HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Holyoke, MA 01040
SYLLABUS
CRJ 112: Criminal Law and Procedure (online)
NOTE: Classroom events and assignments subject to change
as deemed necessary by the instructor.
INSTRUCTOR
INFORMATION
Professor Mónica H. Pérez, J.D.
E-mail: Use WebCT e-mail set up for this course
Office: FR 166
Office Hours: E-mail with questions/issues
Phone: 413-552-2413
Meeting Day(s)/Times(s): This is an online course. All information, assignments, interaction, and communication is facilitated online through WebCT.
Be advised that this format requires that students work exclusively in an independent manner. Therefore, self-discipline
and self-pacing of work are critical factors in successfully completing this class.
Course Description: This course studies the history and development of criminal law as a form of social control, the evolution of criminal law from
civil law, and the relationship between common and statutory criminal law. The criminal process from investigation through
indictment, arrest, arraignment, trial, and sentencing will be reviewed. Through analytic case studies, emphasis will be
given to substantive aspects of criminal law and current Constitutional constraints established by the United States Supreme Court
on law enforcement procedures occurring during arrests, searches and seizures, interrogations, electronic
surveillance, and other investigative practices.
Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100
Students completing this course will
ü study and explore the nature and history of criminal law and procedure as
well as the legal and social dimensions of crime.
ü learn the elements of specific crimes.
ü develop and understanding of the defenses available to crimes.
ü engage in a review of the court system and its processes including an
overview of the connections of the various criminal justice systems with the courts.
ü develop an understanding of the balance between Constitutional rights and the need for public order/mandates of public safety agencies.
ü learn the procedural requirements from arrest to incarceration.
TEXTBOOK(S) and
SUPPLEMENT(S) (REQUIRED)
Criminal Law and Procedure, 5th Ed., John M. Scheb and John M. Scheb II
Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.
STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITY
The specified textbook is required for this class. In
addition, students must have access to a computer that can interface
appropriately with the WebCT format. It
is strongly suggested that students utilize the course outline in order to pace
their work for timely submission. All
assignments are submitted online and are due as specified in the syllabus. Exams are also administered online and
must be taken as scheduled. No make-up
exams will be given. If there are extenuating circumstances that
require consideration (i.e., extended illness, serious accident), the student
must make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the matter. Proof supporting the student’s position will
be required. **NOTE: The final exam week is clearly noted on the course outline
and in relevant HCC publications. Take
this into account NOW when scheduling work or other activities.
To be successful professionally, individuals must write well
and meet deadlines. Success is based, in
large part, on accountability and responsibility. Therefore, all assignments are due online on designated days.
Please plan ahead so that you have adequate time to complete the assignment and
deal with technological emergencies
(i.e., computer failure, disk corruption, printer glitches, etc.). NOTE:
Assignments must be saved as specified, attached to an e-mail message,
and submitted via the e-mail system set up for this class. Take time to read the information about how
to submit assignments so that you understand how to complete the task. Assignments that are not submitted as
specified for the online format are subject to a 10-point deduction. Proper essay, reporting, and citation
format is required. If students need
assistance with writing or format, they may access resources through the
Learning Center. These services are
available on campus; therefore, students will have to make the necessary
arrangements to take advantage of them.
Students should familiarize themselves with the HCC Student Handbook and
take advantage of the resources offered at the Learning Center, Library, media
lab, and computer labs if needed. LATE
ASSIGNMENTS:
There is a 24-hour grace period. A 10-point deduction will be made from the final score for late assignments. Assignments will not be accepted after the grace period expires. Refer to Student Responsibility section for information regarding extenuating circumstances.
METHOD OF
INSTRUCTION
Readings in the text provide the foundation for “lecture”. Students will be directed to websites or other information that will provide contemporary and current information to supplement learning. Findings will be posted for purposes of class discussion. Analytical and interactive assignments will emphasize concepts/techniques/skills that students are learning. Participation in the form of active and productive discussion, writing assignments, and practical appliction of techniques will be required to reinforce text material and skills involved in this field of work.
METHOD OF
EVALUATION
A total of 250 points can be earned for completing course requirements. Assignments include but are not limited to introductory exercises, exams, research, classroom presentations, and a comprehensive final exam. Consult assignment sheet for details.
STUDENTS WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS
HCC is committed to the full inclusion of all students. Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require classroom equipment or testing/assignment accommodation, should contact the instructor as soon as possible after class begins for the semester. Students may also speak to staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities at 413-552-2417 to request accommodations. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is necessary to support a positive learning experience.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
and PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
This career field requires that employees be on time, dependable, and consistent. Although the classroom is a “virtual” one, attendance is an integral part of the learning process. Attendance for this distance learning course involves being “present” in an asynchronous way. This means that the course is set up so that you can do your work at whatever time you wish provided that you meet established deadlines. There are no specific times that all participants must meet to chat or have discussions.
However, the course does require spending time online researching specific topics and posting responses to issues presented by the instructor. Students should be “present” by way of posting comments for ongoing discussions at least three times per week. You should find at least three things to discuss each of those times. That means that as I review posting data, I should see 9 postings per week per student. There are 14 weeks in the semester so the minimum acceptable number of postings is 126. Participation is required and is worth 40 points toward your final grade. The more “visible” you are, the better. In this online format, dismissal with a grade of “AW” will occur if:
ü an enrolled student fails to complete the initial log-in by the designated day and time.
ü An enrolled student does not post responses, comments, or questions for purposes of the discussion format for two weeks.
If you participate one week and disappear the next then return the week after and disappear again for another week, you
have missed two weeks of posting/discussion. You cannot “make up” discussion missed.
ü the student fails to submit two assignments as specified.
In cases of extended illness or serious accident, the instructor will decide whether or not it will be possible for a student to successfully complete course requirements. Documentation is required to request consideration in such a case.
This format requires that students have access to a computer that is compatible with the type of technology used for the course. Any questions regarding technological problems should be referred to the Distance Learning Help Desk.
All HCC policies are in effect regarding academic honesty. Please be sure to review these in your Student Handbook. Your work is to be done by you unless a collaborative effort is assigned and approved. DO NOT use someone else’s words as your own. This is plagiarism and will result in a most negative consequence. If you are unsure as to what constitutes plagiarism, you can access the rules or original writing at www.owl.english.purdue.edu or obtain resources at the Learning Center. If you are considering using plagiarism tools available to you online, DON’T.
NOTE: Students who turn in written work without proper citations or a works cited page will receive a zero for that assignment.
STUDENT CONDUCT
It is expected that the learning environment will be positive and productive. Therefore, inappropriate and/or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated. Students will communicate in an appropriate and professional manner at all times. Use of profanity is prohibited.
FINAL EXAM
The final exam, if scheduled for this class, will be given during finals week which is scheduled as noted on the course outline. MARK THIS IN YOUR CALENDARS NOW. THE FINAL MUST BE TAKEN WHEN SCHEDULED.