Department
of Criminal Justice
Spring
2003
(3
Credit Hours)
IITV-Web
Enhanced
Class Time:
Meeting Dates:
March 12 –
Instructor: Dennis W. Catlin, Ph.D.
Office Location:
NAU-Southern
Office Phone:
(520) 879-7915 –
(520) 523-0384 –
Pager:
(520) 410-1701 –
(928) 556-7827 –
Home Phone: (520) 296-9849
E-mail: dennis.catlin@nau.edu (FOR NON CLASS
COMMUNICATION) All communications related to
this call 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/
Office Hours:
Before and after class and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AND OBJECTIVES
Everyday we are faced with moral and ethical dilemmas in our personal and professional lives. Those who serve in the criminal justice system have a duty to act responsibly and ethically as they exercise the power entrusted to them by our form of government. During this course we will:
Review some of the basic ethical value systems that form the basis of western thought
Struggle with personal and professional ethical dilemmas
Review and analyze various professional codes of conduct
Develop a framework for analyzing personal and professional moral and ethical dilemmas
It is my hope that this course will:
Improve your recognition of moral issues
Further develop your moral imagination
Sharpen your analytical/critical skills relating to moral and ethical issues
Increase your ethical sensitivity
Increased your knowledge of relevant standards of conduct
Improve your ethical will power
Make ethical reflection a natural part of your own practical decision-making
There is no ethical position I expect to take, but I do
expect that you thoroughly develop, analyze, and express the nature and
application of your own system. We
often try to avoid ethical problems because they are very difficult. However, with the proper tools, they can
be understood and they can be enlightening and fun.
ATTENDANCE
Due to the compressed nature of this course, attendance is mandatory. Any student who misses the first class will be administratively withdrawn by me on March 13. Anyone missing more than one class will have their final grade reduced by one grade for each class missed beyond one. Should there be changes in the schedule of assignments or curriculum, it is your responsibility to stay informed of the changes.
STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
Students with
disabilities documented by
COURSE STRUCTURE AND
APPROACH
This course will be conducted using a variety of educational methods. This includes lecture, discussion, on-line discussion, small group work, videotapes, guest speakers, role-playing, and simulation.
TESTS, WRITING
ASSIGNMENTS, AND GRADING SYSTEM:
Grades will be based on your performance on examinations and writing assignments, class attendance, and participation in class discussions.
§ Test ( 50 points)
§ Article Review (25 points )
§ Journal (25 points)
§ Class Participation (25 points)
§ Ethics Policy Paper (50 points)
§ Quizzes
To receive a grade in this course, all tests must be taken and all writing assignments handed in. In other words, if all tests are not taken and all assignments are not handed in, an “F” will be given.
An Incomplete grade will only be given in cases of documented medical emergencies and only if you are receiving a passing grade at the time the incomplete grade is requested.
Test
There will be one mid-session test worth 50 points. This test may consist of multiple choice, true false, short answer, and essay questions. The tests will cover lecture and discussion, guest expert presentations, text, and reading material. The preliminary date of the test is reflected in the attached course schedule. This date is subject to change depending on the progression of the course. It is your responsibility to remain informed about test date.
Mid-session test: 50 points
A missed test can only be made up in cases of medically
documented illness. The content and
form of make-up examinations will differ from the original examination and can
only be made up within 5 days of the original test. It is the student’s responsibility to
immediately notify me of the reason for missing the test and arrange for a
make-up time.
Article Review
One article review from a scholarly academic journal will be required. This review can come from any area of ethical concern but must directly address ethics. I would suggest that any article you select have the word ethics or morality in the title or abstract.
The article review must be based on articles appearing in scholarly peer reviewed academic journals. Publications such as Time, Newsweek, People Magazine, etc. do not qualify.
In order to assure that the article is
appropriate, you must submit the full citation of the article to me by
§ These must be reviews of articles appearing in a scholarly academic journal.
§ They must be current articles. Articles older than 1993 are not acceptable.
§ The articles must be based on empirical research conducted by the authors.
The article is due at
They must be typed and double-spaced with 1 inch margins and in 12 point type. The length will depend on the article you choose. The review must contain the following elements.
You must use these heading for each sections of your article review. Not doing so will significantly reduce your score.
1. The accurate bibliographic reference to the article.
2. The main ethical issue, idea, thesis, research hypothesis, or research question stated by the author(s).
3. The definition of any terms the author uses.
4. The research method used or the important facts the author(s) uses to support the idea, thesis, hypothesis, or research question.
5. Conclusion(s) the author(s) reach.
6. Your analysis of the article, including any examples of bias or faulty reasoning on the part of the author(s). In this section you should concentrate on applying the ideas and concepts we have discussed in class or from the reading which provide a framework for analyzing ethical issues.
The following general criteria will be used in grading the article reviews:
0 Missing, turned in late and score reduced or article from unacceptable journal
5 Turned in but unintelligible or erroneous.
10 Covered some of required elements, but serious omissions
15 Covered all of the elements in a minimal fashion
20 Covered all of the elements in depth but provided little or no independent analysis
25 Covered all of the elements and showed ability to provide an independent analysis
During the course, you will submit 5 journal essays. You are to write a two page, typed, double-spaced essay reflecting on the subject of that week’s class discussion (1 inch margins in 12 point standard type).
§ The essays can contain your personal ethical experiences.
§ They can contain references to current events that you have read about or heard about as they relate to criminal justice ethics and how the subjects we discussed are reflected in the current events.
§ They can be based on interviews you conduct with those who work in the justice system.
You will submit these weekly and I will grade them at the end of the course as an entire group. These will also be the basis for class discussion.
The top of each submission should contain the submission number (ie. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
The journal will be worth 25 points.
The submissions are due prior to class on the dates indicated in the course curriculum schedule.
Five (5) points will be deducted for each day a journal submission is late. This means that you could lose all the points for your journal (25 points) if one essay submission was 5 days late.
Ethics Policy Paper
The ethics policy paper will require you to select a criminal justice policy and examine it in light of the values and ethics theories we have been studying. There is a wide range of possible policy issues you might select. Some examples are:
Sentencing Policy
The Death Penalty
Use of Force including Deadly Force
Lying and Deception as Investigative Techniques
Defending the Guilty
In order to make sure this paper is progressing, there are several preliminary materials you must submit. The dates for the submissions are in the timetable.
1. Policy statement you intend to write about.
2. General outline of the paper
3. References you intend to use
The paper should be 12 – 15 pages in length. It should be double spaced, 12 point type with 1 inch margins. The references and citations must be in the APA (American Psychological Association) style. You must have at least 6 references from scholarly sources (books and journals). You cannot use any of the readings we are using in class for these 6 references, however, you may use them as supplemental material.
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.
All writing assignments must be done in
either Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect. They MUST BE submitted prior to the
beginning of the class on the date they are due , unless
there is another specific date and time indicated in the Course Curriculum
Schedule. They will be submitted as an attachment to a WebCT E-mail.
This will be explained in detail.
No other means of submitting them will be
acceptable.
The assignments will be graded and
returned to you in the same way.
You must also bring a copy of your work
to class.
Points for writing assignments will be reduced by 5 points for each day they are turned in late.
I reserve 25
points of the total grade points and will assign those points based on my sole
judgment of the quality and frequency of your participation. You will be grade not only on your in
class participation but also your on-line participation.
There will be
several on-line discussions. You are required at a minimum to respond to every
question I pose to you during on-line discussions.
Quizzes
If it appears that students are not preparing for class, or there are excessive absences, I will exercise the option of conducting quizzes at the beginning or end of class. Each quiz will be worth 5 points.
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,
Preliminary Schedule of Topics,
|
Class |
Topic |
|
Exams/ Assignments |
|
March 12 |
Course Introduction What is Ethics Defining Ethics Ethical Systems |
|
|
|
March 26 |
Ethical Systems |
Discussion
Chapter 1 “Doing Ethics and The Basic Language of Ethics” Chapter 2 “Ethical Theories and Systems” |
Journal Submission 1 |
|
April 2 |
Ethical Systems Defining Moral and Ethical Behavior Moral Development |
Discussion Reading Chapter 3 “Moral Relativism and Absolutism” Discussion Reading Chapter 4 “Developing Moral Judgment” |
Journal Submission 2 Policy Paper Topic Due Submit Article for Approval due at |
|
April 9 ON LINE DISCUSSION |
Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas Justice and the Law |
Discussion Reading Chapter 5 “Ethical Dilemmas and Ethical Analysis” |
Journal Submission 3
|
|
Class |
Topic |
|
Exams/ Assignments |
|
April 16 |
Law Enforcement Ethics |
Discussion Reading Chapter 6 “Law Enforcement Ethics” “Ethical Orientations of State Police Recruits” |
Test 1 Policy Paper Outline and References Due by |
|
April 23 |
Judicial and Legal Ethics |
Discussion
Reading Chapter 7 “ Judicial Ethics Muraskin, M. “Ethical
concerns of a criminal defense attorney” In Morality and The Law,
Muraskin, R and Muraskin, M. (Eds).
McDonough, C., McDonugh, D.
B. and Keenan, R. G. “The ethical obligations of the criminal
prosecutor”. In Morality
and The Law, Muraskin, R and Muraskin, M. (Eds).
|
Journal Submission 4 Article Review Due by |
|
April 30 |
Ethical Issues in Corrections |
Pollock, J. M. Ethics in crime and justice
(3rd edition). |
Journal Submission 5 |
|
May 7 |
Course Conclusion |
|
Final Paper Due by |
The following are acceptable scholarly academic journals for article reviews and for the issue paper.
These journals are available through
NAU Cline Library and
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
Administrative Science Quarterly
Harvard Business Review
Industrial Relations
Journal of Human Resources
Journal of Organizational Behavior
Journal of Organizational Behavior Management
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 article reviews.
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
POLICY
STATEMENTS
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
It
is your responsibility to register with the Counseling and
If
the Counseling and
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.
If
you have any problems with WebCT, do not call
me first.
Call the Academic Computing
Help Desk at:
523-9294 in
or
1-888-520-7215