CCJ 4054 OW 59 Syllabus Spring 2013 Rhyne

CCJ 4054-OW59
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ETHICS
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
SPRING 2013
INSTRUCTOR: DR. DEBORAH WOODWARD RHYNE


Course Description
This course focuses on the ethical issues and problems commonly encountered in the criminal
justice system (police, courts and corrections).
Course Prerequisites:
None
Course Credits: 3
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
•
•
•
•

Explain the difference between moral and ethical issues
Apply critical thinking and analytical skills regarding ethical issues within the criminal
justice system
Identify the relationship significance of the leadership role as it pertains to agency ethics
Examine the significance and importance of maintaining ethical behaviors in public service

Required Text
Pollock, J.M. (2012) Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (7th ed.)
New York, NY: Pearson Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-1-111-34643
Note: An 8th Edition may be available for this text, but since the publisher could not guarantee

the publication before start of Spring 2013, we are using the current available 7th edition.
Required/Recommended Downloads:
Adobe Reader
/>Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer and Word Viewers />Technical Support
I will advise you immediately that I am NOT the technical person to contact with any computer
issues and/or issues regarding the access to your class.
Additional link for support: Your technical support phone number
is: 407-823-3808.


** If you notice that your postings are not appearing on the site, notify technical support
immediately! More than likely, if this happens, it is a setting on your computer that is easy to
correct.
For Your Protection
For those of you currently working in the CJ system in some capacity, it is understood that your
statements, comments and replies in class are your personal views and do not necessarily reflect
the professional beliefs and practices of your agency. All statements, comments and replies in
this course are for educational purposes only and are to further enhance the quality of the
educational experience.
Disruptive Behavior
Any member of the University community who intentionally acts to impair, interfere with, or
obstruct the mission, purposes, order, operations, processes, and functions of the University shall
be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities for disruptive conduct, as
described in the applicable rules and laws governing such personnel actions. This sanction
includes those acts considered disruptive in the online environment as well and will be
addressed accordingly.
University Policies
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using another’s work without giving credit to that person or source. Plagiarism of
any kind will not be tolerated. Any student failing to properly credit ideas or materials taken

from another is plagiarizing. Any acts of plagiarism will result in an immediate failing grade in
the course.
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating
UCF is committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Conduct that constitutes a breach of
this policy may result in academic and/or disciplinary action. Academic action affects a student’s
assignments, examinations, or grades. Disciplinary action affects a student’s enrollment status.
Cheating is a violation of student academic behavior standards. The common forms of cheating
include:
Unauthorized assistance; communication to another through written, visual, or oral means. The
presentation of material that has not been studied/learned but obtained through someone else’s
efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment, or project constitutes a violation.
The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course-related material may also constitute
cheating.


Plagiarism whereby another’s work is deliberately used or appropriated without any indication of
the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own. Any
student failing to properly credit ideas or materials taken from another is plagiarizing.
Any student who knowingly helps another violate academic behavior standards is also in
violation of the standards. If academic dishonesty/cheating is discovered, I reserve the right to
issue an F on that assignment, an F for the course and/or pursue matters through the College
Dean and Dean of Students.
Z Grade Designation for Academic Dishonesty
•
•

•

The University Undergraduate Policy and Curriculum Committee of the Faculty Senate
has approved the use of the Z designation policy.

Adopting the Z designation reaffirms the importance of civic responsibility by faculty
and students to ensure that degrees earned at UCF are of high quality and subject to clear
and high standards.
Student and faculty focus groups consulted indicated strong support for this policy.

Action and Assignment of "Z" designation:
•

As a result of academic dishonesty in a course, an appropriate grade will be assigned to a
student that is preceded by the letter Z.

** Please read additional information at: />Golden Rule
Students are expected to respect others and adhere to the Rules of Conduct described in The
Golden Rule which can be found at:
Students with Disabilities Information
The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all
persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course
must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations.
No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request
accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability
Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone
(407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.


University Writing Center
The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF undergraduates and graduates.
At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're
writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing.
Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an
appointment, visit the UWC website at , stop by MOD 608, or call

407.823.2197.
Dr. Rhyne’s Office Location
UCF Brevard Regional Campus
Criminal Justice: Building 3 Suite 333
1519 Clearlake Avenue
Cocoa, Florida 32922
Room 359 (Instructor Office)
Email:
(321) 433-7944
Standard Office Hours
Standard Office Hours:
Monday and Thursday 3:45 – 6:00 PM
UCF/Brevard/Cocoa Campus
It is advisable if you wish to meet with me at my office, to call and make an appointment to
ensure I can give you my undivided attention.
Use the mail feature within the course to correspond with me directly.
Student Evaluation
Grading Scale

Letter Grade
A

Point
s
93 –
100
points


A-

90 –
92
points

B+

87 –
89
points

B

83 –
86
points

B-

80 –
82
points

C+

77 –
79
points

C

73 –
76
points

C-

70 –
72
points

D+

67 –
69
points

D

63 –
66
points

D-

60 –
62
points

F

59 and
below

Late Policy


All discussions/assignments/quizzes/tests which are not submitted by the due date will be given a
zero (0). Due dates will be specifically listed on the calendar. Your course has weekly
discussions which you are expected to complete on time. Tests are closed after the due date.
There will be no make-ups for missed exams.
Extra Credit Policy
There is no extra credit in this course
Incomplete Policy
There are no incompletes given unless university requirements are met

Course Schedule
CCJ 4054-OW61
Criminal Justice Ethics
Spring 2013
Dr. Deborah Rhyne
Week Start Date

End Date

Reading
Assignments

Discussion Additional
Assignments

1
2
3
4
5
6

January 7
January 13
January 20
January 27
February 3
February 10

January 12
January 19
January 26
February 2
February 9
February 16

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

D1

D2
D3
D4
D5
D6

7
8
9
10
11

February 17
February 24
March 3
March 11
March 17

February 23
March 2
March 9
March 16
March 23

Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Spring Break
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

D7
D8
None
D9
D10

12

March 24

March 30

Chapter 11

D11

Test One
Chapters 1-5 *
None
Test Two
Chapters 610*


13
14
15
16

March 31
April 7

April 14
April 24

April 6
April 13
April 21
April 30

Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
UCF Final
Exam Period

D12
D13
D14
Test Three
Chapters 1114*

Basis for Final Evaluation - Based on 100-points
Weekly Discussions
Tests 1
Test 2
Test 3 Final

4 points each (X 14) = 56 Points
15 points
15 points
14 points

*Reference you COURSE CALENDAR for exact test dates and
window

Discussion Evaluation Points
Original Posting Responses to Others Points Awarded
1
1
1
0
0
0

2+
1
0
2+
1
0

4
3
2
1.5
1
0

Discussion Guidelines and Rubrics
There is one discussion question weekly. It is important for you to ensure that your original
posting to the EACH WEEKLY question is completed by the Wednesday of each week. You

further need to ensure that you have posted a response to at least two other students by the
Saturday of each week. Each discussion question will be worth 4 points towards your total
grade. Any postings posted after the due dates will not be given credit – you MUST post on
time!
Important Note: Because of the size of our class, to ensure an equal distribution of responses,
please do not post a response to a student who has already received five (5) responses to their
original posting. This helps to eliminate the concern that one student may receive twelve


responses while another may receive only two or even none. This equal distribution of
interaction allows for a more balanced discussion.
Do...

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Break up long postings into smaller, easier-to-read paragraphs.
Demonstrate the same professionalism and courtesy you would at work on the
discussion boards.
Answer any follow up questions your instructor or others may have asked. If you are
off topic or did not fully answer the post, your instructor may ask you a follow up
question designed to help you answer the questions more fully.
Stay on topic. You can ensure this by reading all the posts in a threaded message
before responding or by rereading the discussion forum topic or prompt(s).
Always find one positive aspect of another’s classmate’s post before launching into a

critique.
Acknowledge another classmate’s point-of-view whether or not you agree.
Make original posting a minimum of 150 words

Do Not...
• Write as if you were texting, chatting, or instant messaging. Avoid slang and
acronyms (“btw” for “by the way”).
• Use ALL CAPS in your response. Using ALL CAPS is considered yelling.
• Refer to yourself as “i”; address yourself as “I”. Use proper capitalization.
• Respond to another classmate’s posting only saying “I agree” or “I disagree.” This
does not contribute to learning. Provide examples to support your position.
• Take comments personally. We interpret text messages based on our experiences.
Because you have no cues other than the written word, you may make assumptions
that were not intended.
• Make personal attacks on another classmate’s posting. If you disagree, do so
objectively and respectfully. Always provide substantive evidence to support your
position.
• “Say” anything that you would not tell someone face to face or anything that you do
not want discussed in class.
• Post too late. Remember that your active participation is part of your grade. Simply
“showing up” to class is not enough; you must create and establish an online presence
in the discussion forums. Besides, you want your instructor and classmates to read
and comment on your insightful observations!
About Online Discussions
• The most important thing to keep in mind is that our discussion board simulates the
classroom discussion. It is an opportunity to explore the concepts we are studying.
• Full participation will make the discussion forums successful, as the comments in the
forum will bring the classroom material to life. It will be real-world discussion.

•
•
•
•
•
•

An "I agree" or "I disagree" does not contribute to learning. You will agree and disagree
with the comments from other students; however, when that happens, provide examples
to support your position.
Compare and contrast statements from other students. With you acting as a third party,
you will often be able to provide an objective analysis.
Bring in a third-party resource to support your position. Perhaps you have found a
website that adds to the learning.
Don't take comments personally. We interpret text messages based on our experiences.
Because you have no cues other than the written word, you may make assumptions that
were not intended.
In open-ended/opinion question, understand there are no “right” or “wrong” answers
Above all, have fun and learn from each other.

Review Discussion Rubric Below

Contributes to
the
Classroom
Demonstrates
Understanding
of the
Assignment

Provides
Substantive
Responses and
Replies
to Others

Excellent
Posting is
insightful,
complete, and
interesting
Posting
demonstrates
a thorough
understanding of
the reading and
makes
appropriate
application.
Uses course
content
to substantiate
position
Actively
engaged in the
discussion with
at least two (2)
postings to other
students in a

Discussion Rubrics
Good
Postings is
complete and
interesting

Fair
Posting is
interesting but
lacks insight
and depth

Posting
demonstrates
a thorough
understanding of the
reading and makes
appropriate
application.

Posting
demonstrates
somewhat of an
understanding
but does not
substantiate with
course content

Actively engaged in
the

discussion with at
least two (2)
postings to other
students where one

Makes at least
two (2)
responses but
responses fail to
demonstrate
constructive

Poor
Posting is
uninteresting
and/or too brief
or the
assignment
Posting
demonstrates
very little
understanding
and/or
application of
the course
content

Less than
acceptable
responses, does

not respond or
responses are
not related to


Utilizes
Correct
Grammar,
Mechanics,
Spelling and
Sentence
Structure

manner which
demonstrates
analysis and/or
evaluation

(1) of the postings
analysis or are
demonstrates
inadequate
analysis and/or
evaluation while the
second posting
demonstrates
constructive analysis
but not to the
“excellent” standard

the topic

Posting is
polished and
generally free of
errors

Posting is polished
but may contain
minor errors

Posting has
numerous errors
which interfere
with the
readability

Posting is
adequate but
may contain
some errors