Introduction to Criminal Justice

Crime & Justice Studies 1301

FALL 2005

Professor James W. Marquart

Office: GR 2.804
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 9:30-12:00 p.m. / 3:00-4 p.m.
(or by appointment)
Office Telephone: TBA
e-mail address: marquart@utdallas.edu

Course Description:
• CJ 1301 is an introductory-level course designed to provide students with
an overview of the American criminal justice system. The goal of this
course is to provide you with the knowledge to evaluate and discuss
crime & justice related issues.

Course Objectives:
• To help you understand your own thoughts about crime and justice, and
the world around you through the window of crime and justice.
• To develop a base of knowledge of the criminal justice system that
provides grounding for advanced courses in Crime & Justice Studies and
other social sciences and behavioral.
• To better understand the scientific process as it is reflected in scientific
method, and to understand the degree to which it is reflected in our
criminal justice system.

Special Note Regarding this Semester:

• Taking collegiate level course work can be very demanding. Please
make a regular effort to keep up with the assigned reading, etc.

Attendance:
• Students are expected to attend class. Students have the responsibility
of making arrangements satisfactory to the instructor regarding absences
on test days and when and if homework is due. MAKE-UP QUIZZES OR
EXAMS ARE FROWNED UPON. Written explanations are required and
students must arrangement prior to the absence if possible.
• Attendance during presentations, videos, and guest speakers is
mandatory, the cost of missing one without a university excused
absence is a zero on the points assigned for that day.
• The syllabus is TENTATIVE. The scheduled readings, videos, speakers,
etc. are subject to change. Changes will be posted on Web CT and
announced in class. Please checking when assignments are due.

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Requirements:
• Text: Criminal Justice in Action (Third Edition), Larry Gaines & Roger
Miller, 2005, Wadsworth Publishing.

• Examinations: There will be four multiple choice exams in this course,

and one optional cumulative final.
• The exams for this course will consist of multiple choice and short
answer questions. Failure to take an exam will result in a zero
grade (unless you have been granted permission from the
instructor prior to the exam or have documented evidence of
illness, etc.).
• Please avoid make-up exams. Exams are scheduled well in
advance and you should make plans accordingly.
• All grades will be posted on Web CT. If you have taken all four
exams, and are satisfied with your course grade, do NOT take the
final. If, however, you are not satisfied with your grade, you may
take a cumulative, or “special” final, and substitute one of your
other test grades. Remember, THE FINAL CAN RAISE YOUR
COURSE GRADE.
• Once you sit for any exam, you will receive a grade for that exam
(including the optional cumulative final).
• Please, bring picture identification to each exam.
• Exam questions will be taken from lecture and the text. You will
find daily attendance and note-taking to help in exam preparation.
• In-Class Writing Assignments: These writings will be conducted on
various unannounced days during the course, and will reflect the reading
materials for that day. There will be NO make-up writing assignments.
• Extra Credit: I like make extra credit assignments. In order to be fair,
extra credit will be available to the entire class.

Evaluation:
§ Exam 1: 100 points
§ Exam 2: 100 points
§ Exam 3: 100 points
§ Exam 4: 100 points
§ Exam 5 100 points
§ In-class writing assignments, Internet and other assignments, etc. (as assigned)

Final grades will be awarded according to the following percentage scale:

A: 94 and above A-: 90-93 B+: 87-89 B: 84-86 B-: 80-83
C+: 77-79 C: 74-76 C-: 70-73 D: 60-69 F: 59 and below

Academic Integrity:
• Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and
deception and is an educational objective of this institution.
• For rules and information about Academic Dishonesty see the
following websites:
• www.utdallas/edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html

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Academic Dishonesty:
• This includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarizing (including the
failure to properly cite sources), fabrication of information or citations,
facilitating acts of academic dishonest of others, having unauthorized
possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work
previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the
academic work of other students. Please do your own work.
• ALL violations of academic integrity will be reported to the Dean of
Students.

Disability Services:
• UTD is committed to providing educational opportunities for all persons.
If you anticipate needing accommodations for learning differences, please
let me know. If you require accommodations, please make sure that you
are properly registered with the Disabilities Services Office (972)883-
2070.

• If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course,

please see the Instructor after class or in office hours during the first week
of class. I will appropriate accommodations provided timely notice is
received and the arrangement is consistent with any recommendations
from Disability Services, when applicable.

Course Announcements:
• Course announcements will be made via WebCT. You are responsible for
keeping up with all announcements (e.g., schedule changes, cancellations, etc.).

Tentative Class Schedule:

Changes may be made to this schedule. I will also announce changes in class.
YOU are responsible for all changes (e.g., reading assignments, assignment
deadlines, etc.).

DATE TOPIC CHAPTER

ASSIGNED READ ASSIGNMENTS
BEFORE CLASS!!!!

Aug 23 Orientation to Course and Syllabi

Aug 25 Criminal Justice Today 1
Aug 30 Causes of Crime 2
Sept 1 Defining and Measuring Crime 3
Sept 6 Inside Criminal Law 4
Sept 8 EXAM #1

Sept 13 Law Enforcement Today 5

Sept 15 Challenges to Effective Policing 6
Sept 20 Police and the Constitution 7
Sept 22 Issues in Policing
Sept 27 EXAM #2

Sept 29 Movie – 12 Angry Men

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Oct 4 Movie – 12 Angry Men/Courts and the Quest for Justice 8
Oct 6 Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action 9
Oct 11 Murder Trial - Voir Dire ^
Oct 13 The Criminal Trial 10
Oct 18 Punishment and Sentencing 11
Oct 20 Capital Punishment & Brave Heart and Dead Man Walking
Oct 25 EXAM #3

Oct 27 Extra Credit Day at the Library--

Nov 1 The History of Corrections and Texas
Nov 3 Probation and Community Corrections 12
Nov 8 Prisons and Jails 13
Nov 10 Behind Bars 14
Nov 15 The Juvenile Justice System 15/17
Or Terrorism (speaker Danny Deffenbaugh)
Nov 17 Wrap-Up Corrections and Juvenile Justice / Review for
Fourth Exam
Nov 29 Exam #4

TBA Final Comprehensive Exam #5 (Make-Up Exam for Students)