HAWAII COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (AJ)
SPRING 2006
AJ 280 CURRENT ISSUES IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Course Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an Online course, which focuses on current issues in the criminal
justice system, including examination of recent textual materials, government
reports and problems within the criminal justice system. Students will be
required to do research papers for Online Discussion Questions.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Gather appropriate research materials on a selected AJ topic.
Critically analyze current issues in AJ and their effects on society.
Utilize electronic technology to obtain research and communicate with others.
Write a properly annotated research papers.
COURSE MATERIALS:
There is no textbook to buy. Course materials for this class include recent
journals, news articles, web-linked videos and government reports, all which can
be obtained from the course menu on WebCt.
COURSE EVALUATION GRADES
Homepage (20 pts.) & 2 Peer Responses (5 pts.) 25 Points 382 – 425 = A
Reaction Papers (8 @ 25 pts. each) 200 points 340 – 381 = B
Discussions (4 @ 50 pts. each) 200 points 297 – 339 = C
TOTAL 425 Points 255 – 296 = D
Below 239 = F
WEBCT TUTORIAL:
For some of you, this may be your first Online course. The most important thing
for you to consider about this course is "How comfortable are you with WebCt"?
The first week of instruction will be dedicated towards learning how to navigate
through WebCt so you can succeed in this class. For those of you who are
experienced in taking Online courses please proceed on to the Student Homepage
assignment. You may also assist others by answering questions and posting
suggestions on how to navigate WebCt on the Discussion Forum. Here are some
links that will help you understand and navigate through WebCt:
http://www.hawaii.edu/talent/webctfacultysupport/studentFAQ.htm
http://www.svcc.edu/services/it/flash/guide/
http://cdl.panam.edu/Home/Student_Resources/WebCT_Tutorial/
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
HOMEPAGE: (20 Pts)
Introduce yourself to the class and include the following: your name, where you
are from, what college you attend, your major, your educational goal, your
career goal, your experience in taking Online courses, something special about
yourself and in a separate paragraph answer the following question: Why is it
important to study current issues? The following link will assist you in
creating your Homepage http://cdl.panam.edu/Home/Student_Resources/WebCT_Tutorial/index.cfm?FuseAction=stools
. To add text, you can either write directly on to Upper or Lower Text Blocks of
the Options: Textblock tool OR Copy and Paste a word document to the window and
use the HTML editor to organize your text. If you are going to add a picture or
symbol, you will need to save it first in the “My Pictures” file of your
computer, then upload it on to your Homepage, using the Customize tool.
PEER RESPONSES: (5 Pts.) Last, please respond to at least two of your peers’
Homepages in the Discussion forum.
8 REACTION PAPERS: (25 pts. each)
You will be required to write eight (8) Reaction Papers (RP) to the Reading and
Video Assignments. The purpose of the RP assignment is to get you to think
critically about what you read in a journal/article or watched on the assignment
videos. Respond by writing your thoughts, experiences and feelings about the
subject matter. Your RP papers must contain at least 500 words or 2 pages,
double-spaced, with 1 inch borders. Your RP will be graded on the amount of
critical thinking and effort you put into your paper. You are to upload your RP
on Assignments, which is located on the Course Menu. Here are some questions you
should think about while reading or watching the video assignments.
1. How do I feel about what I am reading or watching?
2. Do I agree or disagree with the subject matter?
3. What are the implications or effects to the Administration of Justice?
4. How does it affect me, my family, significant others or my community?
4 DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENTS (50 Pts each):
There will be four (4) Structured Discussions on assigned research topics. The
purpose of the discussions is to increase critical thinking and allow other
perspectives to challenge your own and your peers’ opinions about Administration
of Justice Issues. You will be required to post a minimum of 4 postings,
including your Answer and 3 Questions/answers posed to peers, per discussion. In
addition, you are required to answer all questions asked by your peers.
POSTING DISCUSSION ANSWERS:
Using specific examples from the course journal articles and from any other
research obtained independently, or WebCt study resources, post a fully
developed Answer to the Discussion question. Be sure to cite your
sources/references, including page numbers or internet sites. Content must be
illustrated in each posting. Post your answers anytime on Sunday up until
Tuesday by 11:55 pm. POST ONLY ANSWERS DURING THIS PERIOD. YOU MAY READ OTHER
STUDENTS ANSWERS DURING THIS PERIOD, BUT DO NOT BEGIN RESPONDING TO THEM UNTIL
WEDNESDAY! THIS WILL GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO POST THEIR ANSWERS BEFORE
THE DISCUSSION BEGINS.
POSTING PEER RESPONSES:
Starting anytime on Wednesday up until Friday at 11:55 pm, you will be required
read your peers’ answers and posts a minimum of 3 responses to their Answers.
Your responses can either defend your position that a peer has challenged and/or
deconstruct the other students’ thesis, challenging his/her conclusions or
evidence and overall opinions. Make sure your response is content oriented,
using specific examples to challenge your peer or defend your position.
Specifically, you are required to review a minimum of two peer assignments and
pose questions that require your peers to further discuss the material. All
questions you ask should include content focus.
Finally, you are required to answer all questions asked by your peers about your
work. All the answers you develop should have content focus that includes
specific facts from readings and research. You should have a minimum of 4
postings by the Friday 11:55 pm deadline for each discussion to earn full
credit; your answer to the assigned question and at least three questions posed
to your peers/or answers to questions posed to you by your peers all with
content focus. In other words, push yourself and your peers to critically
evaluate the discussion question.
DISCUSSION TOPICS/QUESTIONS
DISCUSSION # 1 FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND THE HUI MALAMA CASE
Using specific examples from the course journals/articles and from any other
research obtained independently post a fully developed Answer to the Discussion
question. Be sure to cite your sources/references, including page numbers or
internet sites.
1. How does the First Amendment affect our ability to live and engage in a Free
society without fear of reprisal from the government and others?
2. How is the Hui Malama Issue relevant to the First Amendment regarding
Religion?
3. Do you agree or disagree with Hui Malama's position? Explain.
Post your Answer between Sun., Feb. 5 and Tues., Feb. 7 by the 11:55pm Deadline.
Post your Responses/Questions to Peers, between Wed, Feb 8 and Fri., Feb. 10 by
the 11:55pm Deadline.
DISCUSSION # 2 FREEDOM OR SAFETY? YOU DECIDE.
Using specific examples from the course journals/articles and from any other
research obtained independently post a fully developed Answer to the Discussion
question. Be sure to cite your sources/references, including page numbers or
internet sites.
1. How can we, as a society, best balance individual rights and personal
freedoms with social control and respect for legitimate authority?
2. What are the implications of the Patriot Act II on the quality of life for
people who live in America?
3. Is unwarranted Government Wiretapping and Electronic Monitoring a good thing
for America? Explain.
Post your Answer between Sun., March 5 and Tues., March 7 by the 11:55 pm
Deadline.
Post your Responses/Questions to Peers, between Wed., March 8 and Fri., March 10
by the 11:55pm Deadline.
DISCUSSION # 3 TO BE ANNOUNCED (TBA)
DISCUSSION # 4 TBA
Class Notes