2019SeniorProjectSYLLABUS.docx

CrmJ 4500-01 Larry_Woods Senior Project CRN 10104 Fall 2019

COURSE SYLLABUS/COURSE OUTLINE/COURSE INSTRUCTIONS

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

INSTRUCTOR AND OFFICE PHONE NUMBER:Professor Larry D. Woods

Telephone: 615-963-5592 (TSU office - Room 311, Graduate Building)

1. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS- To complete this course, you must take the Criminal Justice Exit Examination (contact the CrmJ Graduate Assistants in Room 310A of Graduate Bldg. for preparation and scheduling) and you must research and write an original research paper for Professor Woods. The successful completion of this paper should demonstrate your knowledge of (1) theory, (2) writing, (3) research skills and (4) ability to think critically.

2. EMAIL For answers to questions, guidance, or problems contact Professor Woods at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Do not use the email system in eLearn. Email me or call if you have questions or want to make an appointment. You may not email your completed research paper to me unless you first ask me and I consent to delivery by email (which I will do if you are outside Nashville or other unusual or extraordinary circumstances).

3. DUE DATES a/k/a DEADLINES

September 4, 2019 - Submit your topic for your paper to Professor Woods using the attached form at the end of this syllabus

October 14, 2019 – OPTIONAL, not required. If you want me to review a preliminary draft of your paper and make comments, submit it on or before this date.

November 18, 2019 – If you are graduating this semester, your paper is due this date before 12 noon. Slide it under my door if I am not present.

December 2, 2019 – If you are not graduating this semester, your paper is due this date before 12 noon. Slide it under my door if I am not present.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED, COURSE REQUIREMENTS, ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

4. YOU MAY NOT EMAIL YOUR FINAL PAPER or any preliminary draft to me unless you make a prior request to me to do so and I approve same in writing (too many students, too much paper, usually I approve this only for students who are not at the TSU campus or emergencies).

5. GRADES/MEASUREMENT/EVALUATION AND GRADING POLICY: Your grade for the course will be based on (1) your score on the Criminal Justice Exit Examination(up to 10% of your grade); (2) and your score you receive on the final draft of your Senior Project (90% or more of your grade). Several factors will determine your grade for this research project. All of the factors are directly related to the competency that you need to master focusing on engaging in the practice-informed and research-informed practice of criminal justice including principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. They also must understand the processes for translating research findings into effective practice. This competency involves three primary processes for translating research findings into effective practice:

Use practical experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research

Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings

Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

Grading Rubric - Your research paper and final grade will be determined on the following items with the maximum score of each item.

RESEARCH. Quality of the Research Topic - do your best to develop issues about a criminal justice topic related to your career aspirations or current academic interests. The question must be feasible, researchable, and one in which an answer can be obtained. 25

WRITING DESIGN. There are multiple research designs for writing to meet the demands of your research question and data. The most appropriate design is critical to obtaining the best results. 25

REFERENCES. Quality of References - All research requires the examination of literature related to your topic. The quality of the references can make a difference in the outcome of your research. Be sure to use scholarly resources predominantly from peer reviewed journals. Your method of citing and referencing your resources are important to the quality of your proposal. 25

Ability to follow the standard formatting of a research report. The headings and subheadings of your proposal should be carefully followed. 10

Spelling and Grammar - All students should strive toward writing assignments that are free from spelling and grammatical errors. You would be wise to review your paper prior to final submission. 5

The Criminal Justice Departmental examination 10

TOTAL - 100 POINTS

6. Your grade at midterm will be an “I” (Incomplete) unless you have already submitted your final complete paper.

7. Example of a Senior Project paper online- Online at elearn is a sample of a Senior Project paper to look at, not to use. Does your Senior Project have to look the same or follow the same format and sourcing/references? NO, but if you are not familiar with writing a paper like this, it is a good example. Again, the Senior Project paper I have posted in eLearn is only an example. Your paper can be different.

8. You must complete and submit the attached SENIOR PROJECT ATTACHMENT form below to Professor Woods on or before September 4, 2019. Your proposed topic is approved unless I notify you otherwise. In the event that your original topic was not approved, then you may obtain an extension of time to submit another topic. Smart students will select a topic that will benefit them after graduation. For example if you are going to Graduate School or Law School, select a topic you will study there. If you are going to work, select a topic for your paper that you can use at your work or use to impress employers at a career job interview.

9. You may but are not required to submit a preliminary draft of your paper for the professor's comments and preliminary evaluation. I will not grade it but I will make comments and suggestions for improvement. If you choose to do so, the preliminary draft is due before 12 noon on October 14, 2019. Include your telephone number, email address and your T number on the title page.

10. If you are not graduating this semester, your final draft of your Senior Project will be due and must be submitted on or before 12 noon on December 2, 2019. In the event that you are a graduating senior this semester, then you must deliver the final draft of your Senior Project even earlier than the above date -- deadline for graduating seniors is on or before 12 noon on November 18, 2019. Include your telephone number, your email address and your T number on the title page.

11. Individual research/writing/advice conferences may be scheduled with Professor Woods by mutual agreement/appointment or may be handled by email exchanges. Email me for any appointments you want to schedule. If you have any questions/problems, contact and/or email me. I am usually available (meaning you do not need an appointment) Monday afternoons from 4pm to 5pm and usually available at 9:25am Monday through Thursday. If you have any questions or problems, email me at [email protected] and at [email protected]. If you email me and I do not respond at all within a reasonable time frame (one to two business days), that means I did not receive your email. Try again.

12. RESEARCH The Senior Project paper is a research paper. You should read and take notes on a large number of books/articles/published journals. Then organize your notes by issues or by subject matter. Then write the paper by using your sources/references on each issue.

13. On each issue you will then quote or reference all your sources that refer to that issue. Every fact, every expert opinion, every professional observation, all data you state or quote in your paper must be documented by reference to an endnote or footnote. The paper should contain plentiful, documented endnotes or footnotes (APA style or MLA style or any other similar academic style), and you must include author, title, source of publication, year of publication, and page number(s). Any internet and/or worldwide web sources must state the URL where I can type it in and on that specific webpage, see the material or statements you are quoting and using (in other words, you may not cite just to the homepage of the source on the internet). Your paper must have page numbers. Your references or sources must be listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author at the end of your paper. Do not use as a reference any material that does not have a named author (only exceptions-publications by the FBI, TBI, Department of Justice or other sources that are approved in advance by the professor).Every page in your paper must be numbered.

14. NO ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. The Senior Project is not an annotated bibliography where you summarize each book or article you have read- instead you need to combine all your notes from all your sources and then organize your paper by subjects or issues.

15. Any material, words, phrases, ideas, summaries that you use or rely upon in your paper that come from the internet, the worldwide web, the library, or any published source is permissible, but only if you document that source in an endnote or footnote. All endnotes and footnotes must contain the author, title, source of publication, year of publication, and page number(s).Any internet and/or worldwide web sources must state the URL where I can type it in and on that specific webpage, see the material or statements you are quoting and using (in other words, you may not cite just to the homepage on the internet). Your references or sources must be attached at the end of your paper and in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author. Do not use as a reference any material that does not have a named author (only exceptions-publications by the FBI, TBI, Department of Justice or other sources that are approved in advance by Professor Woods). Your paper should contain plentiful, documented endnotes or footnotes (or you may use APA style or any other similar academic style), and you must include author, title, source of publication, year of publication, and page number(s).

16. If you use a questionnaire or survey, attach the original survey and the original responses and original answers. If any part of this is not clear to you, please consult me.

17. If you choose a project that involves a survey of human subjects, as defined by the TSU Institutional Review Board (IRB), then you must comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the IRB. Make your application to the IRB now since it may take weeks to receive approval. Since this is an independent agency at TSU, you must apply to the IRB for approval, meeting their deadlines. Email address for IRB is [email protected]. Attach a copy of their approval to the front page of your paper.

18. If you have taken the Research Methods class, you may use your research and writing from the Research Methods class in the Senior Project paper you submit. You may have to change/redraft it to meet my Syllabus requirements however. Consult the statements in the Syllabus for this course.

19. This is not a personal essay, so do not express or state your personal opinions or personal outlook Therefore the word “my’ and the word “I” should not appear in your paper.

20. There is no minimum page requirement for your Senior Project paper; however most papers that demand a high grade are usually 30 to 40 pages with 30 to 40 references/sources. I have also received 15 to 20 page papers that merit an “A” but that is very rare.

21. Your references/sources may use any of the recognized citation systems- endnotes, APA, footnotes, et cetera so long as you state the author, title, page number, year of publication.

22. The TSU Library website has electronic databases where you can access JSTOR or LexisNexis, Westlaw or Google Scholar or many other academic sources and references. Use them for your paper.

23. Your Senior Project paper must have page numbers.

24. QUESTIONS are good. Please ask lots of questions.

25. HELP is something we all need. If you need help in this course, or your studies, or generally how to find and manage a career or how to get rich legally, etc, please email or come and talk to Professor Woods.

26. MISCELLANEOUS

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND RATIONALE: To develop the skill of the student in researching, organizing, and presenting written work as a result of their research or community work in an area of criminal justice.

TEXTBOOKS: None. Pay careful attention to the rules set forth herein or consult with me about any questions.

Statement regarding reasonable accommodation for students: If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodations, or if you have any questions related to any accommodation for testing, note taking, reading, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. You must contact the Disabled Student Services Office or appropriate institutional office to officially request such accommodations / services but I will be glad to work with you.

STUDENT COMPETENCIES: The student in this course should acquire the ability to prepare a thoroughly researched, organized and documented research paper as well as an in-depth understanding of the topic in the field of criminal justice on which the paper is written.

PREREQUISITES: None, but Research Methods is helpful.

AMENDMENTS and CHANGES- This syllabus and the course rules may be changed from time to time without prior notice by announcement by the professor. It is your duty to learn and know about such changes.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, DOMESTIC/DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING

TSU recognizes the importance of providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing any of these incidents, there are resources to assist you in the areas of accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, and making referrals for assistance with legal protective orders and more.

Please be aware that most TSU employees, including faculty and instructors, are “responsible employees”, meaning that they are required to report incidents of sexual violence, domestic/dating violence or stalking. This means that if you tell me about a situation involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, I must report the information to the Title IX Coordinator. Although I have to report the situation, you will still have options about how your situation will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you need.

You are encouraged to contact TSU’s Title IX Coordinator to report any incidents of sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic/dating violence or stalking. The Title IX coordinator is located in the Office of Equity and Inclusion, McWherter Administration Building, Ste. 260 and can be reached at 963-7494 or 963-7438. For more information about Title IX and TSU’s SART or policies and procedures regarding sexual, domestic/dating violence and stalking please visit: www.tnstate.edu/equity.

If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, who is not required to report, you can contact the TSU Counseling Center, located in the basement of Wilson Hall, at 963-5611 or TSU Student Health Services, located in the Floyd Payne Campus Center room 304, at 963-5084. You may also contact the following off campus resources: Sexual Assault Center of Nashville at 1-800-879-1999 or www.sacenter.org or the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence at 615-386-9406 or www.tncoalition.org .

HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION

Tennessee State University is firmly committed to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit harassment and discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, religion, retaliation, veteran status and other protected categories. TSU will not subject any student to discrimination or harassment and no student shall be excluded from participation in nor denied the benefits of any educational program based on their protected class. If a student believes they have been discriminated against or harassed because of a protected class, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at McWherter Administration Building, Ste. 260, 615-963-7494 or 963-7438, www.tnstate.edu/equity.

Cheating, Plagiarism, Academic Dishonesty/Academic Misconduct:

Academic dishonesty, cheating and plagiarism in any form will result in a grade of zero on an assignment, assessment, quiz or exam. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or zero for the exercise or examination, or assign an F in the course”. Plagiarism encompasses, but is not limited to, the use of someone else’s words, phrases or intellectual argument without proper citations. When in doubt, use quotation marks followed by the proper citation.

PREPARE and submit the following form to Professor Woods:

SENIOR PROJECT ATTACHMENT Date____________________

Name:

Address:

EMAIL____________________________________________________

Telephone number:

When do you expect to graduate?

T number ________________________________________________

THE TOPIC FOR MY PAPER IS THE FOLLOWING:

15