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CRMJ 2020 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course explores the history of the development of corrections; survey of current prison conditions and operations, including pre-release, probation and parole. 

Course Outcomes:

After completing the course students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the advent and history of prisons in America.
  2. Explain the differences in correctional ideologies.
  3. Discuss criminal sentencing, the process and the different types of sentences.
  4. Recognize the realities versus the myths of judicial review.
  5. Identify the difference between prison and jails.
  6. Identify the difference between probation, intermediate sentences and parole.
  7. Discuss the issues with imprisonment.
  8. Recognize the differences between the state, federal and private prison systems.
  9. Discuss the issues surrounding the management of prisons.
  10. Discuss the differences in needs and treatment of men, women and juveniles.
  11. Discuss the needs of special offenders in prison.
  12. Recognize the realities and myths of the death penalty.
  13. Explain the difference between parole and probation and discuss the pros and cons of parole.
  14. Identify the issues surrounding the future of corrections.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:

Module 1 - Historical Perspective, Chapters 1, 2, & 3, Assignment 1, Professor Discussion 1 & Exam 1

Module 2 - Sentencing and the Appeals Process, Chapter 4. Assignment 2, Professor Discussion 2 & Exam 2

Module 3 - Alternative to Imprisonment, Chapters 9, 5, & 6, Assignment 3, Professor Discussion 3 & Exam 3

Module 4 - Correctional Systems (1), Chapters 10, Assignment 4, Professor Discussion 4 & Exam 4

Module 5- Correctional Systems (2), Chapters 11 & 12, Assignment 5, Professor Discussion 5 & Exam 5

Module 6 - Correctional Functions, Chapters 7 & 8, Assignment 6, Professor Discussion 6 & Exam 6

Module 7- Institutional Clients (1), Chapter 16 & 17, Assignment 7, Professor Discussion 7 & Exam 7

Module 8 - Institutional Clients (2), Chapter 18 & 19, Assignment 8, Professor Discussion 8 & Exam 8

Module 9 - Rights of Correctional Clients, Chapter 14 & 15, Assignment 9, Professor Discussion 9 & Exam 9

Module 10 - Reintegration Systems, Chapter 13, Assignment 10, Professor Discussion 10 & Exam 10

NOTE: Please disregard the chapter numbers on the PowerPoint slides. They will not match up with the assigned reading each week but the material covered in the Powerpoint slides is consistent with the assigned book material.

Specific Course Requirements:

A basic knowledge of the Work Wide Web and computer navigation is necessary.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
  • Word for Windows will be needed to submit assignments. 
  • Microsoft Power Point is required to view the Power Point Presentations.
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Each student will complete ten (10) exams. The exam will open at 12:00am on Monday of each assigned week. The exam will close at 11:59pm on Sunday of each assigned week. (Please refer to the calendar for due dates). The Exams will cover all material covered in the Module assigned for that week. Students will have 30 minutes to complete each exam. The exam will consist of (25) twenty-five questions. Each question is worth (1) point. The Exams count a total of 250 points towards the final grade. Students will have only (1) one opportunity to complete each exam and submit it to the professor; however, students will be allowed to access the exam for a second time to see their mistakes. It is important that students log on to take Exams at a computer that will not shut down or have problems. If problems occur and the student cannot submit their Exam, they will need to notify the instructor ASAP and second chances will be given at their discretion.

Grading Procedures:

Students are expected to complete all written assignments. Students are expected to log on and post comments/questions on the discussion boards. Students are also required to complete all ten (10) exams in the time allotted by the professor. It is the responsibility of each student to complete these assignments on time. If a due date passes and an assignment is not completed, the student will receive a zero (0) on that assignment or exam. Late assignments are not accepted.

GradesPoint ValueTotal
10 Assignments25 points each250
10 Quizzes25 points each250
10 BONUS Discussions2 points each20
  TOTAL: 520 points
Grading Scale:

There are 20 opportunities to get a grade in this course, 10 Exams and 10 Assignments. Each Assignment and Exam is worth 25 points, The 10 Assignments and 10 Exams combine for a total of 500 points.

The grading scale is as follows
A – 500 – 450,
B – 449 – 400,
C – 399 – 350,
D – 349 – 300,
F – 299 – 0.

Extra Credit:

There is a chance to receive up to 20 points of Extra Credit, on your final grade, for posting comments/questions on the discussion boards. You can receive up to 2 points each week for posting comments on the Professor Discussion question/topic. The comments must be your own thoughtful and insightful ideas. Please do not simply "agree" or "disagree" with someone's posting. This will NOT earn you extra points. This is the only extra credit opportunity in this class. It is a great way to earn some extra points if you made a poor grade on an exam/assignment or to make up for a missed assignment/exam!

Assignments and Projects:

All assignments are posted within each Module. There are ten (10) Assignments, each worth 25 points. Students will be expected to respond to the Assignment by submitting a downloaded answer completed in Word for Windows. All answers are due, in the "dropbox", by 11:59pm on Sunday of the assigned week. The dropbox can be found by clicking on the "dropbox" tab. Once you have clicked on the "dropbox" tab you will come to a page with a list of the module assignments. You will find the appropriate assignment number for that week and click on it. Then, you will select "add new file" and upload the assignment from your computer. After you have hit the upload button you have successfully submitted your assignment to the dropbox.

Class Participation:

Each student is expected to log on to the class a minimum of (3) three times a week for a total of three hours. Students are expected to complete all reading assignments, web page assignments, professor discussions, written assignments, and exams by the due dates posted in the calendar and respective links. Students are expected to share comments regarding the professor topic/question in a mature and respectful manner. To create a student posted discussion, students should click on the "compose" button. To reply to other student posted discussions, students should click on the "reply" button.

Late Policy:

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021