATC course. Nevertheless, to qualify for college credit through the ATC Program, you must meet the following requirements upon completion of this course:
· Complete this ATC course with a minimum grade of 80 (B or better). · (For Freshman and/or Sophomore Course Syllabi only) Note: Since this is a (Freshman) (Sophomore) ATC course, you must take additional ATC courses as a junior or senior to qualify for the college credit in this course. · (For Junior and/or Senior Course Syllabi only) Note: Since this is a (Junior) (Senior) ATC course, if you successfully achieve an 80 (3.0) or better, the credit may count as advanced measures for the Distinguished Achievement graduation plan (DAP).
Grading: Daily work: 33.3% Tests: 66.7% Your semesteraverage is determined by adding together your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd six week averages plus your final exam and dividing it by 4. Your final average is determined by adding together your 1st and 2nd semester averages and dividing by 2. 1st 6 wks 2nd 6 wks 3rd 6 wks Final 1st Semester Avg 90 80 85 88 = 86
4th 6 wks 5th 6 wks 6th 6 wks Final 2nd Semester Avg 95 83 91 95 = 91 Final Average = 89
Class Expectations: Be in class on time with all appropriate materials. Respect others and their belongings. Follow teacher’s directions. Remain in class unless you have a pass. Use of profanity, horse playing, and yelling are not allowed. Do not bring food or drinks into class. All electronic devices are to be kept off and out of sight while in class. No cell phones are allowed to be ON during class. Test Exemptions: Students who meet the following criteria will be exempted from the final exam:
A grade of 90+ with no more than 3 absences. A grade of 80-89 with no more than 2 absences. A grade of 70-79 with no more than 1 absence. Note: Every 3 tardies will equal 1 absense. All absences are unexused for exemption purposes. Students who are exempt from final exam will receive a grade of their average in place of the final test grade.
Course Objectives: Summarize how the criminal justice system responds to crime. Examine crime statistics and surveys. Describe the different theories of crime causation. Summarize the origins of American criminal law and describe the due process rights found in the Bill of Rights. Trace the English roots of American law enforcement and describe the major developments that have occurred in policing in America. Identify characteristics of police work. Discuss current issues and trends in American law enforcement such as use of force, corruption, etc. Summarize the purposes of courts and discuss the main actors in the administration of justice. List the stages in a criminal court. Identify the general factors that influence a judge’s sentencing decisions. Examine the history of punishment in Europe and the United States. Describe recent trends in the use of incarceration in the U.S. List characteristics of inmates in the U.S. Examine the characteristics of today’s inmate. Describe the profile of correctional officers. Examine research on recidivism. Define community corrections and identify the goals and responsibilities of community corrections agencies and their staffs. Identify the different institutional programs for juveniles. Examine the possible future of law enforcement in the United States.
Course Syllabus Acknowledgement Form
Rivera Early College High School 6955 F.M. 802 Brownsville, TX (956) 383-0911
I am here to serve the educational needs of your child. I am looking forward to having your son/daughter in my class and to having a great year. If you should feel the need to speak with me, please feel free to call the phone number above and leave a message. I will return your call as soon as possible. My conference period is 4th from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm.
___________________________ Mr. Abelardo Aguirre
I have received a copy of the course syllabus and classroom rules for Mr. Martinez’s classroom.
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______________________________________________________ ________________ Student’s Signature Date
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