Criminal Justice 111 American Criminal Justice
Joel Powell powell@mnstate.edu
Campus Office Hours: M,W 10:30-12:00 and 1:30-4:30 Best phone: (218) 233-1174
What You Will Need for This Class
1) You need a working knowledge of D2L (Brightspace). You need consistent access to the Internet.
2) You need an e-mail account that you can check regularly. It should be the account at which you received your first e-mail from me (most likely your mnstate address).
3) You will need access to Netflix a few times.
4) There are no textbooks for this class.
Rules
Advisory
This class contains material that is highly critical of government institutions, and presents many images of people in distress.
Pay attention to the rules. Knowing rules now saves trouble later.
1) Do not use any AI for any reason. Do not use it to edit your comments or answers on questions. Do not google questions from this class to see what the AI generated answers are. It won't help. I regularly check student material with AI and plagiarism detectors. Your best bet is to use your own thoughts and preparation, and always write in an informal, conversational style. You can fail the class for violating this rule.
2) Keep up with assignments. You can always make up a quiz, but you cannot make up discussions. You have to complete discussions during the days assigned for discussion.
3) You are responsible for using and maintaining Internet technology for this class. If your computer stops functioning you are still responsible for keeping up with all assignments. Borrow a computer from a friend, go to a library, or use a computer in a lab on campus (if you have computer access limitations be sure to let me know).
4) You are responsible for understanding D2L/Brightspace formats and dealing with any technical issues. You can find help at the MSUM IT desk (218) 477-2603 support@mnstate.edu
5) While dealing with any technical issues related to D2L, you will be responsible for completing assignments and maintaining contact with me by way of e-mail. powell@mnstate.edu
Grades: You will earn points toward the final grade by completing quizzes and threaded discussion.
When in doubt write more. I will be trying to determine if you made a sincere effort to complete the films, understand them, and react to them. I want your quiz answers to be complete. The quizzes will be completely open notes -- you can and should use the video recordings of the class to complete quizzes.
Grade Points: You will see the possible number of points for each assignment. Discussions will often count more points than quizzes. Remember that you can make up quizzes, but you must complete discussions during the discussion days. You can''t make up discussions.
Quizzes: All quizzes will be online. You can use the recorded class and/or your notes for all quizzes. Your job will be to answer as clearly and completely as you can.
Discussions: In discussions, your first goal will be to show that you watched and understood the lesson material (mostly documentary films). Your second goal will be to engage in meaningful discussion with your classmates. Your best strategy is to treat discussions as if you working with others to arrive at good answers to the questions.
There are Youtube videos to help you figure out D2L discussion. Here is one that might be helpful. Here is another. But be sure to call me if you need more help getting started.
1) Join any discussion you want to. Join as many discussions as you like.
2) START EARLY! In the first two days of discussion you should post at least one answer and one reply. Check back often to see if others have responded and to make more comments on more questions. If you show up for the first time close to the end of discussion you will be unable to create the discussions you need to make a good grade.
3) Use all of the discussion time available. You should make some comments, read comments, respond, and check back to see if you can add to discussion again. Don't answer all the questions in one post. Instead, answer a couple of questions (start anywhere) then check back often to see if you have responses. Back and forth discussion is what you are trying for.
4) DO NOT POST COMMENTS GENERATED BY CHATGPT OR OTHER SOFTWARE. It won't help. You are supposed to do the assignments and discuss. The AI generators have software that identifies content that looks like it is generated by AI. Keep your discussion posts conversational in tone. If I think that any your content has been generated by AI I will award a 0 for the assignment. So do your best to make me think your content is original. Once again, an informal and interactive style is the best way to discuss and answer quiz questions.
Here is how I will grade Discussion Assignments: When we have a lesson that requires discussion, I will assign a number of points for your participation. Your responses should be well organized and thoughtful. Responses should also be respectful and helpful (this is common sense as well as common courtesy – this is class, not Reddit). Not everyone will agree on various issues in this course, but everyone can engage in intelligent discussion.
Now that you have read most of the syllabus, you are awarded the secret, extra credit phrase -- Terry Stop.
A or A- Excellent Work
· Your posts are in on time. They contain ideas relevant to the assignment
· You are answering all or most of the questions, or you are well-engaged with others on several questions
· You are posting your own, and you are replying to others
· Where appropriate, are trying to master the vocabulary of the lesson material
· When you offer a disagreement or criticism, it is polite and constructive
· Where appropriate, you are defending your position
This is also important – you encourage others. There is a lot right and nothing wrong with telling your discussion mates that their contributions are worthwhile, smart, or thoughtful.
B or B- Good work
· Posts are on time and you are trying to engage
· Posts contain thoughtful, substantive ideas concerning assignment
· Any critiques are constructive
C or C- or below Needs work
· Your answer is posted but is brief or does not fully address the assignment
· You are offering little in the way of thoughtful, substantive ideas concerning the assignment and/or course content related to it.
· You are offering too brief, disorganized, or less constructive discussion
Grade Reporting
The ongoing, D2L/Brightspace record of your grade may not always be accurate.. Keep track of your total points by checking feedback on your written assignments.
Course Description: The importance of race, ethnicity, and gender in criminal justice processes.
Introduction: This class is about issues in crime and justice – especially controversies involving race and ethnicity. Students will study issues of equality under the law, problems in enforcing the rule of law, and the limitations of the criminal justice system for promoting equality. Students will also learn about connections between race, ethnicity, gender, and crime, and how social scientists study those connections.
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LASC Area 2
This course is a critical thinking course in LASC. Learning goals include developing thinking skills to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. To integrate new skills into customary ways of thinking, students will be practicing thinking skills and applying these skills to open-ended problems. The desired outcomes for students from the University Liberal Arts Curriculum:
Goal 2: Critical Thinking: To develop thinkers who are able to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. Critical thinking will be taught and used throughout the general education curriculum in order to develop students' awareness of their own thinking and problem-solving procedures. To integrate new skills into their customary ways of thinking, students must be actively engaged in practicing thinking skills and applying them to open-ended problems Below are the old learning objectives:
Gather factual information and apply it to a problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
Analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them.
Recognize and articulate the value assumptions which underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by ourselves and others.
Please read the following for information regarding University Policies and Resources available to help you succeed in this course and at MSUM.
University Policies
As a student of MSUM, you are expected to be familiar with all University policies. These can be found in the Policies & Procedures section of the Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
MSUM provides multiple student support services to help you through your academic career here. · See the Academic & Student Support Services page for a list of available student services and contact information. · See the Technical Requirements & Support page for a list of campus supported technologies and details about how/where to find tech help. Links to the privacy policies and accessibility statements for the course software are also available on this page.
Links to student support services are also available to you on the course navigation bar under Resources/Help.
Accessibility & Accommodations Services
Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students and strives to make courses inclusive and accessible in accordance with sections 504 and 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Minnesota RISE Act, Statute, 135A.163. The University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Accessibility Resources (AR) is available to facilitate a range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a disability, you can request assistance by contacting AR at 218-477-2167 (voice), 218-477-2420 (fax) or accessibility@mnstate.edu (email). Once eligibility has been determined, students register with AR every semester to activate their approved accommodations. Although a student may request an accommodation at any time, it is best to initiate the application process at least four weeks before a student wishes to receive an accommodation. Students may begin the accommodation process by submitting a Request for Accommodations. Please contact the Director of Accessibility Resources, Chuck Eade, at Charles.Eade@mnstate.edu. Additional information is available on the AR website: http://www.mnstate.edu/accessibility.
Safety & Procedural Information
Sexual Violence Prevention Statement
Acts of sexual violence are intolerable. MSUM expects all members of the campus community to act in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. We are committed to eliminating all acts of sexual violence.
MSUM faculty and staff are concerned about the well-being and development of our students. We are obligated to share information with the MSUM Title IX Coordinator in certain situations to help ensure that the students’ safety and welfare is being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law. These disclosures include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.
If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, services and resources are available. You may also choose to file a report. For further information, contact the Dean of Students, Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack, located in Flora Frick 153 (218-477-4222 or via email: kara.gravleystack@mnstate.edu). Additional information is available online mnstate.edu/titleix.
Bias Incident Statement
A bias incident is an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation that is motivated in whole or in part by bias based on an individual's or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or familial status.
If you are a student who has experienced or witnessed a hate or bias incident, we want to address the incident and provide you with resources. Contact the Campus Diversity Officer, Jered Pigeon (jered.pigeon@mnstate.edu, 218-477-2047, 114 CMU) or the Dean of Students, Kara Gravley-Stack (kara.gravleystack@mnstate.edu, 218-477-4222, 153 Flora Frick Hall).
Student Grievance/Complaint Process
This general procedure is applicable only to those administrative actions for which no special grievance procedure has been established. Special procedures have been established for certain academic (e.g., graduation, grades), student conduct, discrimination/harassment, and employment related matters. Students desiring to appeal actions or procedures of University administrative offices must meet with the following officials, continuing up the hierarchy as necessary to resolve the issues.
Academic Affairs
1. Department Chair of the academic discipline in which the problem arose
2. Dean of that college discipline
3. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
4. President
Administrative Affairs
1. Director of specific area
2. Vice President for Administrative Affairs
3. President
Student Affairs
1. Director of specific area
2. Vice President for Student Affairs
3. President This process can also be found in the Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook.
Building Emergency Plans
Building emergency floor plans showing exit routes, severe weather safe areas, shelter in place locations
and areas of refuge are conspicuously located in classrooms, labs, conference rooms, departmental main
offices, and residence halls. The Emergency Preparedness Guides (flip style booklets) are located in the same areas and available on the MSUM Public Safety Website. Please review the emergency plans and
guide so you know how to respond in an emergency to help protect yourself and others. If you have questions, please contact Ryan Nelson, Director of Public Safety, at ryan.nelson@mnstate.edu or 218-477-5869. https://www.mnstate.edu/public-safety/
Professional Ethics & Academic Honesty
The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. In academic work, students are expected to present original ideas and give credit for the ideas of others. The value of a college degree depends on the integrity of the work completed by the student.
Work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with the Minnesota State University academic honesty policy. For a complete listing of student policies, the MSUM Student Handbook is available online.
Academic dishonesty may result not only in failure in the course, but in suspension or dismissal from the College. The following areas are violations and subject to the dishonesty charge:
1. Cheating on tests, papers, etc.
2. Plagiarism, i.e., using words, ideas, writing, or work of another without giving appropriate credit (Plagiarism is copying someone else’s work or something they have said and using it as your own. This may be copying something word for word or copying someone else’s ideas without citing their name).
3. Improper collaboration between students, i.e., not doing one’s own work on outside assignments specified as group projects by the instructor.
When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a failing grade may be assigned for the course in which the student cheated. Instructors also may choose to report the offense, the evidence, and their action to the Dean of their college or the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor (or any other person)