Course Syllabus Essay

Course Description This course examines the history and issues of federal- and state-level crime control initiatives and explores the development of effective anticrime policies. The analysis of contemporary crime control policies is included. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Marion, N. E., & Oliver, W. M. (2006). The public policy of crime and criminal justice. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Dunn, W. N. (2008). Public policy analysis: An introduction (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Public Policy Foundations and Views in Criminal Justice Details Due Points Objectives 1.1 Evaluate the role of the United States constitution in relationship to the development of contemporary criminal justice policy. 1.2 Differentiate between the roles of federal and state government in the development and implementation of criminal justice policy. 1.3 Distinguish between legislatively based policy and administrative regulatory policy as they relate to crime and criminal justice. 1.4 Compare and contrast the rights of the accused with the policy mission of protecting the public from criminal behavior. 1.5 Differentiate between factors that affect criminal justice policy making. Readings Read this week’s Read Me First. Read Ch. 1–3 of The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice. Read Ch. 1 of Public Policy Analysis – An Introduction. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the following documents on the student web page. Learning Team Toolkit Toolkit Essentials Why Learning Teams? Team Basics Getting Started Getting to Results Project Planning Decisions/Conflict Resolution Team Learning Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. 5-13-14 Prior to 6pm Participation Participate in class discussion. 5-13-14 in class 4 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions (Listed at the end of the syllabus). n/a n/a Learning Team Instructions Select Learning Team members who will work together throughout the course. Create a Learning Team Log and a Learning Team Charter. (these must be submitted to the learning team forum no later than 5-20-14 prior to Week 2 class). Review this week’s objectives and those for week two. Review the Learning Team Assignment for week two and begin to outline your first assignment. 5-13-14 in class LTL and LTC 5-20-14 by 6pm Individual Policy Analysis I Paper Choose a current federal, state, or local issue that directly affects public policy pertaining to the criminal justice system. For example: sentencing guidelines, prison overcrowding, medical marijuana, immigration, or police discretion. Prepare a 700-1050-word paper in which you analyze the issue and related policy. Be sure to address to following points in your analysis (see the rubric in the instructor policy document for point distribution and requirements). Be prepared to discuss you paper in class. Describe the issue. Is this policy a regulatory or legislative-initiated policy? Who initiated the issue or policy Is there a constitutional issue How will the issue or policy affect the community, the accused, and the victims Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper. Please name the paper with your full last name followed by â€Å"week1†: 5-13-14 by 6pm 10 Week Two: Policy Differences in Approach for Policing, Judicial Action, and Correctional Practices Details Due Points Objectives 2 2.1 Differentiate between policy perspectives among the police, courts, and corrections at the federal and state level. 2.2 Analyze the historical evolution of criminal justice policy relating to policing, the courts, and corrections over the past 50 years. 2.3 Identify opportunities for cooperation between elements of the criminal justice system in the implementation of criminal justice policy. Readings Read this week’s Read Me First. Read Ch. 10–12 of The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. 5-20-14 by 6pm Participation Participate in class discussion. 5-20-14 in class 4 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions (Listed at the end of the syllabus). n/a n/a Nongraded Activities and Preparation Familiarize yourself with the following websites: http://www.crimelibrary.com/ http://www.crimetheory.com/ 5-20-14 by 6pm Learning Team Instructions Review this week’s objectives and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen. Submit the Learning Team Log and the Learning Team Charter. Prepare the Learning Team Log. Review the Learning Team Assignment: Historical Policy Comparison. 5-20-14 by 6pm Individual Federal vs. State Policy Comparison Prepare a 1,050-1,750 – word paper in which you compare and contrast the differences and similarities of federal and state government as it pertains to their role in the implementation of criminal justice policies. Be prepared to make a 3-5 minute presentation on your paper in class. You may take one of two approaches. You may identify a single policy/issue and discuss how the state vs. federal government addressed it, for example: states that have legalized marijuana vs. the federal law on marijuana, or Arizona’s immigration laws vs. federal immigration law, or state laws on drug trafficking vs. federal laws on drug trafficking. You must address all aspects of policy development and implementation. Or you may compare and contrast the policy development and implementation process in general, of the state government vs. the federal government. Be sure to address all aspects of policy development and implementation. (See the rubric in the instructor policy document for point distribution and requirements). Identify the criminal justice policy. Identify what roles the state and federal government play in this policy. Identify the similarities and differences. Be sure to address all aspects of policy development and implementation. Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper. Please name the paper with your full last name followed by â€Å"week2 5-20-14 by 6pm 10 Learning Team Policy Analysis II Paper Prepare a 1,400-2,100-word paper in which you conduct secondary research on the policies of two components of the criminal justice system and describe how these policies affect the operations and decision-making process of the selected two components. Be sure to summarize the policies and analyze their implications for the criminal justice system, including potential effectiveness and limitations. For example, some prosecutor’s offices may have an unwritten policy of avoiding prosecution for possession of small amounts of drugs. How does this affect police operations, arrest rates, and public perceptions of the police? Prepare a 7-10 minute presentation of your paper for class. Properly cite your references consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper along with a learning team evaluation form from each team member. Also go to the learning team  forum and acknowledge your participation. Your assignment WILL NOT be considered complete without all team members finishing these details. Please name the paper with your Learning Group name followed by â€Å"week2†. 5-20-14 by 6pm 10 Week Three: Effective and Ineffective Policy Making in Response to Crime Details Due Points Objectives 3 3.1 Analyze effective and ineffective criminal justice initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels that have had historical significance. 3.2 Discuss goals in the criminal justice system that policy attempts to achieve. Readings Read this week’s Read Me First. Read Ch. 4, 5, 7, & 9 of The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. 5-27-14 by 6pm Participation Participate in class discussion. 5-27-14 in class 4 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions (Listed at the end of the syllabus). n/a n/a Learning Team Instructions Review this week’s objectives and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen. Submit the appropriate completed sections of your Learning Team Logs. Prepare your Learning Team Log. Review the Learning Team Assignment: Budget and Policy Paper. 5-27-14 by 6pm Individual Policy Analysis III—Compare and Contrast Paper Select a policy to analyze. Then, prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper in which you summarize the policy to include how aspects of the conflict and crime control model AND the consensus and due process model impact the effectiveness and/or relevance of the policy. OR, you may compare/contrast two policies, one that illustrates the conflict and crime control model and the other impacted by the consensus and due process model. Be prepared to make a 3-5 minute presentation in class. Address the following questions: Describe the policy/s What role does law enforcement play in these policies? What roles do the prosecutor and courts play in these policies? What role does corrections play in these policies? Is there a difference between federal application and state and local application of policies? Identify elements of both models. What is your opinion of the various policies? Explain in detail How can we measure the effectiveness of these policies? Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper. Please name the paper with your full last name followed by â€Å"week3†. 5-27-14 by 6pm 10 Learning Team Historical Policy Comparison Prepare a 1050-1400-word paper in which you conduct a comparative analysis of the evolution of criminal justice policy over the last 50 years for each of the three areas in criminal justice. In your comparative analysis address  the areas of policing, the courts, and corrections and identify the various opportunities for cooperation between elements of the criminal justice system in the implementation of criminal justice policy? Examples include the evolution of DUI enforcement, the evolution of the use of forensic evidence (trace evidence, DNA), the evolution of witness identification, or the evolution of sex crimes enforcement and punishment) Prepare a 7-10 minute team presentation to be given in class. Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper along with a learning team evaluation form from each team member. Also go to the learning team forum and acknowledge your participation. Your assignment WILL NOT be considered complete without all team members finishing these details. Please name the paper with your Learning Group name followed by â€Å"week3†. 5-27-14 by 6pm 10 Week Four: Political Impacts upon Criminal Justice Policy Details Due Points Objectives 4 4.1 Determine the impact of politics on the budgetary process. 4 .2 Evaluate the relationship between fiscal resources and the development and implementation of criminal justice policy. Readings Read this week’s Read Me First. Read Ch. 6 of Public Policy Analysis – An Introduction. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings Participation Participate in class discussion. 6-3-14 in class 4 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions (Listed at the end of the syllabus). n/a n/a Learning Team Instructions Review this week’s objectives and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen. Submit the appropriate completed sections of your Learning Team Logs. Prepare your Learning Team Log. 6-3-14 by 6pm Learning Team Budget and Policy Paper Select a policy issue from the following list: DUI task forces Plea bargaining Offender reentry/integration Victim assistance Immigration War on drugs War on terrorism Prepare a 1,400-1,750-word paper in which you: Summarize the goals in the criminal justice system that your selected policy attempts to achieve. Analyze the effective and ineffective initiatives associated with your selected policy Identify any historical significance that may have impact. Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper along with a learning team evaluation form from each team member. Also go to the learning team forum and acknowledge your participation. Your assignment WILL NOT be  considered complete without all team members finishing these details. Please name the paper with your Learning Group name followed by â€Å"week4†. 6-3-14 by 6pm 10 Week Five: Globalization of Criminal Justice Policy Details Due Points Objectives 5 5.1 Explain the globalization of criminal justice policy in relationship to contemporary issues. 5.2 Predict the effects of globalization on the development of criminal justice policy in the future. Readings Read this week’s Read Me First. Read Ch. 4 of Public Policy Analysis – An Introduction. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. 6-10-14 by 6pm Participation Participate in class discussion. 6-10-14 in class 4 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions (Listed at the end of the syllabus). 6-10-14 by 6pm n/a Learning Team Instructions Submit your Learning Team Log. Submit your Learning Team Evaluation. Each team member must submit a separate copy to the instructor. 6-10-14 by 6pm Individual Policy Development Paper Select one of the following topics for your paper in which you will develop your own policy to address your chosen issue: Community-Oriented Policing Terrorism–Security Policy for Large Events Leave Policy for officers to work with governments in foreign countries Domestic Violence Policy Elder Abuse Policy Human Trafficking Policy Sex Trafficking Organized Crime Policy Cyberspace/Technology Policy Educational and Training Policy for officers, mid-level managers and executives Reducing prison overcrowding Prepare a 2,100-2,800- word paper in which you research the relevant statistics, facts, resources, and public opinions to develop your own local, statewide, or federal policy recommendation related to the topic you selected. Be prepared to make a7-10 minute presentation on your paper, to include a PowerPoint, outlining your paper and its significant policy recommendation. (If you have a topic in mind that isn’t listed consult your instructor.) You must Include: Your specific identified policy recommendation/s and/or proposal – what is it, and is it city, state, federal? What is the rationale for the proposal or recommendation – why is it relevant and important? What is the impact on contemporary criminal justice issues? What will the impact be in the context of globalization? Your stakeholders and their positions and opinions (politicians judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys, correctional officers, law enforcement  officers/administrators, victims, advocates, and many others) Statistical, factual, public opinion and historical information, which supports your policy claim Obstacles and support for your policy Politics that may impact your policy and how you might address this Cite your references properly consistent with APA guidelines. A certificate of originality should be submitted with your paper. Please name the paper with your last name followed by â€Å"week5†. Note. In addition to the University Library, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service has many articles reflecting contemporary criminal justice policies. http://www.ncjrs.gov 6-10-14 by 6pm 20 14 points on the paper, 6 points on the PP presentation Optional Discussion Questions Week One Discussion Questions What are the steps of developing a policy within the criminal justice arena? How does the United States constitution impact the development of criminal justice policy? Is there a better way in which policy can be developed? Explain. What is the role of state government in criminal justice policy development and implementation? How does the role of the federal government differ from that of state government? What changes would you recommend that would improve the overall process of criminal justice policy development and implementation? What is a legislatively based policy? What is an administrative regulatory policy? How do these various policies impact the criminal justice system?  Compare and contrast the criteria for these two policy types and their impact within the criminal justice system. Explain your answer. What are the rights of the accused? How are these rights affected with regard to the policy mission of protecting the public? What would happen if these rights were not upheld? Explain. What items affect the development criminal justice policy? How are these items addressed and overcome during the development process? What changes to the process would you recommend to improve policy development. Week Two Discussion Questions What is an example of a policy within the courts, police, and corrections at the state level? What is the difference between policy among the courts, police, and corrections at the federal level? Is there a better solution to the way in which these groups approach policy development at a state and/or federal level? Explain. What is the historical evolution of policy within the criminal justice system? How has the approach to policy within the criminal justice system changed over the last 50 years? Compare and contrast the criteria of early criminal justice policy and current criminal justice policy. What is the definition of policy implementation? How can policy implementation improve for better cooperation within the various elements of the criminal justice system? What opportunities for improvement would you recommend for successful policy implementation? Week Three Discussion Questions What are effective criminal justice initiatives at the state level? What are effective criminal justice initiatives at the federal level? How have historical initiatives impacted the criminal justice system currently? Is there a better way to improve criminal justice initiatives at the local,  state, and federal levels? Explain? What are the goals of policy within the criminal justice system? How do these goals contribute to success? How can the goals of a policy be improved to be more effective? Explain. Week Four Discussion Questions What is an example of politics as it relates to budgetary initiatives in criminal justice? How do politics impact budgetary processes? What would happen if politics were more/less involved in the process? Explain. What resources are associated with criminal justice policy development? How do these resources impact the development of criminal justice policy development? How can we improve the relationship between fiscal resources and the development/implementation of criminal justice policy? What are your recommendations? Week Five Discussion Questions What is the impact of globalization on criminal justice policy? How does this affect the development of criminal justice policy? What changes to global criminal justice policy would you suggest/recommend? What are current/contemporary issues that affect criminal justice policy? How do these issues relate to the overall development/implementation of policy? What would happen if globalization wasn’t considered when developing/implementing criminal justice policy? Explain.