Introduction to Criminal Justice JUST 1000 Section 003 Fall 2013 East Carolina University College of Human Ecology Department of Criminal Justice Instructor Dr Patrick R Cundiff Email cundiffp ecu edu Office Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 00pm 4 30pm Office 246 Rivers Building Office Phone 252 737 2419 Class Meetings R 5 30 8 20PM in RW 105 Rivers Addition Undergraduate Course Catalog Description Roles problem areas and suggested program changes for police and law enforcement detention services courts community correctional services and correctional institutions Detailed Course Description This course provides an overview of the American criminal justice system and its responses to crime We will begin with a brief discussion of the historical and philosophical foundations of criminal justice and the nature and extent of crime in the United States with an emphasis on definitions measures and patterns of crime We will then examine the major components of the criminal justice system policing the courts and sentencing and corrections The course will conclude with an examination of the juvenile justice system alternative punishments and the reentry of offenders into the community Throughout the course we will discuss the role of decision making by criminal justice agencies and actors the interrelated nature of the components that make up the criminal justice system and the inherent tension of maintaining a balance between societal protection and citizens rights UCC Course Objectives To provide a basic understanding of criminal justice concepts principles and procedures To examine decision making in the criminal justice system To provide students with a working knowledge of the criminal justice process including how offenders and their cases enter and progress through the system To educate students about the structure and function of police courts and corrections To investigate the myths and realities of crime and criminal justice To train students to critically assess information and news about crime and criminal justice Required Reading Fagin James A 2014 CJ2013 New Jersey Pearson Education Inc ISBN 978 0 13 296127 1 Some supplemental articles handouts online resources and other multimedia may be used throughout the course any additional readings used will be available on Blackboard Resources for Students Center for Counseling and Student Development 252 328 6661 Pirate Tutoring Center PWC 252 737 3009 tutoring ecu edu University Writing Center 252 328 2820 writingcenter ecu edu 1 Class requirements and grading Because this section meets just once per week the amount of reading and the pace at which we progress throughout the semester will differ from a course that would meet multiple times per week The reading will be equivalent to what you would be expected to read in a week however the major difference is that all of the reading must be completed prior to each week s class As we only meet once per week it can be easy to put off reading for other courses that meet more frequently I would strongly advise against this as it becomes easy to fall behind Your grade in this class is based on your performance on three exams two short writing assignments attendance and class participation Please note that the schedule at the end of the syllabus is a working draft and readings may be added or removed Attendance Attendance is a crucial component to success in this course and will make up 5 of your final grade As this course only meets 14 times over the course of the semester you may have only one 1 unexcused absence without any penalty though you should not take advantage of these unless it is absolutely necessary If you are late or absent for any reason you are responsible for the material that you have missed Please inform me prior to or immediately following an absence if you have a legitimate documented excuse and do not want to have points deducted from your grade Each unexcused absence after the one freebie will deduct 1 from your grade Students will not be penalized for missing class or examination due to observance of religious holiday A written statement must be submitted to the instructor prior to the end of the second class meeting if any schedule conflicts exist Participation We will discuss readings and materials on the day they are listed on the course outline so please complete the readings prior to class and come prepared to discuss what you have read Several topics we will cover can be controversial be prepared to express your thoughts and opinions in an educated and respectful manner There will also be several in class activities group discussions etc throughout the course Participation will make up 10 of your final grade Writing assignments You will complete two short writing assignments during the course Assignments should be double spaced Times New Roman size 12 font and include a heading with your name and the date on the first page The grade for each assignment will be primarily based on content but organization grammar and spelling will also be considered The assignments are worth a total of 15 of your final grade Assignment 1 Criminal Justice in Pop Culture 5 of grade Find a piece of popular media that addresses a criminal justice issue that we have discussed in class The media can include almost anything commonly found in popular culture including television shows music literature movies cartoons comics etc Briefly describe the media and explain how it is related to or representative of an issue covered in class Be sure and explain the criminal justice topic clearly before explaining its relationship to the chosen media This paper should be 1 2 pages long and have a copy of the media or the location of the media if hardcopy is not available attached Assignment 2 The Gun Control Debate 7 of grade Gun control has become a hot topic in the wake of recent school violence and would significantly impact the criminal justice system In this assignment I task each of you with presenting both sides of the debate Describe the arguments for and against gun control Following your description of the arguments critically evaluate the arguments Finally conclude the paper by choosing a side of the debate and discussing your choice in detail This paper should be 3 4 pages long be sure to support your arguments and critically analyze each side of this debate 2 Assignment 3 Public versus Private Prisons 10 of grade First find a news article addressing the debate over the