Allen University
- CJT 206 – Introduction to Law Enforcement
- Kelvin C. Davis Office Location: Campus Mall
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice M-F: 10 am – 1 pm
Division of Business, Education, and Social Science
Email: kdavis@allenuniversity.edu
Office Phone: 803-376-5754
- Course Name and Description
This course examines the police function, an analysis of crime prevention and control, and major problems and needs of the law enforcement segment of the criminal justice system.
Throughout this course, you will be learning new vocabulary and concepts embedded in the reading assignments and class discussions. You are expected to be able to define and give examples of these concepts in your written and oral communications as well as exams. Attendance is critical to your learning processes. At the conclusion of this course the students should:
• recognize the main ideas and supporting details in assigned course materials;
• possess a working knowledge of the U.S. Constitution;
• develop research skills, utilizing both primary and secondary sources;
• show respect for diversity of thought through classroom discussion;
• apply vocabulary strategies to infer meaning and use new words correctly;
• demonstrate critical reading and writing skills by interpreting and applying legal concepts appropriately.
V. Course Policies
Attendance is measured by participation in, completion of and submission of online course assignments as assigned/outlined in the course syllabus, schedule and on the course online page. Absence from this course is determined by the lack of discussion forum post and assignment submissions. Absence from 1 week of a course is considered excessive, whether excused or unexcused. Please note that merely logging onto the online learning platform (eLearning) is not synonymous with participation. If you do not participate in discussion forums and submit weekly assignments, you will be counted as absent from the course. For absences that are considered excessive, your instructor may contact the Vice President of Student Affairs, who will research the reasons for said absences and will move forward with scheduling a meeting with you and the appropriate unit head. In some instances, excessive absences will be addressed as combined effort between Vice President of Student Affairs, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Division Dean and/or the Department Chair.
Other Pertinent Policies that affect class attendance, conduct and academic performance can be found in the university's Student Handbook at http://www.allenuniversity.edu/student-handbook/.
Note the following:
- Class Attendance and Excused Absences-p. 10
- Plagiarism-p. 38
- Student Conduct to include disruptive behavior-p. 36-39
- Dress Code-p. 9
- Satisfactory Academic Progress-p.16-17
- Provisions for Disabled or Special Need Students-p. 19-20
Electronic Usage Policy: Students are required to have access to a computer in order to complete the requirements of this course. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and maintain computer access throughout the course.
Late Assignment Policy: Due to the nature of course design and setup, students are provided assignments and instructions in advance of due dates. This eliminates the need for makeups. However, should a student have circumstances that prohibits the completion of their coursework, students have up to 2 days beyond the due date to present that late work. The late submission will be subjected to a 10 percent deduction for each week it is late. This policy is to provide for fair grading and allow for instructor feedback for all assignments. NO assignments will be graded beyond one week late and subsequently a grade of 0 will be recorded.
VI. Course Units
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
- discuss the historical underpinnings of modern-day law enforcement;
- discuss the bureaucratic division of labor in law enforcement agencies;
- describe the federal law enforcement system and agencies therein;
- outline the types of state and local law enforcement agencies;
- discuss the importance of patrol to the order maintenance function;
- describe the impact of stress upon law enforcement officers;
- discuss the history and current influence of police unions;
- describe the problem of and various types of police corruption.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
WEEK
|
Unit/Objective
|
Required Materials (Readings, Video, etc.)
|
Assessment/Assignments
|
Week 1:
August 16
|
Class Introductions; Origins and Evolution of American Policing
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 2:
August 28
|
Policing in American Context; Law Enforcement Agencies and Their Organization
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 3:
September 4
|
Becoming a Cop
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 4:
September 11
|
Police Subculture; Police Discretion and Behavior
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 5:
September 18
|
Core Police Function
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 6:
September 25
|
Community policing and Community Involvement; Policing in the Modern Era
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 7:
October 2
|
Policing and the Law
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 8:
October 9
|
Civil Liability and Accountability; Deviance, Ethics, and Professionalism
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 9:
October 16
|
The Use of Force
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 10:
October 23
|
Police Administration; The Nature of Police Work
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 11:
October 30
|
Police Goals and Systems; Police Organizational Tasks
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 12:
November 6
|
Principles and Policies in the Police Organization
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 13:
November 13
|
Functions of Police Management; The Police Executive
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 14:
November 27
|
Individuals and Groups in the Police Organization; Developing the Police Organization
|
Assigned Reading
|
Assignments
|
Week 15:
December 4
|
Final Exam
|
|
|
|
|
|
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VII. Suggested Vocabulary
Throughout this course you will be learning new concepts embedded in the reading assignments and class discussions. You are expected to be able to define and give examples of these concepts in your written and oral communications, quizzes, exams, and papers.
VIII. Course Evaluation: The Final Grade will be based upon the following:
- Quizzes: 40%
- Exams: 20%
- Writing Assignments: 20%
- Participation: 20%
(Extra Credit may be earned by attending Division/Department activities.)
- Midterm Exam: Week of October 9
- Final Exam: Week of December 4
- A (90-100%)
- B (80-89%)
- C (70-79%)
- D (60-69%)
- F (59% and below)
IX. Course Textbook: The following text will be required:
The Police: An Introduction, by Michael D. Lyman, ISBN-13:978-0-13-500566-8
X. Course Reading, Listening, and/or Videos: Additional course content is posted on learning and will be explained in class and throughout the course.