INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE

“WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS”	

FIRST WEEK
JAN 9 2012
FIRST… LET’S GET ACQUAINTED.  You can know something about me in “CONTACTS.”  I would like to know a little about you; something you can share with the other classmates.
Please go to the “SQUAD ROOM,” (It is in Discussion Board), and post a brief introduction of yourself.  Include your goals and expectations of this course.  Read about your fellow classmates and post a greeting to at least two of them.  Do this anytime during the first week.

(INFORMATION)  The first two weeks of assignments will be from my commentaries found in ASSIGNMENTS.  We will start into the Text Book in the third week.
Be patient with the YOUR NEW WORLD CONCEPT, it does have purpose and lends validity to our modern day Criminal Justice System.  One who truly understands this concept will find it much more difficult to disparage our country and our criminal justice system; and they MIGHT find it a little easier to understand the basis and structure of world governments.

In ASSIGNMENTS…  READ, YOUR NEW WORLD... CHAPTER ONE.  (Put some thought into this… don’t be frivolous.  Use your imagination to see how it really might feel… explain yourself.
REMEMBER, THIS IS A CRITICAL THINKING COURSE.  TRY TO BACK UP WHAT YOU SAY BY SOUND LOGIC AND REASON, OR EVEN DOCUMENTED RESEARCH.  YOUR GRADE WILL DEPEND ON HOW WELL YOU RESPOND.
POST… your response in the DISCUSSION BOARD, by 8:00 pm, FRIDAY 1/13/2012

SECOND WEEK
JAN 16 2012  
THIS WEEK CONTAINS TWO READING ASSIGNMENTS… BUT THEY ARE SHORT.  (I encourage you to read the responses of the other students.  It might provide further insight and some interesting points of view.)

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS…. “YOUR WORLD, CH2.”
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS…  “YOUR WORLD, CH3.”

POST YOUR RESPONSE TO BOTH READING ASSIGNMENTS… by 8:pm FRIDAY  1/20/12.  Address the issues of each in the appropriate DISCUSSION BOARD forum.

NOTE… Be sure to frequently check back in the forums for additional remarks and or discussion from the Instructor.
	
THIRD WEEK
JAN 23 2012

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS…   “YOUR WORLD, CH4.”
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS…”YOUR WORLD, CH5.”  (This is the final chapter on the YOUR WORLD concept.)

POST YOUR RESPONSES in the DISCUSSION BOARD by 8:00 pm, Friday,  1/27/2012

FOURTH WEEK 
 JAN 30  2012              

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT.”
POST IN DISCUSSION BOARD by SATURDAY, 2/4/12
                                       AND
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “WALK THROUGH THE SYSTEM.”
POST YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT BY SUBMITTING YOU’RE WRITING TO THE DISCUSSION BOARD, by 8:00 pm, SATURDAY 2/4/12
*MORE ON NEXT PAGE
In response to Walk Through the System… formulate an argument, pro or con, regarding, Bail, Miranda Warnings, and Jury Trial verses Court Trial.  
For example… you might give me a reasonable argument as to why you would choose a court trial over a jury trial.

FIFTH WEEK
FEB 6 2012
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… Commentary on “THE SYSTEM, PART ONE.”  (This file might open very slowly).
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN DISCUSSION BOARD by 8:00 pm, Friday, 2/10/12

READ IN ASSIGNMENT… “COMMENTARY ON “THE SYSTEM, PART TWO,” (Due Process).
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD by FRIDAY, 8:00 pm, 2/10/12

SIXTH WEEK
FEB 13 2012

QUIZ … OVER CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 3 IN THE TEXT.
THE QUIZ WILL BE AVAILABLE IN COURSE DOCUMENTS FROM 8:00 am, MONDAY 2/14/12, THROUGH WEDNESDAY, 10:00 pm, 2/15/12.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY AN OPEN-BOOK TEST… THEREFORE,  I EXPECT YOUR ANSWERS TO BE ESPECIALLY ACCURATE AND COMPLETE.  WHERE OPINION IS REQUESTED, EXPRESS YOURSELVES CLEARLY AND SUPPORT IT BY SOUND LOGIC AND REASON.

SEVENTH WEEK
FEB 20 2012                (SHORT WEEK… DUE DATE EXTENDED TO   SATURDAY THE 25TH)

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS THE COMMENTARY ON “WHAT IS A CRIME?”  (VICE OFFENSES).

Take an approach on each issue and state your feelings and opinions.  Try to think “outside the box” using logic, reason, and common sense.  I expect a lot of thought and even some introspection on this assignment.
POST YOUR RESPONSE in the DISCUSSION BOARD, by 8:00 pm, SATURDAY 2/25/2012
                             ALSO
READ IN ASSIGNMENT… Commentary on the Development of the Justice System in the USA; (THE BASIS OF OUR LAWS).
POST RESPONSE IN DISCUSSION BOARD by 10:pm, SATURDAY 2/25/2012

EIGHT WEEK
FEB 27 2012

READ IN “COURSE DOCUMENTS” ABOUT THE “LIFE BOAT.”  ALSO READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “THE LIFE BOAT.”
         POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD FORUM by 8:00 pm FRIDAY, 3/2/12
(Tell me what you discovered about religion and the Criminal Justice System.  Is there a correlation between the religious aspects of the Criminal Justice System and the situation of the Life Boat?)

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS, THE COMMENTARY ON “CRIME CAUSATION.”
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD, by 8:00 pm, FRIDAY, 3/2/12.

NINTH WEEK
MAR 5 2012
MID-TERM TEST

THE TEST WILL BE AVAILABLE IN COURSE DOCUMENTS FROM 8:00 am, MONDAY, 3/5/12, to 10:00 pm, WEDNESDAY, 3/7/12.  (OPEN BOOK … JUST LIKE THE FIRST QUIZ)  It will include questions from the text, my commentaries and outside sources.
 
INFORMATION
FRIDAY, MAR 9 2012 IS THE LAST DAY THAT A STUDENT CAN WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS WITH A “W”.  A DROP AFTER THAT DAY WILL REQUIRE A LETTER GRADE.

TENTH WEEK
MAR 12 2012

READ IN COURSE DOCUMENTS… “LETTER TO THE JUDGE.”
      POST IN DISCUSSION BOARD, YOUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS ASKED IN LETTER TO THE JUDGE, by 8:00 pm, FRIDAY, 3/16/12.  (All answers may be found in the reading assignment)

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS…”FINAL THOUGHTS ON CRIME CAUSATION.” 
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD BY 8:P.M.
FRIDAY, 3/16/12.

ELEVENTH WEEK
MAR 19 2012
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… COMMENTARY ON CRIME STATISTICS.
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN DISCUSSION BOARD by 8:00 pm FRIDAY, 3/23/12.  (Express your thoughts and feelings on the readings and especially on the scope of the crime problem.  Share your feelings with other students.)
                                       SEE NEXT PAGE
READ IN COURSE DOCUMENTS ABOUT THE “NEW-HALL INCIDENT” 
 POST YOUR RESPONSE TO THE “NEW-HALL INCIDENT” IN DISCUSSION BOARD by 8:00 pm, FRIDAY, 3/23/12.  (How did this make you feel?)

TWELFTH WEEK
MAR 26 2012

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS, Commentary on “moving west.” 

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS THE COMMENTARY ON “PARA-MILITARY COPS.”
POST YOUR RESPONSE ON “MOVING WEST AND PARA-MILITARY COPS,  (IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION BOARDS) by FRIDAY, 8:00 pm, 3/30/12.

THIRTEENTH WEEK
APR 9 2012                        (FOLLOWING SPRING BREAK)

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS, THE COMMENTARY ON “ARREST, SEARCH, AND SEIZURE.”

RESPOND TO “THE SITUATIONS” AS ADDRESSED IN THE COMMENTARY BY SUBMITTING YOU’RE WRITING TO THE DISCUSSION BOARD, by 8:00 pm, FRI 4/13/12
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… COMMENTARY ON THE “EXCLUSIONARY RULE.”
POST IN DISCUSSION BOARD, YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT by 9:00 pm, FRIDAY 4/13/12.

FOURTEENTH WEEK
APR 16 2012

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… THE COMMENTARY ON “ETHICS.”
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD.  SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WITH OTHER STUDENTS by 9:00 pm, SATURDAY 4/21/12.

READ IN COMMENTARY… “WHAT DO THE POLICE DO?”
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD, INCLUDING YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS REGARDING CHAPTER SEVEN, by 8:00 pm, SATURDAY 4/21/12.

FIFTEENTH WEEK
APR 23 2012
(READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “TERRORISM & CYBER-CRIME. (This is a power-point presentation.  It opens very slowly and you must move it along by clicking your mouse.) 
QUESTION:  WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR MAJOR CRIME PROBLEMS WILL BE IN THE FUTURE?
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD by 9:00 pm, FRIDAY 4/27/12.

SIXTEENTH WEEK
APR 30 2012
READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “THE COURT SYSTEM.”
POST IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD… YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING THE COURTS, by 9:00 pm, FRIDAY, 5/4/12

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “CORRECTIONS OR WHAT?”
        POST IN DISCUSSION BOARD.. YOUR RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ADDRESSED IN THE CORRECTIONS READINGS by 9:00 pm, FRIDAY, 5/4/12.

SEVENTEENTH WEEK
MAY 7 2012

READ IN ASSIGNMENTS… “WHAT ABOUT THE VICTIM?”
POST YOUR RESPONSE IN DISCUSSION BOARD… by 9:00 pm, FRIDAY, 5/11/12.                     -  SEE NEXT PAGE -

NOTE:  IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME… JUST WAIT.. YOUR TURN IS COMING.  I CAN JUST ABOUT GUARANTEE THAT. 
I HOPE YOUR VICTIMIZATION IS A SMALL ONE.

EIGHTEENTH WEEK
MAY 14 2012

FINAL EXAMINATION
THE FINAL EXAM CAN BE ACCESSED IN COURSE DOCUMENTS, BEGINNING AT 8:00 am, MONDAY, 5/14/12. 
 IT WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 8:00 pm, WEDNESDAY, 5/16/12.

LIKE THE OTHER TESTS, THIS IS AN OPEN-BOOK EXAM. THE FINAL EXAM IS COMPREHENSIVE.  IT WILL INCLUDE QUESTIONS FROM THE ENTIRE TEXT AND ALL COMMENTARIES.  SOME QUESTIONS MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE RESOURCES.

ALL EXTRA CREDIT POINTS WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR FINAL OVER-ALL GRADES FOR THE SEMESTER.	

ELECTRONIC NECESSITIES

Since this course will be conducted over the internet, there are certain requirements that you must be able to meet and guidelines that I will require all to abide by. Failure to comply with either the requirements or guidelines will result in a class that is difficult and unpleasant for all.  The following information may be of some help to you:

SKILLS:  Enrollment in an online course assumes several things: 
1.  That you are familiar with computers.
2.  That you know the basics of word processing.
3.  That you know how to access the internet (use a browser, send e-mail, etc.)

COMPUTER ACCESS: 
It is desirable that you have a computer at home with internet access.  It does not matter who your internet service provider is, however, it needs to be reliable and your connection should be quick, at least a 56K or better.
The computers on campus have an adequate connection, but they are not always available due to classroom schedules.

E-MAIL: 
An e-mail address is essential.  If you do not currently have one, you may set one up through State Center Community College District (www.scccd.org).  These e-mail accounts are free to district students and give you 10 MB of mailbox space that can be accessed from any computer with internet access; you will also qualify for low-cost internet access at home if you do not currently have that.  Microsoft Hotmail and Yahoo also provide free e-mail accounts, but each allows only about 5 MB of space.  These accounts are also available through any computer that has internet access.  I WILL USE E-MAIL TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CLASS AS A GROUP, AND WITH INDIVIDUALS.  YOU SHOULD PLAN ON CHECKING YOUR E-MAIL EVERY DAY.

ASSIGNMENTS: 

The COURSE OUTLINE  (Syllabus) contains the weekly reading and activity assignments.  Follow it like a map for the course.  Because we do not have the advantage of face to face, in the classroom discussions, it is essential that information and commentary be included as reading assignments.  These are important.  It is the only way that an instructor can bring the benefit of his/her experiences to the student.  In the discipline of Criminal Justice, it is imperative that students be allowed to share in the real life experiences of their instructor.  Simply reading a text without opportunities to ask question and to read about how others have actually experienced the principles and concepts taught in the text, is not sufficient.  It must be remembered that these courses are designed, not only to inform interested students but to prepare students for careers in the Criminal Justice System, and that these careers often require instantaneous life and death decisions.  The education and training must provide sufficient (real, not just principle) information for the professional to be able to make those critical choices and decisions on the real streets of this Country.

THE DISCUSSION BOARD:

The Discussion Board is our primary device for interacting with one another.  It has been divided into Forums to coincide with the Reading Assignments, and one called The Squad Room, for other interaction.  You will need to post messages and responses to the assignments every week, as per assignment.  This is a great opportunity to read about the feelings and opinions of other students, to share your own opinions and to read the instructors input.  You can pretty well jump in whenever you want, as long as you make your response by the due date.  Please respond in a courteous manner and use civil, decent, language.  I will not disrespect you with crude or inappropriate words or language and I will not allow you to use this course forum to demonstrate your lack of respect for others.  Remember, you will be graded by the content of your responses.  Be sure to do your own work and put some thought into it, it is for your benefit.

FORMAT: 

The most common word processing format is Microsoft Word.  It is preferred.  If you use another word processing program, you will need to find out how to save your work as either a Word file (*.doc) or Rich Text Format (*.rtf).  Please do not use Microsoft Works or any other program that does not allow for easy conversion.

VIRUS PROTECTION:

Protecting your files... and our computers from viruses is essential.  This cannot be stressed enough.  If you are using multiple computers, please SCAN your disks and files early and often with an antivirus program, such as McAfee or Norton Anti-Virus.  If this becomes a problem we will have to discontinue using the Discussion Board, and the logistics of sharing our work will become nearly impossible.  Please refrain from opening e-mail attachments that look suspicious.  There is nothing worse than a computer which cannot be used because it has been contaminated by a bad practical joke.

ADOBE ACROBAT READER

Adobe's Acrobat Reader is a wonderful program, and it is free!  Most of our computers on campus have the program installed.  If you are working at home and have not already downloaded the Reader, please do so by visiting the Adobe site (www.adobe.com).  The program will allow you to read the articles and supplemental information contained in Course Documents or those submitted in PDF format.

YOU’RE RESPONSIBILITY
It is your responsibility to not only have access to a computer in good working order, but to see to it that you can use it properly at all times.  Your inability to present a response to an assignment is not excused.  However, if you cannot get your assignment to me in the proper format, you may get it to me by email, or snail-mail, if you get it in on time.
In like manner, because you are “out of town” is not an excuse for missed assignments.  This course is accessible from anywhere if you can get on the internet.  I have students all over the United States and some even in foreign countries.