.......... local corrections

.......... state corrections

.......... electric chair

INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS

CJ 130

This class is usually the first class most students take. It provides a comprehensive overview of corrections, dealing with both jails and prisons, male, female, and juvenile offenders, as well as the historical development of corrections and the legal processing from the street to the prison. We also spend time discussing the role of a Corrections Officer and developing skills that will be of value to future Corrections Officers.

**Instructed by Michele Whitaker in the Fall and Winter semesters.**

AVAILABILITY OUTSIDE OF CLASS:

e-mail: emwhitak@delta.edu

(for school-related communication only-please do not send jokes)

fax.: (989) 667-2211

MAIN OFFICE (Main Campus): G-126 (989) 686-9063

Page Contents:

course syllabus
recommended books and videos--to satisfy your personal curiosities
other corrections links--for exploration, research and fun

CJ 130 SYLLABUS

COURSE TEXT:

A) Carlson, Norman, Hess, Karen, Orthmann, Christine. (1999). Corrections in the 21st century, 1st ed.
Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont, CA.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To provide the student with a basic working knowledge of many diverse aspects of the correctional process. Emphasis is given, but not limited to, the history and development of corrections, various jurisdictionally-based correctional institutions, the correctional process through the criminal justice system, correctional treatment of various types of offenders by age, gender or criminal history, and the role of corrections in the total system of criminal justice. The roles and responsibilities of the corrections officer, and specific challenges often confronting the officer will also be explored.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A) EXAMINATIONS:

All examinations will be announced. A total of three (3) examinations will be given.
Examinations will be some combination of objective and subjective (essay) questions. The final exam will NOT be cumulative.

B) RESEARCH & INTERVIEW PROJECT: Students are required to submit a research-based interview on their specific area of interest in the corrections/CJ field.

C) PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENTS: Credit can only be attained through participation. There is no make-up option for participation assignments.

Campus Familiarization Assignment: In-class "scavenger hunt" for key campus locations.
Guest Speaker Questions: In-class submission of 2+ questions and their answers from the MDOC recruiter.
Cover Letter Assignment: In-class development of a cover letter to be used during the mock interview.
Mock Interview: In-class mock interviews with a corrections professional, to assist students in developing interview skills.

D) ATTENDANCE: As part of the grade, students are required to attend class, to be prompt and to respect the learning atmosphere.

GRADING:

A) Examinations will make up 50% of the overall grade.

B) The research and interview project will make up 20% of the overall grade..

C) Participation Assignments will make up 20% of the overall grade.

D) Attendance will make up 10% of the overall grade.

E) Grading will be done on a straight scale:
                  90-100%....A
                  80-89%...B
                  70-79%...C
                  60-69%...D
                  Below 60%..Failing

F) Mid-term grades will be based upon any exams, group sessions, and assignments prior to that date.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS:

One and only one make-up exam will be permitted on either of the first two exams. Arrangements must be made with the instructor in advance, and taken within two (2) weeks of the missed exam. No make-up will be permitted on the final exam. Make-up exams will be essay format only.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

CHEATING or DISHONESTY of ANY KIND will NOT be tolerated. Any student found cheating will receive a failing grade on that exam or assignment and may be subject to expulsion from the course. Students are expected to do their own work. Submitting the work of another person as your own is cheating.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is expected at all classes, and will be a subjective factor in grading. Timeliness is an adult responsibility; repeated tardiness will result in a loss of points. A sign-in sheet will be passed each class period; it is the student's responsibility to sign in each class meeting.

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

Students are responsible for reading assigned text material. Normally lectures will not duplicate readings, but will instead augment readings with additional material specifically germane to appropriate topics identified on the syllabus course outline.

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