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Canyon College

online Conduct of Inquiry in Criminology and Criminal Justice course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Conduct of Inquiry in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Revised May 2006

Course Title:CJ565 - Conduct of Inquiry in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Department:Criminal Justice/Criminology
Instructor:Fred A. Sams, JD, BA, AA, CMI, DABLEE  E-Mail - Vitae

Course Overview

This course will provide a broad survey of the nature and essential elements of the sociological mechanics and scientific processes applied to the study of crime, criminalistics, criminology and criminal justice. The scope of this course will range from the examination of historic sociological conditions that precipitated the development of criminal investigation and archaic criminology, to the evolution of the modern crime laboratory and the forensic revolution that essentially married the disciplines of law and science to create an unprecedented multi-faceted approach to criminalistics.

Course Goals

When this course is concluded, the student will have a broad based understanding of criminalistics, criminology and the criminal justice system, and will be able to explain and discuss:
Required Text Online Bookstore

Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives, 10th Edition, by Weston & Lushbaugh. Prentice Hall (Pearson), 2005/2006. ISBN-13: 9780131188594 ISBN: 0131188593

Evaluation Techniques

Practical Assignments

During the course of study, students will be presented with three practical assignments that are independent of the text. The practical assignments will represent a total of 10% of the student’s final grade.

Text Chapter Questions

A series of discussion questions will be found at the end of each chapter in the textbook. Students are required to answer each series of questions and submit them by Saturday of each week. The questions will be graded for accuracy and completeness. The chapter questions will represent a total of 10% of the student’s final grade.

Also found at the end of each chapter will be a library assignment. These assignments should be completed by Saturday of each week. The library assignments will represent a total of 5% of the final grade.

The workbook project, also located at the end of each chapter, students are not required to complete the workbook projects.

Midterm Examination

The midterm examination will be administered upon completion of week four. It will cover all text materials completed through week four and will be comprised of fifty multiple-choice questions. The midterm will represent 15% of the student’s final grade.

Final Examination

The final examination will be administered during week eight of the course. It will be comprised of fifty multiple-choice questions and will be all-inclusive, covering materials from week one through week seven. The final examination will represent 30% of the student’s final grade

Final Paper

The final paper will be due at the end of the eighth week of the course. The paper will be in APA format and must be 4 to 6 pages in length. The topic of the final paper will be decided upon by the end of week six. The topic will be determined by input from the student and must receive final approval by the instructor. All topics must be relevant to the subject matter of the course and have academic credibility. The final paper will represent 25% of the student’s final grade.

Weekly Assignments

Week No.1
Reading Assignment:   Pages 1 through 68
Chapter 1. The Initial Investigation
Chapter 2. Direct and Circumstantial Evidence
Chapter 3. Records of the Crime Scene
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Week No. 2
Reading Assignment: Pages 69 through 136
Chapter 4. Laboratory and Technical Services
Chapter 5. Basic Investigative Leads and Informants
Chapter 6. major Investigative Techniques
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Week No. 3
Reading Assignment: Pages 137 through 190
Chapter 7. Interviewing and the Detection of Deception
Chapter 8. Interrogation of Suspects
Chapter 9. Arresting the Accused Person
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Practical Assignment No 1:
Watch one episode of CSI or CSI Miami. Compare what you have learned about the activities associated with an actual crime lab with those depicted on the CSI show. Use no more than one page, double-spaced, and submit your paper setting forth your comparison no later than Sunday of week three. Value: 3 points of final grade.
Week No. 4
Reading Assignment: Pages 191 through 249
Chapter 10. Physical Assaults
Chapter 11. Sexual Assaults
Chapter 12. Robbery
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Practical Assignment No. 2:
Using library sources or Internet sources. Review the Lindbergh kidnapping and murder. Complete a two paged, double spaced, synopsis of how this case compares with what you have learned in Chapters 10, 11 and 12 of your text. Value: 3.5 points of final grade.
Midterm Exam: Fifty Questions, multiple choice: 15 points of final grade.

Week No. 5
Reading Assignment: Pages 251 through 303
Chapter 13. Arson, bombing and Hate Crimes
Chapter 14. Property Crimes
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Week No. 6
Reading Assignment: Pages 304 through 354
Chapter 15. Dangerous Drugs
Chapter 16. Special Investigations
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Week No. 7
Reading Assignment: Pages 357 through 370
Chapter 17. Investigator As Witness and Ethical Awareness
ASSIGNMENTS: Answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Complete library assignment and workbook project also found at the end of each chapter. These assignments should be submitted during the week, but under no circumstances later than Saturday.
Practical Assignment No. 3.
Research and review, via the Internet, one famous or well-known arson case that has occurred at some point in history. Compare the case information with the materials that you studied in chapters 13 through 16. Your comparison should be no longer than two pages, double-spaced, in length. Value: 3.5 points of final grade.
Week No. 8
Reading Assignment: None
Final Examination:
Fifty multiple-choice questions: 25 points of final grade

One essay question (to be announced): 5 points of final grade
Research Paper: 25 points of final grade