Potter, G.W., and Kappeler, V.E. (2006). Constructing Crime. Waveland Press.

Surette, R. (2007). Media, Crime, and Criminal Justice. Wadsworth.

Nine multiple choice exams will be given during the first half of the semester (one for each assigned chapter in the Surette text). Each exam will be completed in the cjcampus classroom. The same format is used for each quiz - 10 to 15 questions, 20 minutes for each attempt. The format of these assignments provides partial credit for missed responses, so be sure to closely review information regarding format. The cjcampus calendar and clock is ruthless and will not allow you to take late exams. Missed exams are recorded as a zero. Make-up exams are given only in extreme circumstances. Please keep up with your assignments. Pace yourself. Do not wait till the last day of the week to complete your assignments.

Online Assignments: (25%)

Nine online assignments will be offered throughout the semester. These assignments typically include an online activity and a written response. Some activities can be easily completed in a few minutes while other assignments require research and a written essay. Several of these assignments are connected and will involve activity throughout the semester. See the online classroom for more information.

Class Discussions: (25%)

Ten discussion question will be posted throughout the semester. As with the assignments, the requirements will vary. Instructions are included with the postings. In general, students will be expected to formulate a response to the discussion question and post at least two comments that refer to the responses of other students. Posts must demonstrate your understanding of the readings and/or your analysis of assigned videos or other media content. Posts that are limited to personal opinion are not acceptable.

You will be expected to write four brief (2 - 3 page) analyses of media coverage of a crime and/or justice issue. Provide a critical analysis of news, literature, television, movie, internet, or other media coverage of the issue. Consider whether the media is presenting a balanced, factual, informative coverage of the issue. Consider the implications of the media presentation of events. Analyze a variety of sources. These papers should reflect a broad analysis of issues related to justice in the media. Write about media coverage of the event - not the event itself. 

Participation and Engagement (-10)

This course will be better if you talk more and I talk less. I prefer not to dominate the discussion so each of you will need to remain active throughout the course. You all have interesting ideas and viewpoints and we learn more by sharing and trying to understand various views. The assumption is that you will participate and remain engaged throughout the class. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of up to 10 points from the final grade.

Note that this criteria includes participation and engagement. While we may be able to assess participation through a simple count of posts, we are also interested in active engagement throughout the course. Engagement is demonstrated by remaining active each week, submitting assignments on time, joining discussions at the beginning of each week, and helping each other create a vibrant learning environment.

Teaching Strategies

This course has been designed as an "online learning environment." You are all familiar with the dynamic of the classroom - the professor may lecture while students listen and occasionally interact. Most classrooms are designed as "teaching environments." Students may not be an integral part of a teaching environment and in some cases the class could be held even if no students were in attendance.

In contrast, the online learning environment requires student engagement. In fact, the environment fails to function if students are not engaged. As the professor, Dr. Mentor has designed this course and included materials that if consumed, will result in learning. Like the story of "leading a horse to water," this course environment is the water. To make it work, you must each "take a drink."

You are all expected to help each other. Your professor has a great deal of knowledge about the subject matter. Each student in this class also has knowledge that can help us learn. For example, if a student posts a question to the discussion forum we do not need to wait for an "official" response form the professor. Help each other learn as we make our way through the materials.

Deadlines are not suggestions. All written material will rapidly lose points in the days following the due date. Zero points will be awarded for missed assignments.

ADA

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695. Please see http://www.uncp.edu/dss/ for more information.

Class withdrawal is your responsibility. If you disappear, we will wonder where you are. However, we will not drop you from the class. Withdrawals should follow University procedure. The student is responsible for obtaining all necessary signatures on drop slips.

A very high price can be paid when you are caught cheating. Too high to risk. All written material must be your own composition. Appropriate credit must be given for sources used in developing your ideas and arguments. Provide appropriate citations. It is easy to see when large sections of text have been lifted from other Web pages. This is quite easy to verify as well.

It is not appropriate to submit work that was originally completed for another course.

NOTE: The penalties for engaging in any of these acts of academic misconduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis, but will follow general university guidelines as to severity.

Classroom climate is not solely the Professor's responsibility. We encourage each of you to engage in conversation on any issue. The University is a place for free speech, limited through individual choice. These choices may be altered with awareness of the real or potential reaction of others. However, you should not be intimidated into keeping quiet. We do not condone racist, sexist, homophobic, or other hateful speech. You are all adults, capable of understanding generally accepted rules of conduct and modifying your behavior in an effort to comply with these social or legal expectations. You are responsible for your behavior.

If grades are made available online, be advised that if there is any error the grade you receive from the registrar is your official grade. Grade changes will be made only in cases of data or computation error. Please do not ask, beg, or otherwise attempt to change a properly computed grade.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

August 2006 - Kenneth Mentor