Department of Criminal Justice

 

Northern Arizona University (Tucson)

 

Criminal Justice 331

Fall 2004

Criminal Justice Administrative Systems

(3 Credit Hours)

WEB

 

 

 

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

 

"Our society is an organizational society.  We are born in organizations, educated by organizations, and most of us spend much of our lives working for organizations.  We spend much of our leisure time paying, playing, and praying in organizations"

 

-Amati Etzioni (Modern Organizations)

 

This course will explore traditional and modern theories of organizations, administration, management, and leadership.  From these theories, a framework will be developed for understanding and analyzing organizations in general and criminal justice organizations specifically.  Students will be able to apply the organizational theories to the administration of police agencies, courts, and correctional institutions.  Further, the students will be able to apply these theories to the organizations in which they work and live.

 

TEXT AND READINGS

 

The follow is the required text for the class:

Stojkovic, S., Kalinich, D., Klofas, J. (2003) Criminal justice organizations, 3nd Edition. Belmond, CA:West/Wadsworth Publishing Company.

DO NOT PURCHASE THE STUDY GUIDE

Flagstaff students can purchase this book at the bookstore.

Other students can purchase the book through MBS Direct:1-800-325-3252 or through the website at: http://direct.mbsbooks.com/nau.htm

 

Additional reading are found in the Electronic Reserves

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Students who do not log into the class by 12:00 Noon on September 2 will be administratively dropped from the class.

 

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 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.

 

§         Journal (50 points)

§         Analytical Questions (300 points)

§         Class Participation (50 points)

§         Final Paper (100 points)

 

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

 

Further, you must respond to all discussion group assignments.  Failure to complete all discussion group assignments will also result in an “F”.

 

Journal of Essays Reflecting Your Thoughts and Experiences in Organizations

 

For 10 weeks during the semester, you are to write a two-page, typed, double-spaced essay reflecting on the subject of that week’s class readings and discussion (1 inch margins in 12 point standard type).  The dates these journal entries are due are reflected in the Course Curriculum and Schedule found later in this syllabus.

 

  • The essays can contain your personal experiences in organizations (work, school, church, clubs, fraternities, sororities, etc.) and relate how the subjects we read about or discussed  that week are presented in those organizations.
  • They can contain references to current events that you have read about or heard about as they relate to criminal justice organizations and how the subjects we discussed or read about that week are reflected in the current events.
  • They can be based on discussions you have with those who work in the justice system.  Related those discussion to subjects we discussed or read about week.

 

The journals should follow the following format:

 

  1. What is the concept, theory or idea from the week’s reading or discussion you indent to reflect on.  Here you must be specific about the concept, theory or idea. 
  2. Describe you organizational experience, the current event, or your discussion with a criminal justice professional and relate the concept, theory or idea to what you have described.

 

You will submit these weekly and I will grade them at the end of the course as an entire group.  You will submit these to me privately via WebCT e-mail. 

 

For the first two journal essays, I will give you feedback and give you a “mock” grade of 1 – 10 so you will get an idea whether on not you are on the right track.  They will not count toward your final grade for this assignment. In other words, the first two journals are “freebies”. 

 

When you submit the journal essays to me, you should identify the number of the journal (ie. 1, 2, 3 …).

 

The journal will be worth 50 points.

 

Journal submissions turned in late will receive an automatic deduction of 5 points.

 

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 100 points. 10 points will be deducted for each day, or part of day, that the questions are late. 

 

 

Final Criminal Justice Administration Problem/Issue Paper

 

For this paper you will:

 

Select a current problem or issue in the administration of police, courts, or corrections agencies.  Preferably one you are interested in.  This paper must:

 

1. Identify the issue or problem. 

 

Discuss in detail how the problem presents itself in a component or agency of the justice system and the implications for the component or agency.  You must document the problem from literature found in scholarly works and research. 

 

 2. Discuss how administrators of justice agencies are trying to deal with the issue.

 

You must discuss what actions, programs, or solutions to the problem administrators have or are trying to address the issue or problem.  You must document this from scholarly works and research.

 

You must support your paper with references from scholarly academic journals, books, or studies.  Your paper must include citations and references to at least 6 scholarly journal articles, books, or studies. Course readings cannot be used to fulfil this requirement.  At the end of this syllabus, I have included a list of acceptable scholarly journals. 

 

You may use other supporting materials such as newspaper or magazine articles.  If you have any questions as to whether a reference is a scholarly work, please feel free to discuss it with me.  At the time you give me your bibliography, I will give you feedback as to whether or not you are using scholarly works.

 

The paper should be 10 – 15 pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins and in 12 point standard type.

 

To facilitate your writing of this paper and to be sure you are on the right track, I have set two preliminary deadlines:

 

1. You must submit your final paper topic for my review and feedback on October 20.

2. You must submit a detailed outline of your paper along with a bibliography of the sources you plan to use on November 5.

 

In writing the paper, you must American Psychological Association (APA) style for citations and references. 

 

This paper is worth 100 points. The points will be distributed as follows:

 

Content: 60 points

Organization: 10 points

Documentation: 20 points

Grammar, structure, and spelling: 10 points

 

10 points will be deducted for each day or portion of day the paper is late.

 

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 cannot, for example, be submitted in Microsoft Works or RTF format.  They will be submitted as attachment to a WebCT E-mail.  No other means of submitting them will be acceptable.  Assignments submitted in any other format will be considered late or non-submitted until they are submitted in the appropriate format.

 

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

 

Review instructions for each writing assignment to insure you understand any penalties for late submission.

 

Class Discussion and Participation

 

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 in discussion groups.

 

Failure to complete all discussion group assignments will also result in an “F”.

 

 

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.  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

August 30- September 5

Course Introduction

 

Basic Concepts for Understanding Criminal Justice Organizations    

 

Text :Chapter 1

 

September 7- September 12

Basic Concepts for Understanding Criminal Justice Organizations

Electronic Reserves

 

Swanson, C.R.; Territo, L. & Taylor, R.W. (2001) Organizational Theory, Police administration: structures, processes and behavior (5th ed.), chp. 4,.

 

 

Wright, Kevin N. (1999). The desirability of goal conflict within the criminal justice system, pgs. 37-49, The administration and management of criminal justice organizations: Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press, c1999.

 

 

 

Journal 1 Due by 12:00 Noon September 12.

September 13-September 19  

 

Structure of Criminal Justice Organizations

Text: Chapter 2

 

Electronic Reserves:

 

Clynch, Edward J. and David W. Neubauer Trial courts as organizations, pgs. 69-91, The administration and management of criminal justice organizations: Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press, c1999.

 

Carlson, P.M. & Garrett, J.S. (1999) Part II: Governing the Prison, Chapter 4: The Organization of the Institution, Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers.

 

Journal 2 Due by 12:00 Noon September 19.

September 20-

September 26

The Structure of Criminal Justice Organizations

Electronic Reserve

 

Freeman, R.M. (1999) The Evolution of Correctional Management, Correctional organization and management: policy challenges, behavior and structure. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, Chp. 1, pp. 1-27.

 

 

 

 

 

Freeman, R.M. (1999) Organizational Strategy, structure, and Design, Correctional organization and management: policy challenges, behavior and structure. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, Chp. 2, pp. 29-53.

 

Analytical Questions Set 1 Due by 12:00 Noon September 26.

September 27-

October 3

The Criminal Justice System and its Environment

Text: Chapter 3

 

Electronic Reserves:

 

Graham, Cole Blease Reshaping the courts: traditions, management theories, and political realities, pgs. 3-26, Handbook of court administration and management. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc..

 

Hays, S. & Cole B.G., Jr. (1993) Fundamental issues in caseflow management, pgs. 369-381, Handbook of court administration and management. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal 3 Due by 12:00 Noon October 3.

October 4-

October 10

 

The Criminal Justice System and its Environment

Electronic Reserve

 

Carlson, P.M. & Garrett, J.S. (1999) Part I: History of Confinement, Chapter 1: The Legacy of Punishment , Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers.

 

Roth, Thomas (1999) Part I, Chapter 2: American Corrections: From the Beginning to World War II, Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers

 

 

Travisono, Anthony (1999) Part I, Chapter 3: American Corrections Since World War II, Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers

Journal 4 Due by 12:00 Noon October 10.

October 11-

October 17

Problems of Communication in Organizations


Motivation of Personnel

 

Job Design

 

 

Text: Chapter 4

 

 

Text: Chapter 5

 

Text: Chapter 6

Analytical Question Set  2 Due by 12:00 Noon on October 17

October 18-

October 24

Leadership and Management

Text: Chapter 7

 

Electronic Reserves:

 

Kuykendall, Jack and Peter C. Unsinger (1999). Leadership styles of police managers, pgs. 154-167, The administration and management of criminal justice organizations: Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press, c1994

 

 

Final Paper Topic Due by 12:00 Noon on October 20

 

Journal 5 Due by 12:00 Noon October 24.

October 25-

October 31

Leadership and Management                 

Electronic Reserve:

 

Saari, David The modern court managers: who they are and what they do in the United States, pgs. 237-262, Handbook of court administration and management. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc..

 

Stojkovic, S.; Klofas, J. & Kalinich, D. (1999). Prison administration: inmate participation versus the control model, pgs. 278-288, The administration and management of criminal justice organizations: Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press, c1999.

Journal 6 Due by 12:00 Noon on October 31.

 

 

November 1-

November 7

Leadership and Management

Electronic Reserves:

 

Dilulio, John J. Jr. (1999) Part II, Chapter 5: Leadership and Innovation in Correctional Institutions: New Challenges for Barbed Wire Buraucrats and Entrepreneurs, Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers.

 

Freeman, R.M. (1999) The Evolution of Correctional Management, Correctional organization and management: policy challenges, behavior and structure. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, Chp. 1, pp. 1-27.

Final Paper Detailed Outline and Bibliography of Sources Due by 12:00 Noon on November 5

 

 

 

Journal 7 Due by 12:00 Noon November 7.

November 8-

November 14

Personnel Supervision and Evaluation

 

Occupational Socialization

Text Chapter 8

 

 

Text Chapter 9

Journal 8 Due by 12:00 Noon November 14.

November 15-

November 21  

Power and Political Behavior

Text Chapter 10

 

Electronic Reserves

Hepburn, John R. (1999). The exercise of power in coercive organizations, The administration and management of criminal justice organizations: Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press, c1994.

Analytical Question Set 3 Due by 12:00 Noon on November 21.

November 22-

November 28

(Thanksgiving Day November 25)

Organizational Conflict

Text Chapter 11

 

November 29-

December 5

Decision Making

Text Chapter 12

 Journal 9 Due by 12:00 Noon December 5.

December 6-

December 12

Organizational Effectiveness

Text Chapter 13

 

Journal 10 Due by 12:00 Noon December 12.

December 13 –

December 17

Exam Week

 

Final Paper Due

by 12:00 Noon on December 15

 

 

                             

The following are acceptable scholarly academic journals for the issue paper.

 

Justice System Journals

 

American Journal of Police

British Journal of Criminology

Crime and Delinquency

Crime and Justice

Criminal Justice and Behavior

Criminal Justice Review

International Review of Criminal Policy

Journal of Criminal Justice

Journal of Criminal Law (UA)

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Journal of Quantitative Criminology

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

Judicature

Justice System Journal (UA)

Justice Quarterly

Juvenile and Family Court Journal (UA)

Law and Contemporary Problems

Law and Human Behavior

Law and Policy

Law and Social Inquiry: Journal of the American Bar Foundation

Law and Society Review

Violence and Victims

Wharton’s Criminal Procedure (UA)

 

Administration, Management, and Organizational Theory Journals

Academy of Management Journal

Administrative Science Quarterly

Harvard Business Review

Industrial Relations

Journal of Human Resources

Journal of Organizational Behavior

Journal of Organizational Behavior Management

Long Range Planning

Management Science

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Process (UA)

Organizational Behavior and Human Performance (UA)

Organizational Dynamics

Public Administration and Development (UA)

Public Administration Review

Strategic Management Journal

 

 

The following are not acceptable as scholarly academic journals for purposes of the final paper

 

Newspapers

News Magazines (Newsweek, Time, People)

Trade Magazines

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

Corrections Today

Police Chief

Prisons Today

On the Line

Law and Order

American Jails

 


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.