Department of Criminal Justice

 

Northern Arizona University (Tucson)

 

Criminal Justice CJ 315

Spring 2004

Comparative Justice Systems

WEB CLASS

(3 Credit Hours)

 

 

Instructor:                  Dennis W. Catlin, Ph.D.

 

Office Location:         NAU-Southern Arizona Regional Office

                                    401 N. Bonita Ave.

                                    Tucson, AZ 85709

 

Office Phone:             (520) 879-7915 – Tucson

                                    (520) 523-0384 – Flagstaff Campus Number

                       

Pager:                         (520) 410-1701 – Tucson

                                    (928) 556-7827 – Flagstaff     

           

Home Phone: (520) 296-9849

             

E-mail:  dennis.catlin@nau.edu (FOR NON CLASS COMMUNICATION) All communications related to this class must come through WebCT. I will not answer class related E-mail that comes to my NAU address.

 

Website: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~dwc5/

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

 

 

This course compares United States, Asian, African, and European cultures with respect to differences in their concepts of justice and mechanisms for achieving justice.

 

 

 

 

 

TEXT and READINGS

 

Required Text

 

Reichel, Philip L. Comparative Criminal Justice , 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

 

I have posted the first three chapter of the text in the Electronic Reserves Reading to allow you time to obtain the text from one of the following possible sources:

 

 

 

 

BE SURE YOU GET THE 3rd EDITION

 

Electronic Reserve Readings

 

Additional on-line reading will be found on the WebCT site in the Electronic Reserves Section of the course.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Since this is a Web based class, there is no attendance in the traditional sense; however, there is attendance in the virtual sense. I will keep close track of students’ weekly “attendance” through your access to reading assignments and participation in discussion groups.  Students who do not log into the class by 12:00 Noon on January 15, 2003 will be administratively dropped from the class.

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

 

Students with disabilities documented by Northern Arizona University’s Disability Support Services are encouraged to self-identify on a confidential basis to the instructor and provide a statement of accommodations.  If you have any questions regarding accommodations they should be directed to the Disability Support Services Office at (520) 523-8773, TTY (520) 523-6906.

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM:

 

Grades will be based on your performance on written assignments and participation in class discussions.

 

§                     Internet Postings (100 points)

§                     Analytical Questions (150 points)

§                     Class Participation/ Discussion Groups (50 points)

§                     Final Project Paper (200 points)

 

To receive a grade in this course, all writing assignments handed in.  In other words, if all assignments are not handed in, an “F” will be given.

 

Internet Site Posting

 

During 10 weeks of the semester you are to post the web address of a site you have found on the Internet that discusses the comparative justice topic we are discussing that week. Each week that an Internet Site Posting is due, I will create a discussion group for that posting. You will post your site in the appropriate discussion group.

 

At the time you post it, you must write a brief summary describing the content of the site. You must also discuss what you learned about the exercise of discretion or decision-making from the site.

 

Before you post your web site, you must check the discussion group to make sure no one else has already posted the site.  In other words, there can be no duplicate sites so it is first come, first serve in posting sites.  One word of caution here.  When I refer to DUPLICATE SITES, I am not just talking about a duplicate internet address. I am talking about duplicate content.  Frequently the exact same content can be found at different address. Therefore, READ THE CONTENT OF OTHER STUDENTS POSTINGS NOT JUST THE ADDRESS, before you do your posting.

You cannot use sites from the Textbook or the Textbook website.

 

In summary each posting must have the following:

 

1.      Identify the number of the posting (ie: Internet Sites Posting 1, 2, 3, 4 ….10)

2.      The complete address of the site so others, including the instructor, can locate it.  You should put this directly in the message text of the discussion posting.

3.      A brief summary describing the content of the site.

4.      A brief summary of what you learned about comparative justice systems from the site.

 

Each posting is worth 10 points and is due by the date and time indicated in the syllabus.  You will receive a “0” for any late postings.  However, you must still make all postings or you will receive and “F” for the course.

 

Analytical Questions

 

There will be no traditional examinations in this course.  Rather, there will be 3 sets of analytical questions that will be due throughout the semester.  I will e-mail the analytical questions to each student along with complete instructions well ahead of the due date. The due dates are listed in the course curriculum and schedule found later in this syllabus.  Each set of analytical questions will be worth 50 points. 10 points will be deducted for each day, or part of day, that the questions are late.

 

Class Participation/Discussion Groups

 

I reserve 50 points of the total and will assign those points based on my sole judgment of the quality and frequency of your participation.

 

The primary source for the evaluation of you participation will be the discussion groups I create. Being present at these discussions is just like being present for class. It is not optional.

 

Generally, on a weekly basis, I will create a discussion group that addresses the topic of that week. I will post one or more questions for you to respond to.  I will give you a due date for your discussion posting.  Going beyond the due date will automatically result on a loss of points and failure to participate in more than two discussions will lower your final grade by one letter grade.

 

You are expected to respond not only to the original posting by me but any subsequent postings. I may ask follow-up questions to students’ postings and I expect a timely response to my follow-up questions. That is why this is called a “discussion group”.

 

I will also grade you on your responses to other students. Responding to other students is a big plus. It shows that you have processed what they have contributed and you have added your own thoughts.

 

Country Specific Justice System Project

 

Each student will be assigned a country.  It will submit a final paper that fully describes that country’s CURRENT justice system.  You must describe the system as it currently exists and therefore your resources must be current. Your paper will be divided into the following major sections:

 

Overview of the Country

 

·        Location

·        Geography

·        Population size and ethic composition

·        Political system and system of government

 

Description of Crime and Crime Statistics

 

Description of the Legal Tradition of the Country

 

Description of the Law Enforcement System

 

Description of the Court System

 

Description of the Corrections System

 

Description of the Juvenile Justice System

 

For each section you will:

 

  1. Write a complete description of the section based on current relevant material you have found.  To complete these sections, you can use a variety of material.  You can use OFFICIAL Internet sites, research articles, reports in peer reviewed journals, articles from news sources.  You cannot use Internet sites that are maintained by individuals.
  2. Compare your country to countries with similar systems discussed in the text.  For example, if your country has an Islamic Legal Tradition, you will compare your country with countries in your text that also have an Islamic Legal Tradition.  This should be done for each section of the paper where there are comparable systems in your text.

 

You must document where you got your material using a standard form of academic citation including the American Psychological Association (APA), American Sociological Association (ASA), Modern Language Association of America (MLA).

 

See http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/nb-home.html for the way to cite sources and list references.

 

You must include a miniumum of 3 OFFICIAL or SCHORLARLY sources that relate to that section or subsection.

.

 

You will be graded on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will also be graded on the timeliness of your interim work.  Throughout the semester you will be required to post the preliminary work you have done.  This must be done on time or you will loose points for your final project. For each day, or portion of a day, your interim report is late, you will lose 5 points on the final project score. For example on February 8 by 12:00 Noon you must submit your preliminary work on:

1.      Overview of the Country

 

2.      Crime and Crime Statistics

 

The deadline for the final project paper is due a 12:00 Noon on May 5. If it is not turned in by that time, you will receive a “0” for the paper.

 

 

General Instructions for Writing Assignments

 

The general rule for all writing assignments is that they are grammatically correct and checked thoroughly for spelling.  Further, the organization of writing assignments must follow a logical and coherent pattern.  Points will be deducted for misspelling as well as poor grammar, sentence structure, and organization.

 

Submitting Writing Assignments

 

All writing assignments must be done in either Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect.  They will be submitted as attachment to a WebCT E-mail.  No other means of submitting them will be acceptable.

 

The assignments will be graded and returned to you in the same way.

 

 

 

Grading

 

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79%  = C

60-69% = D

Less than 60%=F

 

COURSE CURRICULUM AND SCHEDULE

 

Attached is a Preliminary Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignment Deadlines.  From time to time this schedule may change and I reserve the right to change the schedule and curriculum depending on the course progression.  I also will hand out additional readings, as they may be required.  It is your responsibility to remain current on the course schedule, reading assignments, test dates, and deadline dates for assignments.

 

Dates

Topic(s)

Readings

Assignments

 

1/12 - 1/18

 

 

 

Course Introduction and Orientation

 

Why should we study other justice systems

 

 

 

 

Text Chapter 1

 

 

Internet Site Posting 1

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 1/18

 

 

 

1/19 – 1/25

 

 

 

 

 

Why should we study other justice systems

 

Moore, Richter H. and Fields, Charles B.(1996) “Comparative Criminal Justice: Why Study?”  in Comparative Criminal Justice. (Charles B. Fields and Richther H. Moore, Jr. EDS).  Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Pp 1-12.

 

 

 Internet Site Posting 2

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 1/25

 

 

 

1/26 – 2/1

 

 

 

 

 

Crime on the world scene

 

Text Chapter 2

 

Internet Site Posting 3

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 2/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/2 -2/8

 

 

 

 

American Criminal Justice and Criminal Law

 

Text Chapter 3

 

 

Clifford, Mary. (2000) “Criminal Justice System in the United States” in Comparative and International Criminal Justice Systems, 2nd Edition (Obi N. Ibnatius Ebbe Ed.). Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.   Pp. 11 – 28.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Site Posting 4 due 12:00 Noon on 2/8

 

Country Project

Preliminary Report 1

Preliminary Sections on Assigned Country:

 

Overview of the Country

 

Crime and Crime Statistics

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 2/8

 

 

2/9 – 2/15

 

 

 

Legal Traditions

 

Text Chapter 4

 

Internet Site Posting 5

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 2/15

 

2/16 – 2/22

 

 

 

 

Substantive Law and Procedural Law in the Four Legal Traditions

Text Chapter 5

Country Project

Preliminary Report 2

 

Preliminary Section on Assigned Country’s

Legal System and Legal Tradition

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 2/22

 

2/23 – 2/29

 

 

 

Victimization

 

TO BE DETERMINED

 

Analytical Question 1

 Due at 12:00 Noon on 2/29

 

3/1 -3/7

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Policing

 

Text Chapter 6

 

Internet Site Posting 6

 

 Due 12:00 Noon on 3/7

 

 

 

3/8 -3/12

 

An International Perspective on Policing

 

Text Chapter 6

Internet Site Posting 7

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 3/12

 

3/13 – 3/21

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

 

 

3/22 – 3/28

 

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Courts

 

Text Chapter 7

 

Country Project

Preliminary Report 3

Preliminary Section on Victims and Law Enforcement

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 3/28

 

3/29 – 4/4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Courts

 

Text Chapter 7

 

Analytical Question Set 2

 Due 12:00 Noon on 4/4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/5 -4/11

 

 

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Corrections

 

Text Chapter 8

 

Internet Site Posting 8

Due 12:00 Noon on 4/11

 

Country Project

Preliminary Report 4

Preliminary Section on Court System

 

Due 12:00 Noon on 4/11

 

 

 

4/12 – 4/18

 

 

An International Perspective on Corrections

 

Text Chapter 8

Internet Site Posting 9

 Due 12:00 Noon on 4/18

 

 

4/19 – 4/25

 

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Juvenile Justice

 

Text Chapter 9

 

Internet Site Posting 10

Due 12:00 Noon on 4/25

 

 

 

4/26 – 5/2

 

 

 

 

An International Perspective on Juvenile Justice

 

Text Chapter 9

 

Final Country Project

 

 Due 12:00 Noon on 5/2

 

5/2 -5/6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analytical Question Set 3 Due at 12:00 Noon on 5/6

 

 

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

POLICY STATEMENTS

 

 

SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY

NAU’s Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to prohibit discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the University.  The goal of this policy is to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual harassment, sexual assault, or retaliation by anyone at this university.

 

You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean’s office.  If you have concerns about this policy, it is important that you contact the departmental chair, dean’s office, the Office of Student Life (523-5181), the academic ombudsperson (523-9368), or NAU’s Office of Affirmative Action (523-3312).

 

STUDENT WITH DISABLILITIES

 

If you have a learning and /or physical disability, you are encouraged to make arrangements for class assignments/exams so your academic performance will not suffer because of the disability or handicap.  If you have questions about special provisions for students with disabilities, contact the Counseling and Testing Center (523-2261).

 

It is your responsibility to register with the Counseling and Testing Center.  Application for services should be made at least eight weeks before the start of the semester.

 

If the Counseling and Testing Center verifies your eligibility for special services, you should consult with your instructor during the first week in the semester so appropriate arrangements can be made.  Concerns related to noncompliance with appropriate provisions should be directed to the Disability Support Services coordinator in the Counseling and Testing Center.

 

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD

 

Any study involving observation of or interaction with human subjects that originates at NAU - including a course project, report, or research paper – must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects in research and research –related activities.

 

The IRB meets once each month.  Proposals must be submitted for review at least fifteen working days before the monthly meeting.  You should consult with your course instructor early in the course to ascertain if your project needs to be reviewed by the IRB and/ or to secure information or appropriate forms and procedures for the IRB review.  Your instructor and department chair or college dean must sign the application for approval by the IRB.  The IRB categorizes projects into three levels depending on the nature of the project: exempt from further review, expedited review, or full board review.  If the IRB certifies that a project is exempt from further review, you need not resubmit the project for continuing IRB review as long as there are no modifications in the exempted procedures.

 

A copy of the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available in each department’s administrative office and each college dean’s office.  If you have questions, contact Carey Conover, Office of Grant and Contract Services, at 523-4889.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

 

The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic integrity.  As members of the academic community, NAU’s Administration, faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and are committed to maintaining the academic integrity essential to the educational process.  Inherent in this commitment is the belief that academic dishonesty in all forms violates the basic principles of integrity and impedes learning.

 

It is the responsibility of individual faculty members to identify instances of academic dishonesty and recommend penalties to the department chair or college dean in keeping with the severity of the violation.  Penalties may range from verbal chastisement to a failing grade in the course.  The complete policy on academic integrity is in Appendix F of NAU’s Student Handbook.

 

 

CLASSROOM CIVILITY STATEMENT

 

Membership in the academic community places a special obligation on all members to preserve an atmosphere conducive to the freedom to teach and to learn.  Part of the obligation implies the responsibility of each member of the NAU community to maintain a positive learning environment in which the behavior of any individual does not disrupt the classes of teachers or learners.

 

It is the responsibility of the individual faculty member to determine, maintain, and enforce the standards of behavior acceptable to preserving an atmosphere appropriate for teaching and learning.  Students will be warned if their behavior is evaluated by the faculty member as disruptive.

 

Sanctions may include a range of responses from immediate removal from class to referral to the appropriate academic unit and/or the Office of Student Life to review pertinent alleged university violations of ethical and behavioral standards.  Significant and/or continued violations may result in administrative withdrawal from the class.

Clifford, Mary. (2000) “Criminal Justice System in the United States” in Comparative and International Criminal Justice Systems, 2nd Edition (Obi N. Ibnatius Ebbe Ed.). Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.   Pp. 11 – 28.

 

Moore, Richter H. and Fields, Charles B.(1996) “Comparative Criminal Justice: Why Study?”  in Comparative Criminal Justice. (Charles B. Fields and Richther H. Moore, Jr. EDS).  Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Pp 1-12.

 

Reichel, Philip L. (2002) Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.  Pp. 1-114.