The Criminal Justice Program

Course: SOC 315.01 COURT AND CORRECTIONS
Emphasis:
Prerequisite: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Meeting Time: MWF, 9-9:50Am
Instructor: Dr. Zoran Milovanovich
Phone: (610) 932-8300, x3548
Fax: (610) 932-1880
Email: milovanovich@lu.lincoln.edu
Office Location: DH 362
Office Hours: MWF 11am-1pm

Course Description
Objectives
Course Emphasis
Course Requirements
Evaluation (Grades, Presentation, Percentage to Letter-Grade Conversions, Attendance Policy)
Required Text
Course Outline
Web Sites of Interest

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course introduces students to the American court system at both the state and federal levels. Judicial organization, history and development of courts are discussed. The course examines roles of professional and nonprofessional courtroom actors, pretrial activities, stages of criminal trial, and sentencing, and discusses current issues and trends in court reform. Consideration also includes a number of issues concerning corrections, with emphasis on correctional history and institutions, organization of prisons, prison life, parole, probation and intermediate sanctions.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Understand the structure and management of the American courts, dual system of courts, their respective jurisdictions, and their specific characteristics.

  • Discuss the roles of the judge, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and understand concept and operations of indigent defense system.

  • Identify the differences in the processing of felony and misdemeanor cases, and discuss the steps and procedures in the accusatory process, and understand the various stages in the conduct of a criminal trial.

  • Understand the broad concept of "corrections," discuss the major types of prison institutions and the role they play in the criminal justice system, functioning of parole and probation, and identify current and future correctional issues and trends.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Textbook assignments

  • Classroom attendance and participation;

  • Tests: four tests, including midterm and final exam.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Grade Distribution

Quizzes

25%

Midterm Exam

25%

Final Exam

40%

Class Participation

10%

Recommended Grade-Boosting Strategy

Students are strongly encouraged to prepare and make an oral presentation based on critical analysis of a case or issue relevant to the field of study. Successful presentation has the potential to significantly boost the grade (up to 10% of the maximum score.

Oral Presentation

Evaluation of the oral presentation is based on the following criteria: selection of subject (relevant to assignment, interesting, appropriate level); content and organization (necessary components: introduction, development, supporting material, conclusion); language (clarity, vividness, grammar correct, oral style); delivery (body control, voice); attitude toward an audience (urge to communicate); the degree to which the class was involved; and overall effectiveness.

Percentage to Letter-Grade Conversions

A

95-99%

A-

91-94%

B+

86-90%

B

81-85%

B-

76-80%

C+

71-75%

C

66-70%

C-

61-65%

D+

56-60%

D

51-55%

F

0-50%

 

Tests

Students are expected to take all tests at the regularly scheduled time. If a student cannot do so, he/she should inform the professor before the test. If the reason for being absent is valid, the student will be given the opportunity to take a make-up test. Because of the difficulty of developing a second test, make-up test will consist entirely of essay questions. Students who miss test without informing the professor beforehand will not be permitted to make up the test unless they can provide proof of having had to leave the campus unexpectedly for a hospital stay or serious family emergency.

Attendance

Students in this class will be expected to adhere to the University regulations on absence from class. Students are advised to keep in mind that four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course, and that three tardy arrivals will be counted as one absence.

Academic Ethics:

Students are reminded that they must adhere to the standards of academic ethics of the University. These include standards of honesty for such activities as submitting assignments and essays, taking tests and examinations and doing project assignments.

REQUIRED TEXT

Senna J. & Siegel L.,INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Chapters 9-16)

You may also refer to chapters on courts and corrections in any of the following texts:

Albanese, Jay.S. Criminal Justice

Bohm R., Haley K.,Introduction to Criminal Justice

Cole G., Smith C.,Criminal Justice in America

Schmalleger F., Criminal Justice Today

COURSE OUTLINE

  COURTS AND JUDICIARY
  • History and Development of American Courts
  • Judicial Organization
  • State Court Structure
  • Federal Courts
  • Judiciary

THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE
  • The Prosecutor
  • The Defense Attorney

PRETRIAL ACTIVITIES
  • Procedures Following Arrest
  • The Indictment Process
  • Plea Bargaining

 THE CRIMINAL TRIAL
  • Legal Rights during Trial
  • Fair Trial versus Free Press
  • The Trial Process
  • Evidentiary Standards

 PUNISHMENT AND SENTENCING
  • History of Punishment
  • The Goals of Punishment
  • Sentencing Strategies and Practices
  • Capital Punishment
  • Clergy-Penitent Privilege

 PROBATION AND INTERMEDIATE SNACTIONS
  • History and Concept of Probation
  • Administration of Probation Services
  • Future of Probation
  • Intermediate Sanctions
  • The Future of Intermediate Sanctions

 CORRECTIONAL HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS
  • History of Correctional Institutions
  • Jails and Prisons
  • Correctional Populations

 PRISON LIFE
  • The Realities of Prison Life
  • Prison Inmates
  • Institutional Treatment and Programs
  • Prison Rules and Discipline
  • Prisoners' Rights

 REHABILITATION
  • History of Prison Release
  • Parole

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

Courts and the Law

Prisons and Corrections

Return to The home page of Dr. Zoran Milovanovich

Go to Requirements for Criminal Justice Majors

Go to Suggested Course Sequence for Criminal Justice Majors

Go to Requirements for a Criminal Justice Minor

 

Email: milovanovich@lu.lincoln.edu