TEXT, REFERENCES AND SUPPLIES:

TEXT- REQUIRED: Walker, S. & Katz, C. (2008). The Police in America: an introduction. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

ISBN: 13978007352925

Also Required: Student Learning Packet available in the Bookstore.

REFERENCE MATERIALS USED BY INSTRUCTOR:
Various texts, articles, bulletins and other materials appropriate to course material are used as instructor references.

NOTE: Do not delay getting the textbook from the College Bookstore. There is no guarantee that there will be any available after the third week of class.

SUPPLIES: Students will bring textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils to class. It is suggested that students purchase several Scantron sheets, both objective-type and essay-type, at the beginning of the semester, and have them available during class, in the event an unannounced quiz is given.

COURSE GOALS / OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLASS POLICIES:

Each student should anticipate at least one hour out-of-class preparation for each lecture hour. Attendance is important in this class, as the grade is determined by attendance, participation, and writing assignments.

Portable cellular phones, beepers, and similar paging devices may be disruptive to the class, and you are encouraged NOT to bring them into the classroom. If you do bring them to class, please make sure they are turned off. Should they become a nuisance, you may be asked to remove them from the classroom. Food and hats are strictly forbidden in the classroom. Appropriate beverages may be brought into the classroom.

Students missing class, such absence resulting in not presenting a paper to other group members or failing to submit papers on time will be penalized. Depending on the student’s efforts to notify the instructor of impending absence, get assignments to class despite absences, and get assignments submitted on time, the penalty may be as high as 50% of the total grade. All work must be completed and turned in when due or on the next class meeting if the student is absent.

The final report is due as stated in this syllabus. It will be accepted early, but under no circumstances after the deadline. There is no opportunity to make up any work after the final semester deadline.

NOTICE: The instructor reserves the right to drop students who stop attending or have an excessive number of absences. As a rule, however, the instructor does not drop students, and it is your responsibility to drop a class if you no longer plan to attend and complete the semester. Check the Midland College catalog for last day to drop.



EVALUATION OF STUDENTS:

This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

There are four writing assignments in this course. During the semester 15 chapters will be discussed; you are expected to participate in weekly classroom discussions over each chapter. Students may work individually or may collaborate with one other student on the assigned papers, but must submit individual papers. The writing assignments are graded papers and are 22% of the semester grade. Each paper will be graded on content, writing style and detail. All amswers will be typed, double spaced, and in appropriate font. The final examination is 6% of the final grade.

There are no specific due dates for the required papers; however all must be submitted by the end of the 13th week of the semester. No reminders will be given in class.

Participation in weekly class discussions is required; the weekly grade makes up 72% of the course grade. Each absence deducts 100 points from this grade; no exceptions for absences.

GRADING

COURSE SCHEDULE:

The class meets for three lecture hours per week.
An outline of the course follows. This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.


SCANS INFORMATION:

The following SCANS* skills are taught and/or reinforced in this course:

Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources. Students will: develop goals, allocate time to activities, assess others’ performance and provide feedback in group assignments.

Interpersonal: Works with others. Students will: work in groups, sharing information and helping others learn by exercising leadership and instructing others.

Systems: Understands complex interrelationships. Students will: discuss organizational structures; explain organization of typical law enforcement agency; explain the role of the police and how law enforcement agencies relate to governmental organization

Technology: Works with a variety of technologies. Students will: explain how technology improves/enhances police operations; computers in education and law enforcement.

Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information. Students will: analyze information in textbook and apply it to problem scenarios presented in class and assigned discussion questions.

Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Students will: complete and submit numerous written reports during the semester.

Listening/Speaking: Organizes ideas and communicates oral messages appropriate to listeners and situation, participates in group presentations. Students will: participate in classroom exercises and scenarios; prepare and present, in either group or individual assignments, a semester project addressing a current issue in law enforcement.

Personal Qualities: Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity and honesty. Students will: assess traits and qualities of professional police officers and effective decision makers; demonstrate ability to solve problems; identify ethical issues in police work.

*SCANS are workplace competencies established by the federal government; documentation of them is required in each program.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor: Robert W. Peetz
Office: 174 TC
Telephone: (432) 685-4685
E-mail: rpeetz@midland.edu
Fax: (432) 685-4761
Division: Business Studies
Chair: Mr. Gavin Frantz
Secretary: Ms. Mia Olvera
Office: 142 TC
Phone: (432) 685-4656

Office Hours: Office hours are announced in class, posted on the instructor's door, and subject to change.

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION

Two principles should guide you through your education. First, from your education you should learn "how to think, not what to think." The second is from Dr. Gennaro Vito (1999), and has 10 parts:

1. Work is good. Hard work is even better.
2. Preparation is the key to success.
3. Quality and presentation count.
4. Revision improves all things.
5. Learn to use all the tools available to you.
6. Work must be completed on time.
7. Time is more valuable than money.
8. Do not become an educated fool.
9. Nothing stays the same. Either you get better or your get worse.
10. The classroom is no place for democracy.

SEMESTER (CAPSTONE) PROJECT

Police Systems and Practices (CRIJ 2328) is included in the core criminal justice curriculum, and transfers to four-year schools. Students transferring to U.T.P.B. may be permitted to substitute this course for their required course Police and Society if a passing grade of C or better is maintained.

In applied science degree options, students must complete some course designated as a “capstone course.” A capstone course is one that incorporates material from previous courses, or requires the student to apply material learned from previous courses to some assignment in that course. Although not required for associate degree options, including a capstone course in a specific curriculum is a sound academic principle and approach to learning.

During class each student will be required to participate in a group decision process where the capstone project topic is selected. Additional information will be provided at that time.

This project will count thirty percent of the total grade for this course. This project will include both a written (50%) and oral presentation (50%) portion. The specific assignment will be made during the early part of the semester. The assignment will focus on a contemporary issue in policing. Depending on the actual assignment, this may be:

A. a class project, will all students participating and doing some part of the same project;
B. group projects, with groups working on individualized projects;
C. individual assignments, with each student working alone;
D. a combination of any of the above methods.

Learning to work with others in groups is an essential workplace skill. The success of police work depends on teamwork, not individualism. Likewise, the ability to communicate effectively, not only in writing but orally, is an essential workplace skill. This course, through this project and other assignments, affords students the opportunity to learn and develop these skills.

A full 30% of your grade, the capstone project is essential to your successful completion of this course. Do not delay working on this project. Do not be afraid to work hard on it. Hard work is rewarded in college, as well as in the workplace.

The capstone project for this semester is described at the end of the syllabus.

COURSE OUTLINE: This course meets on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:50 pm in the Fall 2007 semester. This is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

This course outline is for Walker & Katz, The Police in America (6th ed)

TOPIC AREAS FOR FINAL EXAMINATION

The final examination will consist of one or more of the following topics. Additional information will be provided during the course.

1. The role of the police in society. discuss the traditional roles of police in American society, styles of policing, and how the values of a community affect the role and style of policing in that community.

2. The development of police in America. explore the roots of policing, how they affected the creation of modern police departments, and the role of the Metropolitan Police Act in the structure and organization of police agencies in America.

3. Managing police agencies. discuss various styles of management and leadership used in law enforcement, stressing the unique aspects of managing and directing the widely diverse aspects of police work.

4. Change - moving into the 21st century. discuss the changes that need to be made to bring police agencies into the 21st century in areas of technology, training, recruitment and selection, and mission, including obstacles to change inherent in organizations.

5. Police patrol - the backbone of law enforcement. discuss the function of patrol, patrol methods, and special operations within the purview of patrol units.

6. Police culture - the infamous blue curtain. explore the nature of police work from a cultural perspective, including universalistic perspectives, internal politics, and the police personality.

7. Corruption - the meat and grass eaters of police work. discuss corruption in police agencies, both historical and current, and the corruptive influence of politics on police work in America.

8. Police brutality - fact or media fiction. explore the different types of brutality, the frequency with which they occur, and how police agencies can reduce or eliminate brutality.

9. Ethics in police work. discuss ethical standards in police work, codes of ethics, limits of professional and ethical standards, and a review of ethical dilemmas facing police officers today.

10. Higher education and law enforcement. discuss the pros and cons of requiring police officers to have college degrees, including attitudes, policies, discrimination issues, and legal issues.

11. Cultural diversity in policing today. explore cultural issues in policing, including race, gender, family issues, sexual preference, affirmative action and equal employment opportunities.

12. Stress and the law enforcer. explain stress and its effect on the person, stressors unique to police work, problems associated with stress, and techniques available to police agencies to reduce stress and improve officer performance and quality of life.

During the semester, you should keep these topics in mind, make notes about each topic and prepare to address one or more of them on the final examination. The exact formay of the final examination will be announced as the date for it nears.