Web-Based
Course Facilitator:
Thomas
Franklin Waters, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Send Email: Tom.Waters@nau.edu
928.344.7739
NOTE OF PRECAUTION:
Please thoroughly read this syllabus. DO NOT expect to do well in this course without following the directions carefully. A thorough understanding, not only of the objectives of the courses, but of the technological requirements made of students taking this course is absolutely necessary for successful completion of this course. THIS IS A RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, PRESENTATION, AND INTERACTIVE INTENSIVE COURSE. If you do not have the technological skills to navigate the WEB and if you are not yet prepared to take a course which requires good writing and research techniques, this course may not be for you. Stay off the Train........
TEXTBOOK AND REQUIRED MATERIALS:
There is no required textbook for this course. In addition to the outlines provided by the faculty on the WEB Page for each assignment, participants are expected to seek out primary research materials, facts, data and information for use in responding to course assignments.
COURSE STRUCTURE & APPROACH:
CJ 325 is a web based course offered through:
The teaching approach in this course includes: research; use of the Internet; assignments on WebCT; & participation.
As a learning community, faculty and participants share in the exploration of empirically sound facts and information concerning drug issues and the law. Participants are expected to present and share their interpretation of the course topics with each other and the faculty using a variety of technological tools.
Use of Technology:
1. Internet
2. Email (NAU "dana" accounts only)
3. Use of WebCT.
4. New Technologies or Applications as may be appropriate.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
There are no prerequisites for CJ 325; however, participants are expected to be fully engaged in course activities and assignments. Participation requires that all work be of a level which is generally expected for an upper division, writing intensive course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CJ 325 Drug Issues and the Law (3). Examines theories and research regarding causes and consequences of illegal drug usage, and its effect on the justice system.
One of the most important social problems facing our society today is that of drug and alcohol abuse. This problem cuts across all cultures, social classes and racial groups. It affects the economy of our country as well as the image we as a nation project to other peoples. It is a political issue of not just national but international proportion.
This course is designed to provide an overview of drug and alcohol problems and their relationship to the criminal justice system and society in general. The drug problem is international in scope, therefore the relationship of the drug problem with the criminal justice system will be international.
Drug and alcohol use and abuse will be discussed from both a historical and a current issue perspective, with emphasis being placed on the economic and social costs for society. Additionally, the role of the criminal justice system as an agent of social control in the containment of drug and alcohol abuse will be reviewed.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Through the use of WebCT the students will use an analytical and, where appropriate, an empirical approach, to achieve the following course objectives.
1. This course is designed to provide the interested student with information concerning the historical development, function, and administration of the justice system in its relationship to society, with a focus on drug and alcohol use. Students will also be required to submit their own research on these topics.
2. The student will be introduced to problems centering on the interaction between the criminal justice system, drug and alcohol abusers and the society in general. Using an empirical approach, students will be asked to share their own research on the impact of drugs on the criminal justice system.
3. The student will be expected to learn terms, concepts, and theoretical approaches which will aid in an understanding of the relationships that exist between the criminal justice system, drug and alcohol abuse and society. Students are expected to use these terms, concepts and theoretical approaches as they develop their responses to the class assignments.
By the end of the course, through the use of the course materials, the discussions and posting of assignments in WebCT, sharing of information and analytical thinking students will be able make constructive and informed responses to the following questions:
1. Is there a drug problem in the United States?
2. If there is a drug problem, what did it result from and how has it been sustained?
3. If there is a drug problem, how effective are current criminal justice responses to the problem?
4. What are the characteristics of drug abusers?
5. Does culture\race\gender\age\social status\education affect drug abuse? ______________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT:
1. All participants in this course will conduct themselves in accordance with all NAU Policies.
2. All work shall be turned in on time, regardless of individual technological problems. Any work turned in late will be penalized. Course deadlines and assignments are posted WebCT. (Also see Deadlines and Evaluations of Assignments for more information).
3. All students must participate in all assignments.
4. All students must have access to the Internet, must be able to use the WebCT and have an NAU "dana" account. If you do not have a "dana" account, get one, if you cannot get one, drop the course.
5. All email communication to the professor must be on "dana" and posted through WebCT.
6. You are encouraged to think outside of the "BOX" in developing your responses to the questions posed to you throughout the course; however. You must use the appropriate citations and research to develop your answers.
7. Debate is encouraged, but you must respect the opinions, experiences, thoughts and ideas of others.
8. You are encouraged to use technology and explore the WEB as you move through this course.
Click here to Go to NAU Policy Statements
Each participant will be graded in this course based on the evaluation of the instructors using the following criteria:
Take
the "A" Train.....................
The "A" Train :
1. Complete and post all assignments to WebCT as scheduled and work product (content, organization, depth of research, grammar, references, readability) is of the "highest" quality.
2. Use of technology, including but not limited to the ability to post the assignment to WebCT, and the ability to accurately post URLs that are used as references, is of the "highest" quality.
3. Overall contribution to the assignment is of the "highest" quality.
The "B" Train:
1. Complete and post all assignments to WebCT as scheduled and work product (content, organization, depth of research, grammar, references, readability) is of "above average" quality.
2.. Use of technology, including but not limited to the ability to post the assignment to WebCT, and the ability to accurately post URLs that are used as references, is of "above average" quality.
3. Overall contribution to the assignment is of "above average" quality.
The "C" :
1. Complete and post all assignments to WebCT as scheduled and work product (content, organization, depth of research, grammar, references, readability) is of "average" quality.
2. Use of technology, including but not limited to the ability to post the assignment to WebCT, and the ability to accurately post URLs that are used as references, is of "average" quality.
3. Overall contribution to the assignment is of "average" quality.
Assignment due dates.......!!!!!!
Please note: All assignments are due as scheduled. Assignment 1 is due Sunday, January 18 at 11:55 PM. All remaining assignments are due May 2 at 11:55 PM. No late assignments will reviewed for credit. The course is"self-paced"..... except for Assignmnet 1 all other assignments are due as scheduled in WebCT. You can upload your work at anytime.
Value of Course Work:
17 Assignments @ 100 points each = 1700 points
Grading:
1530 -1700 = A
1360 - 1529 = B
1190 - 1359 = C
1029 - 1189 = D
1019 & Below = Nice Try!
Expectations:
