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Criminal Justice Policy Making: Federal Roles and Processes
Barbara Ann Stolz  More Info

Although not required for this course, the book description of Criminal Justice Policy Making: Federal Roles and Processes says, “The how and why of criminal justice policy making is frequently overlooked in criminal justice texts. Stolz fills that gap with this reader, which introduces students to the study of criminal justice policy making at the federal level by drawing on the discipline of political science. Each chapter includes: BL academic and government publications that acquaint the reader with federal criminal justice policy-making structures and processes BL criminal justice policy-making issues related to each branch of government BL one or more political science frameworks, used to explain how governmental structures and processes affect criminal justice policy.”


Justice Administration: Police, Courts, and Corrections Management (5th Edition)
Kenneth J. Peak  More Info

According to the book description of Justice Administration: Police, Courts, and Corrections Management, Fifth Edition,  it “is the only single-author book of its kind: exploring administration from a systems perspective and examining the organization, operation, personnel roles, functions, issues and practices of the police, courts, and corrections. Drawing on the author’s 35 years of experience, the text offers an authentic and unique real -world perspective. This revision incorporates more than 30 case studies, discussions of future considerations, articles from Law Enforcement News and a new chapter on terrorism and homeland defense. Updated material addresses topics such as the Prison Litigation Reform Act, probation-police partnerships, computer crime and probation, and new technologies.”

A good criminal justice degree will examine all aspects of criminal justice policy.

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Department of Criminal Justice

 Public Policy and Practice in Criminal Justice

CRJU 405

California State University, Fullerton

Spring 2006

 

General Information:

 

Instructor:                    Raymond E. Foster, MPA

Day/Time:                  Monday 7PM to 9:45PM

Location:                     MH 464

Office Hours:                Monday, 4PM to 6PM

Office Location:          UH541

Office Telephone:       (909) 599-7530

Email:                          raymond@hitechcj.com

Main Website:              www.hitechcj.com

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

This course is designed to familiarize students with criminal justice policy by providing an overview of the formation, implementation, quantitative and qualitative evaluation, and ethical aspects of policy making in the criminal justice system.  The course will examine policy in the context of intentions, outcomes and consequences.  Moreover, the course will focus on contemporary and historical issues as a means for examining the various components, methodologies and outcomes.

 

Learning Goals:

 

Students will be able to

 

1.      analyze the context of criminal justice policy making by examining the function of various political, economic, legal, and social influences.

2.      identify points of permeability between the components of the criminal justice system.

3.      explain several current issues facing justice policy makers.

4.      model the flow of discretion, power, and clients in the criminal justice system.

5.      explain how the open nature of the criminal justice system affects policy decisions and outcomes.

6.      discuss the various policy evaluation methodologies.

 

Required Readings:

 

Hancock, B. & Sharp, P. (2004) Public policy, crime, and criminal justice. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 3/e

   

Course Requirements:

 

The following responsibilities apply to all students:

1.                  Attend class and take notes.

2.                  Read and be prepared to discuss the assigned readings by the dates identified in the course syllabus.

3.                  Complete four exams (at fourth week, ninth week (mid-term), Twelfth Week and Seventh Week (final).

4.                  Prepare two, 3-5 page, academically sound, papers on issues identified by the instructor.

5.                  Participate in class and online activities and discussions.

 

Method of Evaluation:

 

Grades:

 

A

94-100%

A-

90-93%

B+

87-89%

B

84-86%

B-

80-83%

C+

77-79%

C

70-76%

D+

67-69%

D

64-66%

D-

60-63%

F

Below 60

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam One                                10%
Exam Two (Mid-Term)            15%
Exam Three                              10%
Final                                         20%
Paper One                                15%
Paper Two                               15%
Participation                             15%
Semester Total                       100%

In accordance with University Policy Statement (UPS) 300.020 the +/- system of grading will be used in this course:

 

Additional Information:

 

Examinations Exam one, exam two (mid-term) and exam three will consist of multiple choice, true-false or short answer questions.  All of the material in the exam one, exam two (mid-term) and exam three will come from the readings, lectures, videos and class discussions and will be cumulative.  An in class review will be conducted prior to all examinations.

 

The final examination will consist of two essay questions and will be cumulative. Five potential final questions are posted on the course website. However, only two of them will be the final examination.  The student should be prepared to answer all five at the time of final because the two questions to be asked will be announced at the final.  Although this is not an open book test, students may use any notes they took during class or while studying during the final examination.  An in class review will be held prior to the final. They must be the students notes refer to the syllabus section on ethical conduct for further information.  The student MUST answer both questions.  Above average and superior responses to the final questions will include sourcing to the readings, lectures, videos and class discussions

 

Papers - Students are required to prepare a two (2) typed, 3-5 page, discussion and analysis of a course related issue. At a minimum, it is expected that the students will produce an academically sound and properly formatted work (APA format is strongly encouraged); with a minimum of three sources, not including the text book.  The instructor will provide more information concerning the papers during class.  The papers will be graded on content as well as exposition.   

 

Extra Credit No extra credit is available for this course.

 

Attendance - Within the university setting, students are expected to attend class on a regular basis and participate in topic discussion to enhance the overall learning experience. As participation is directly related to attendance, students missing four (2) class sessions will not receive any credit for attendance/participation.  Attendance will be recorded by a class roster that will be passed among the students during each class.  It is the students responsibility to sign the roster.

 

Participation  Participation is fifteen percent of the students final grade. Participation will be measured by the use of a student participation log and participation in an online discussion group on class activities. To count toward the final participation grade, the online postings in the threaded discussion must be within 72 hours of the issue discussed in class. The log is available for download at the course website. The students are expected to obtain the log and keep a record of their participation. The log must be handed in at the time of the final. Instructions for accessing the online discussion will be given in class.

 

Masters Students This course is available as an elective for Masters students.  Masters students are expected to produce higher quality and more quantity of work.  Therefore, the course requirements for undergraduate students only amount to 85% of a masters students work load for this course.  The additional 15% of the final grade will be a 5-7 page project paper as assigned by the instructor. 

 

Ethical Conduct - Students should be aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic ethical conduct.  Primarily, we are concerned with cheating and plagiarism. Students who are determined to have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary action as identified within CSUF regulations.  For additional clarification of cheating and/or plagiarism, refer to the CSUF website, the instructor, or University Policy Statement (UPS) 300.21.

 

Website -  The course has two companion websites. At that website the students will find hyperlinks to the readings, important course downloads (such as the syllabus and class log) and hyperlinks to other course related multimedia presentations (such as PowerPoint presentations, short videos, etc). The second website will be used for the online threaded discussion that is part of the participation grade.

Additionally, the course will make use of Blackboard as provided by the university. At Blackboard, most website documents are available and grades will be posted shortly after review.
 

 

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    The Administration and Management of Criminal Justice Organizations: A Book of Readings
    Waveland Press  More Info

    According to the book description of The Administration and Management of Criminal Justice Organizations: A Book of Readings, “Administrators of contemporary criminal justice organizations must balance their finite resources among an ever-changing list of infinite demands. Challenges come from a diverse range of constituent groups within an agency as well as from offenders and the community, often resulting in contradictory requests. The articles in this outstanding collection introduce the reader to the complexity of court, police, and correctional organizations, resulting in an appreciation of the role of the administrator. They question traditional methods and practices as administrators meet the organizational demands of the twenty-first century. These ideas permeate the five sections of the text. The first section places criminal justice organizations in the context of their structure and function. Section two examines the role of the individual by stressing the importance of an individual’s adaptation to organizational composition and demands. Section three covers group behavior, emphasizing the links between formal and informal elements within criminal justice organizations. Section four highlights the importance of criminal justice processes for an understanding of criminal justice administration. Finally, section five examines change within criminal justice organizations, noting that many reforms bring about unintended consequences for both criminal justice administrators and society.”


    Administration of Criminal Justice: Structure, Function, and Process
    Dean J. Champion  More Info

    According to the book description of Administration of Criminal Justice: Structure, Function, and Process, “For Administration of Justice, Justice Administration, and Organization of Justice Systems courses for upper division criminal justice undergraduates who have had a first course in criminal justice. Great length for quarter or semester courses. This comprehensive and up-to-date book examines all aspects of the criminal justice system from an organizational perspective. Key theoretical approaches and concepts are explained together with key terms and organizational principles, models, and typologies. The text also analyzes organizational effectiveness and covers police, court, and corrections organizations in depth to fully illustrate the operations of these justice systems. Including:

    Utilizing the case method of learning, two cases are presented at the conclusion of each chapter for class discussion and paper assignments; Thorough review of key organizational, interpersonal, and individual variables used in the analysis of persons, groups, and institutions throughout the criminal justice system; Comprehensive review of theories of motivation in criminal justice organizations; Up-to-date and interesting box materials supplementing text, featuring key topics and contemporary themes of different dimensions of criminal justice organizations; Personality highlights and commentaries by professionals who work in criminal justice agencies and organizations; Comprehensive overview of theories, models, and typologies used for analyzing organizational structure and change; Extended discussion of both formal and informal communication networks in organizations, including a description of their functions and dysfunctions; Presentation of key leadership theories in organizational analysis, including a balanced discussion of power and authority; Discussion of critical issues in the administration of juvenile justice systems; and, Extensive discussion of organizational effectiveness and how organizations are assessed and evaluated.”

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