ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 2 SYLLABUS
SIXTEEN WEEK SEMESTER - spring, 2002
February 19 - June 18
steven m. sindell, j.d.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION top
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 2 SYLLABUS
SIXTEEN WEEK SEMESTER - spring, 2002
February 19 - June 18
steven m. sindell, j.d.
COURSE DESCRIPTION top
This course covers substantive criminal law ( murder, rape, robbery, burglary narcotics and weapons possession, etc. ), certain areas of due process of law ( the right to privacy, equal protection under the law, first amendment protections, etc.) and some aspects of procedural law (trials, appeals, grand jury indictments, etc.). We will learn what the actus reus and mens rea is for the crimes we study. The course will also cover the defenses a criminal defendant is likely to assert when charged with a crime. Some of the defenses that will be covered are insanity, entrapment, self defense and necessity.
The course employs a case-study methodology. The case method study approach will teach you how to analyze the facts of a given case and determine which crimes, if any, were committed and by whom.
1. Attendance and Roll
Your attendance will be recorded for each class. By the second meeting you'll be assigned to the seat that you select. This seat selected will become your permanent seat for the entire semester. Please make note of the location of the seat (number and row).
2. Absence Policy
Attendance records will be kept. Attendance will be 10% of your overall grade. You can earn 100% in this category if you do not miss any classes. Each absence will lower your overall percentage in the class by 1%! In other words, a 90% overall average would be lowered to 88% with two absences.
a. Excessive absences: Any student who is absent more than 3 times will be automatically dropped from this class. There will be no exceptions!
b. If your 4th absence occurs within the period during which a W may be given, I will issue a W!
c. If your 4th absence occurs after the period within which a W may be given, I will issue an F.
3. Tardiness top
It is my belief that when students are permitted to enter the classroom late, it disrupts the flow of the work in progress. Accordingly, it is my policy to lock the door to this classroom eight (8) after the particular class is scheduled to start. A student arriving after the grace period will not be admitted AND will be counted absent. Students who enter the class after it starts should always approach their seat from the rear of the room. Please do not walk to your seat by going to front of the room because you will be walking in between me and the students for whom the lecture is being given. Thank you!
4. Sleeping in Class top
I do feel that sleeping in the classroom is inappropriate. A student who is sleeping in class will receive a warning the first time this happens. A second occurrence will result in a loss of 5 full overall percentage points. A third time will result in the student being dropped from the class.
5. Talking in Class top
Discussions between students will not be tolerated. If this does occur, I will give those students involved ONLY ONE WARNING, and I will drop them from the class if it happens again.
6. Policy Regarding Food and Beverage top
Thank you for not bringing food into the classroom. Anyone who does will be asked to dispose of the item(s) outside of the classroom. I have no objection to you bringing a beverage into the classroom provided you remove the containers when you leave and clean up any spillage that occurs.
7. Pagers, Beepers and/or Cellular Phones top
If you do bring one of the above items into the classroom, please make sure that it is turned off. Thank you.
8. Grading Procedures top
Examinations
You will have three (3) UNIT examinations. Each exam will be weighted at one hundred points. The three exams will averaged and will be valued at 65% of your overall class point total. Upon completion of the first unit you will be tested on the material covered within the unit. The second exam will cover only that material covered in the second unit of study. The third and last exam will cover that material studied in the third unit. Should I decide to make the last exam partly comprehensive, I will announce this well in advance of the date that the test is given.
Examination Format
The first and third exams will be entirely objective. The questions will be of a yes-no, true-false, and multiple choice variety. The second exam will be partly objective and partly subjective. I will discuss with you, prior to the test and in great detail, what is expected of you with regard to the essay part of the exam.
You will be allowed to take a make up examination ONLY if you contact me BEFORE the regular scheduled exam is given and IF you have valid reason why you are unable to take the exam at the scheduled hour. Failure to notify me will result in a zero (0) for that particular test.
Quizzes and Quiz Format
In addition to unit examinations, you will be given weekly quizzes, one per chapter (unless informed otherwise). Each quiz will consist of ten (10) to fifteen (15) questions which will be objective. Your quiz scores will be averaged and will amount to 25% of your overall grade in this class. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped automatically! If you miss a quiz due to an absence, you will receive a 0 for that particular quiz. However, all of your quiz scores, including zeros for absences, will appear in the gradesheet. In other words, assume that you receive eleven perfect quiz scores and one very low score. All of your scores will be visible on your spreadsheet but the lowest score will not be factored into your overall quiz average.
Scan Tron 882 and 815
For quizzes, you will need an 815 scan tron. A packet can be purchased in the blook store. For exams, you will need an 882 scan tron. These are also available in the book store.
Grading Adjustment
Under special circumstances, I will adjust your grade upward by reducing the grading scale by 1.5% (but no more). For example, you could conceivably receive an A (instead of a B) if you attain an 88.5% overall average. The circumstances that would cause me to make such an adjustment are: excellent attendance and class participation and preparedness.
Grading Breakdown
Attendance 10% Quizzes
25% Unit Examinations 65%
Grading Philosophy
Your grade will be based on your overall percentage at the end of the semester. I do not grade on a curve because I believe that it is unfair to do so. The grading system that I do use makes it possible for the entire class to earn an A, B, or whatever.
9. Projected Examination Schedule top
First Unit Exam - Begining of 7th week
Second Unit Exam - Begining of 10th week
Third Unit Exam - Last day class meets or date scheduled for final
Note: It is based on the nature of this class, coupled with my teaching philosophies, that it is impossible at this time for me to predict the exact date when an examination will be given. The above schedule is a guestimate.
10. Class Participation top
Discussion of the assigned reading (class participation) is definitely an important part of this class. Cases are assigned for homework and you will be expected to participate in the class discussions. I will ask questions pertaining to the facts and law set forth in the assigned material. Although somewhat anxiety producing at first, it is this aspect of this course which distinguishes it from others, and in my opinion, makes it a productive learning experience.
11. Video Material top
Throughout this semester, you will be shown video material that corresponds to the particular chapters that we are discussing. This material is not available other than in class at the time it is shown.
12. Textbook top
Criminal Law, 7th ed. (this is the only book that is required for the course)
Joel Samaha
ISBN 0-534-56358-9
Wadsworth/ThomsonLearningNote: You must have the 7th edition! It is available in the book store.
13. Extra Credit Projects top
You will have the opportunity to earn two (2) extra percentage points this semester by submitting the required extra credit projects for this course. One project consists of two anonymous evaluations of this course. One will be due midway through this semester and the other at the end. Each evaluation is worth one half of one percentage point. The other project will involve a written assignment that relates to an area that will be covered in this course. I will tell you more about this project later in the semester. Thus, it is possible to improve your overall standing in this course by 2 full percentage points assuming that you receive full credit on these projects. In other words, a student who has an overall 88% in this class, can improve her score to 90%.
I have also provided you with a link to current events that relate to the subject matter being covered in class. It is a good idea for you to keep abreast of the current events. Part of your class participation can consist of commenting upon an article that relates to what is being covered in class that particular day.
Anonymous Evaluation Guidelines: Will be provided during the semester
14. Office Hours and Contact Information top
Office hours: Tues. & Thus: 7-7:50 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:30 p.m.
Voice Mail is: (310) 434-4638 (allow 5 rings before it will pick up)
E-Mail is: SINDELL_STEVEN@smc.edu
Internet address is: http://homepage.smc.edu/sindell_steven/
Office location: Room 220-H in the Business Building, 2d floor.
16. Briefing Of Cases top
I expect you to learn the art of 'case briefing'. I will provide you with a case brief template for your convenience. I strongly recommend that you xerox 50 copies, back to back, of the template. These two sided copies will be a cost savings!
The case briefing method will give you great assistance in learning the assigned material and it will prepare you for the class discussions as well. See chapter 2, page 42, and the pages that follow for an explanation regarding the approach to reading, analyzing and briefing cases. I will also spend time during the first two weeks of this semester explaining how to brief cases. Click HERE to access Case Brief Template.
17. Reading Assignments top
CHAPTER PRIMARY CASES NOTES CASES None in the chapter (0) Read all note cases! Read all primary cases (5) Read all note cases! Real all primary cases (4) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (6) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (6) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (6) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (10) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (10) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (12) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (8) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (3) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (7) Read all note cases! Read all prmary cases (3) Read all note cases!
First Exam: Chaps. 1-6 Second Exam: Chaps. 7-9 Third Exam: Chaps. 10-13 I have provided you with a link to current events that relate to your assigned reading. For the current events, Click here!
Santa Monica College Administration Regulation Students
AR 5312.1 - 121791
Code of Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy
Santa Monica College, as a community-oriented, open-door, educational institution whose purpose is to educate and enlighten those members of the community who seek knowledge, cannot and will not tolerate academic dishonesty. In order to uphold the academic integrity of the institution, all members of the academic community, faculty and students alike, must assume responsibility for providing an educational environment of the highest standards characterized by a spirit of academic honesty; therefore, given this premise, under no circumstances will academic dishonesty be tolerated at this institution.
Definition and Examples of Academic Dishonesty
Santa Monica College defines academic dishonesty as the act of or assistance in deceiving, including fraud or deception, in any academic exercise. This includes, but is not limited to, the following actions not authorized by the instructor or testing officer:
using study aids such as calculators, tape recorders or notes
allowing another individual to assume one's identity for the purpose of enhancing one's grade in any of the following: testing, field trips, or attendance
falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and or grade rosters
representing the words, ideas or work of another as one's own in any academic exercise (plagiarism), including the use of commercial term paper companies
changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment or experiment with the intent to defraud
copying or allowing another student to copy from one's paper or answer sheet during an examination
inventing information for the purpose of completing a laboratory experiment or case study analysis with the intent to defraud.
giving and or taking information during an examination by any means including sign language, hand signals or secret codes
Responsibility of Santa Monica College Students
The ultimate success of this code of academic conduct will depend in large part to the degree to which it is willingly endorsed and supported by student. In order to achieve this support, the following recommendations are made to the students of Santa Monica College.
1. It is the responsibility of each student to conduct him/herself in a manner which encourages learning and prohibits academic dishonesty; and
2. To act with fairness towards other students in the classroom. This incorporates the notion that students should not seek an unfair advantage over other SMC students when completing an assignment, taking an examination or engaging in any other kind of academic activity.
Consequences for Infractions of Academic Honesty
Given an alleged violation of academic honesty, any or all of the following actions may be imposed:
The instructor may assign a failing grade to the examination or assignment in which the alleged cheating or plagiarism occurred.
In more serious instances, the instructor may assign a failing grade for the course, upon consultation with the Department Chair.
The instructor may dismiss the student from the class or activity for the present and/or following class session.
In me severe incidents of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to impersonation, stealing exams or research papers or repeated violations, the Campus Disciplinarian may suspend or recommend expulsion of a student from the college.
Responsibility of Santa Monica College Faculty
In order to maintain an environment free of academic dishonesty, the following recommendations are made to faculty regarding their responsibility to uphold the academic integrity of Santa Monica College:
Make every attempt to conduct their classroom in a manner which encourages honorable behavior and learning, to ensure student success and discourage academic dishonesty; and
Inform students of the course requirements, grading procedures and expectations for acceptable academic conduct and behavior, and
Inform students of the SMC policy on academic conduct and the consequences to be implemented if any behavior counter to the policy occurs; and
inform students of their right to due process should they wish to contest the cheating allegation
Reporting a Violation
Given an alleged incident of academic dishonesty, it is recommended that a faculty member adhere to the following procedures:
Inform the student of the nature of the alleged violation and the impending course of action
Complete the Academic Dishonesty Report Form and submit, along with any related evidence, the first copy to the Campus Disciplinarian and the second copy of the form to the student within ten (10) working days of the allegation. The Campus Disciplinarian will, in turn, send copies to the Campus Ombudsperson and the Department Chair, and place a copy in the student's disciplinary records as defined in the Student Conduct Appeals Procedures. This information shall remain a part of the records for two years providing there are no further acts of misconduct.
Appeal Procedure
Given an alleged violation of academic honesty, a Santa Monica College student has the right to appeal the action taken by the faculty member through the appeal procedures established by the college.
When the penalty of academic dishonesty is examination, assignment or course failure, upon request within five working days of notification of the allegation, the student charged with misconduct shall be provided the opportunity of a conference with the campus Ombudsperson (or designee). Such a conference will be arranged by the Campus Ombudsperson (or designee) at the request of the student and notice will be given to all participating members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
If the conference yields no informal resolution satisfactory to the student, the student may file a formal Petition for Review of Grade with the Dean of Admissions and Records. Such a filing must be made within ninety (90) calendar days following the date of the Academic Dishonesty Report Form. For further information regarding this procedure, please refer to Grade Appeals process as outlined in the Santa Monica Administrative Regulations.
