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CRMJ 2359 (previously CRMJ 2200) Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CRMJ 2359 (previously CRMJ 2200) - Correctional Administration

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course provides context of corrections history to goals and philosophies of correctional management. The course uses contemporary theory, research and practice. It examines offender classifications, programs and services, the institutional environment, and the functions and management of correctional staff.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  1. Understand terminology of corrections and corrections administration.
  2. Reflect on case studies from the corrections environment for solutions to substantive issues.
  3. Discuss how to deal with issues and challenges likely to confront corrections administrators.
  4. Use knowledge and resources to respond to a problem, and develop solutions in the corrections environment. 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Completion of learning support competencies or appropriate entrance scores.

Course Topics:

Course Topic #1: Correctional Administration: Past to Present
Course Topic #2: Theories of Leadership and Management
Course topic #3: Leadership and Management of Corrections
Course Topic #4: Setting the Tone: Vision, Mission, and Strategic Planning
Course Topic #5: The Role of Staff in Corrections
Course Topic #6: Human Resource Management for Corrections
Course Topic #7: Staff and Organization Functions
Course Topic #8: Supervising and Empowering Employees
Course Topic #9: Fiscal Management and the Challenge of Cost Containment
Course Topic #10: Managing Risk Through Offender Classification
Course Topic #11: Managing the External Environment
Course Topic #12: Managing Security in Prisons
Course Topic #13: Managing Programs in Prisons
Course Topic #14: Managing Basic Services in Prisons
Course Topic #15: Critical Issues for Correctional Administration
Course Topic #16: The Future and Correctional Administration 

Specific Course Requirements:

Microsoft Word must be used in submitting ALL course assignments.

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:

Common applications you might need: To read a PDF file download the latest version of Adobe Reader here . Don't have Microsoft Word? Explore an alternative OpenOffice here

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:

Students will take exams online. Exams will be timed and will be a combination of multiple choice and short essay. Students should be prepared not to be interrupted while taking the exam so that their time will not expire. Be in a quiet place without distractions. Students will be allowed three hours to take each exam. It is strongly suggested that students not wait until the last hours to begin their exam. Exams will be cutoff at 11:55 pm (just 5 minutes before 12:00 midnight). Starting an exam at 9:00 pm should be ample time for completion.

This course consists of 12 modules. Each module will have reading assignments, Discussion and Reflection writing activities. Exams will be given at midterm and the final exam. 

Grading Procedures:
Grading Scale:
Point RangeAssigned Grade
720- 800 PointsA
640-719 Points B
559-639 Points C
478-558 Points D
below 478 PointsF

 

Assignments and Projects:

Discussion Topics to be posted on the Discussion Board: You are required to participate in twelve discussion board topics. You will post to the instructor’s module post and to at least one student’s post for a total of two posts each Discussion Topic. Discussions will reflect the current required reading assignments. You are required to participate during the scheduled time period of the discussion in order to be eligible for full credit. Participation will be evaluated for knowledge of reading assignments, demonstration of critical thinking, and respectful and considerate behavior toward others’ opinions. 1 2 topics @ 2 posts each, 10pts each = 240 pts.

Discussion Grade Rubric
Students must respond to the instructor’s original posting each week and to a classmate’s posting in order to receive full credit for Discussion submissions. Students’ discussion post must be sufficient length; posts must respond to the original question with sufficient detail or argument; and the posts must follow proper online netiquette. The length of Discussion posts in your response to the instructor must be 150 words and to classmates 75 words. (For reference, this paragraph is approximately 150 words). Students may earn a maximum of 10 points for the week through the Discussion tab. Use the following rubric to clarify, for grade points credit, students reply to the original post by the instructor and post to a classmate at least once each week. The original posts must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (please adjust for your time zone). 

Criteria No credit = 0 pts.Acceptable = 5 pts.Full credit = 10 pts
FrequencyNo participation Posted to original posting at least once Posted to original posting and classmates posting at least once
Timeliness No participation Posts completed by Thursday deadline.Original posts are completed by Thursday deadline. 
Quality of PostsNo participation 

Single post accomplished the following:

1. answered the question or answered all parts of a multipart question

2. Met minimum word requirement.

Two posts accomplished the following:

1. answered the question or answered all parts of a multipart question

2. Met minimum word requirement.

Supporting Argument No participation All posts provided references and had used valid reasoning for the position taken. All posts provided references and had used valid reasoning for the position taken.
Responses to classmates No participation Accomplished one of the following:
1. Sufficient detail
2. Logical arguments
3. Proper netiquette. (Rude responses will result in loss of any credit). 
All responses accomplished one of the following:
1. Sufficient detail
2. Logical arguments
3. Proper netiquette. (Rude responses will result in loss of any credit). 

Module Summary and Reflection: You are required to summarize and reflect on your work in each module, that is, highlights of what you learned, how you are feeling about the materials, and what else you want to know. 12 reflections @ 10pts each = 120 pts.

Quizzes: You are required to complete quizzes for each module. 12 quizzes @ 10pts each = 120 pts

Paper: You will write a five page paper on an issue of evidence-based practice in corrections administration. Use social science format and APA writing style. (More on the paper requirement is described in a topic element below this syllabus topic) = 100pts.

Exams: Exams will be timed, will be taken online, and will be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short discussion. 2 Exams (midterm & final) @ 110pts each = 220 pts 

Total Points = 800

Assignment Task Number of Assignments Points
Discussions 12 topics with 2 posts each @ 10 pts each 240 
Module summary & reflection 12 reflections @ 10 pts each 120 
Quizzes12 quizzes @ 10 pts each120 
Paper1 research paper @ 100pts100 
Exams (midterm & final)2 exams @ 110 pts each 220 
Total Points  800 

 

Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of this course; students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource; students must check the course Home Page frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion board postings. 

Late Policy:

You will be able to work on this course any time of day or night. However, please be punctual and observe the deadlines for your assignments, discussions, and exams. 

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