Criminal investigation class
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cjad201b.pdf
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CJAD 201 B Criminal Investigation
Late Fall Session (15-52)
October 26 to December 19, 2015
Course Description
Provides students with a practical working knowledge of criminal investigation principles, techniques, law, and procedures. The investigative process is studied from basic theoretical concepts to the application of elements for prosecution of specific criminal offenses. Includes a study of crime- scene investigation, interrogation, burglary, assault, sex crimes, death cases, homicide and murder, organized crime and terrorism.
Prerequisite: CJAD 101
Proctored Exams: -- None
Textbooks
Lyman, Michael D. Criminal Investigation, The Art and Science: 7th edition. Prentice Custom, 2013. ISBN: 13: 978-0-133-00851-7
MBS Direct offers a Columbia College branded version of this text, ISBN-13: 978-1-269-32171-6
Textbooks for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct. You can order online at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/columbia.htm (be sure to select Online Education
rather than your home campus before selecting your class) by phone at 800-325-3252
For additional information about the bookstore, visit http://www.mbsbooks.com.
Course Overview
Welcome to Criminal Investigation (CJAD-201), online! This course examines the fundamentals of criminal investigation as practiced by police officers on the job. It recognizes that both the uniformed officer and the criminal investigator play important roles in the field of criminal investigation. The student should, upon course completion, understand how police conduct criminal investigations within the framework of the constitution and the practices of a democratic society.
Each week we will focus on different situations, issues, court cases, and problems encountered in criminal investigations. Through our Discussion Assignments, Class-Quizzes, and Dropbox Assignments, we will examine investigative issues, procedures and court decisions that have changed police investigative techniques. These are reinforced and expanded in our readings from the text.
Technology Requirements
Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes at Columbia College:
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A computer with reliable Internet access, a web browser, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office.
You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site.
Course Objectives
To explain investigative techniques and procedures in criminal justice. To explain the roles and functions of uniformed and plainclothes officers in the investigation of
criminal offenses. To gain experience with common legal framework involved in the investigation of criminal
offenses. To gain experience with terminology used by professionals in the field of criminal investigation. To explain the competing values, theories and concepts involved with Criminal Procedure and to
enable the student to apply them to situations involving conflicts between the Government and the individual.
To enhance critical thinking, research and writing skills in criminal investigation issues. To explain contemporary research in the area of criminal investigation.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
Define criminal investigation as a concept Explain the theoretical underpinnings of criminal investigation Know the history of criminal investigation Describe the processes of inductive and deductive reasoning Interpret, recognize and apply important Supreme Court decisions involving the 4th, 5th, 6th,
8th, and 14th amendments to the US Constitution. Describe current investigative problems and issues. Know the steps of the criminal investigative process Describe the process and procedures of obtaining and serving warrants. Describe the process and procedures of making an arrest. Know the constitutional limitations upon criminal investigators. Know the constitutional requirements of criminal investigators. Appraise current literature, materials and developments regarding criminal investigation.
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Grading
Grading Scale
GRADE
POINTS
PERCENT
A 414-460 90-100
B 368-413 80-89
C 322-367 70-79
D 276-321 60-69
F 000-275 0-59
Grade Weights
ASSIGNMENT POINTS PERCENT
Discussion 110 23.9
Quizzes and Exams 280 60.9
Dropbox 70 15.2
Total 460 100
Schedule of Due Dates
WEEK ASSIGNMENT POINTS DUE
1
Discussion 1 – Introductions 3 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 2 Friday
Quiz #1 30 Sunday
Special Dropbox 10
2
Discussion 2 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Quiz #2 30 Sunday
Second Dropbox 20
3
Discussion 3 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Quiz #3 30 Sunday
Third Dropbox 20
4
Discussion 4 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Mid-Term 50 Sunday
5
Discussion 5 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Quiz #4 30 Sunday
6
Discussion 6 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Quiz #5 30 Sunday
Fourth Dropbox 20
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7
Discussion 7 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Quiz #6 30 Sunday
8
Discussion 8 10 Wednesday
Discussion Responses 5 Friday
Final Exam 50 Saturday
Assignment Overview General: You are responsible for making your own personal copy of all assignments submitted. From time to time computer program failures, among other occurrences, result in assignments being lost as they are transmitted by email or into Desire2Learn. Assignments posted and graded prior to the designated due day and time cannot be edited or changed.
No Recycled Work: If you have taken my course before, or have written similar or identical assignments in other courses, that work, in whole or in part, cannot be used and will not be accepted in this course. Send me an e-mail if you have any questions about this policy or an assignment.
Name and Title: You must put your name, course number and assignment title on all documents that are attached to discussions and dropboxes. I teach other courses and often print these to read at a later time; without the above information the correct student may not be given credit for his/her work. Failing to put a name and assignment title on these documents will result with two points being deducted for no name and TWO points for no assignment title. (Example of proper assignment title: Week Two Dropbox – Field Notes and Reports.)
Reading Assignments: Complete your weekly reading assignments before engaging in Discussions, Dropbox assignments, or Quizzes. The textbook takes the place of classroom lecture. To receive a good grade, I must see evidence that you have read and understood the material. A brief summary of a topic tells me very little and is a strong indictor that the material was skimmed and not read in detail. The more detail—the higher the grade. Some may say that I expect you to “regurgitate” what is in the textbook. Information in the textbook is the basis for the course and the material you will need to know upon completion of this course. The textbook was created through years of research on the part of the author and contributors to the textbook. Mastering information found in the textbook will enhance your knowledge of criminal investigations.
Examples: It is insufficient to only list names of different types of search warrants without explaining requirements for each search warrant. Another example would be listing names of different strategies used to combat illegal drugs without explaining each strategy.
Paragraph form: You are required to answer assignments in paragraph form. A paragraph is a distinct division of written matter, a single idea, containing one or more sentences with the first line indented. Three points are deducted when paragraph form is not used.
Graded Assignments: Discussion and Dropbox assignments submitted prior to the scheduled due date may be graded, after which they cannot be updated or revised for additional credit. This also applies to Discussion and Dropbox assignments received after the scheduled due date.
Research References: In addition to information from the textbook, which is required reading, research information is required for every Discussion and Dropbox assignment after the first week of class. Research references may come from the World Wide Web,
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library, other textbooks, individuals currently employed or retired from the criminal justice system, and other valid resources. All research references must be listed with each assignment. Research references must identify the specific website from which information was obtained. Do not use the www.Wikipedia.com or any general website as a research reference. Wikipedia allows anyone to enter or add information. The validity of this type of information is questionable. What you CAN do is use www.wikipedia.com to locate a subject. This is something I do. You can then use references listed at the bottom of the Wikipedia website to locate research information. The Dictionary is a useful reference tool but not a valid research reference. A minimum of two research references are required for all Discussion assignments and a minimum of three references for Dropbox assignments after the first week of class. Five points are deducted when research references are not listed; and points will be deducted, in accordance with the Grading Criteria in this syllabus, when references are cited in the text but not appropriately listed at the end of each assignment.
–but not limited to–: In addition to the topics listed in the Course Schedule information that I may include in CougarMail, important information from the textbook and research must be included in all Discussion and Dropbox assignments after Week 1. You must read & include other important information found in the chapter & from research.
Discussion: Each week you will be assigned a topic to discuss in the Discussions area. Discussion topics may or may not be rooted in the textbook. You are expected to thoroughly research the assigned topic before posting your comments; you must include your references with your posting. Your original topic posting should be submitted in paragraph form (rules of grammar do apply) by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time Wednesday of each week. Postings after 11:59 pm are not permitted and will not be graded, but you can and should still read postings up through 11:59 pm Sunday.
Read what others have posted: You must read comments made by others in the class to get full credit for that discussion. You are also expected to respond to three other students’ original postings by 11:59 pm on Friday of each week. Discussion postings and student response will be available for reading all week long until Sunday each week. This is part of the learning process.
Quizzes: A quiz consists of 30 questions. There are 10 multiple-choice questions, 10 true and false questions, and 10 matching questions over the assigned chapter each week. There is a 30-minute time limit, and once the quiz is started it cannot be stopped. Should the quiz be exited, the quiz cannot be retaken and points will be lost for each unanswered question. Because of this, students are encouraged to click “save” after responding to each question. Quizzes must be taken within the week the quiz is assigned. Quizzes close 11:59 pm Sunday, and will be unavailable thereafter. If a quiz is not taken by the deadline, it cannot be made up. Quizzes cannot extend beyond the 30-minute time limit.
Exams: There will be both a mid-term and final exam. The mid-term exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and will be available during week four. The mid-term exam covers chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5. The final exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and will be available during week eight and closes at 11:59 pm on Saturday. The final exam covers chapters 6, 9, 11, and 16. Exams must be taken within the week the exam is assigned (Weeks 4 and 8 respectively). Students have 50 minutes to successfully complete the mid- term and final exams.
Dropbox Assignments: Most weeks you are expected to complete a minimum two-to-four- page (double-spaced) essay in Courier 12 or Times Roman 12 font on an assigned research topic. Dropbox Assignments are to be thoroughly researched. At least three research references must be included and they should be in APA format. Research references must be properly cited in the body of your essay and the citations must match the listed reference and vice versa. Also, make sure you list the full description of the research
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references at the end of the assignment; or on a bibliography page. For information of APA formatting see: http://www.ccis.edu/departments/WritingCenter/writing.html. Late submissions are not accepted. Dropbox submissions not properly submitted (uploaded) in the correct format will not be accepted. If you use the wrong format and I cannot open the document in order to grade it, then you will get a zero for that assignment.
Note: The instructor reserves the right to change assignments identified in this syllabus. Students should respond to assignments posted in the course.
Course Schedule
Note: Before you can access the Weekly Dropbox Assignments and Quizzes of the course in Desire2Learn, you MUST complete the Tutorial and non-graded quiz about Plagiarism. You will find the Tutorial in the Content area of our D2L course.
Week 1 – Getting Started; Getting Acquainted; Foundations of Criminal Investigation
Reading: Chapter 1
Class-Activity: You need to become familiar with how D2L (Desire to Learn) works, make yourself a copy of the Syllabus, review assignments and assignment schedules. Printed and read the attachments that the instructor emails to the students during the first day of class. These emails list all the specifics about the course and the instructor’s expectations. This is not a graded activity; however, you are responsible for reading and understanding the contents of the emailed attachments.
Discussion 1: (5 points possible) Introduce yourself and tell the class what you would like to be doing career-wise in five years. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Quiz #1: (30 points possible) The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter One. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Special Dropbox: (10 points possible) Answer the following important questions addressing information from the syllabus and my Welcome Letter. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
1. Under what section title will you find the weekday that each assignment is due?
2. Identify the course policy regarding submission of late assignments including late points assessed.
3. How many points are deducted when research references are not listed; or are cited in the text but not properly listed at the end of the assignment?
4. How many points are deducted when paragraph form is not used?
5. How many points are deducted when no name and/or no assignment title is on the top of assignments submitted as attachments?
6. Explain the meaning of –but not limited to–.
Week 2 – The Crime Scene: Field Notes, Documenting and Reporting
Reading: Chapter 2
Discussion 2: (15 points possible) Topic: Hate Crimes in the U.S. This assignment is not rooted in the textbook. You will research, define, and discuss hate crime in the U.S., motives, identify Federal and State laws regarding hate crimes, and other interesting information about hate crime from research. In addition, research and discuss in depth a specific hate crime group such as: White Patriot Party; Posse Comitatus; the Covenant, Sword, and the Arm of the Lord; White Aryan Resistance (WAR), Aryan Nations; Neo-Nazi Skinheads; any specific White Supremacist
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Group, Black Panthers, New Black Panthers; or any hate group you wish to discuss except the Ku Klux Klan. Discuss when and where your selected Hate Group was founded, who was the founder, what is the stated purpose of the hate group, motives, goals, description of its members (average age, gender, race, etc.) what actions do the members do, or encourage others to do, that makes them a hate group, and other information which you believe is relevant? This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Video: “Collecting Evidence at a Crime Scene.” View the video and note the importance of identifying, collecting and documenting evidence found at a crime scene.
Article: “Police Notes Bolster Prosecution of Duke Lacrosse Case.” Pay attention to the information included in individual officer field notes and the filing of criminal charges.
Quiz #2: (30 points possible) The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter Two. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Second Dropbox: (20 points possible) Topics: Field Notes and Reports. Discuss recording criminal investigations through field notes and reports from the textbook and research including –but not limited to– what to write down, developing a note-taking system, writing the official report, and supplemental reports, contents of the notes and reports, and the use & importance of Field Interview Cards. Submit to the Dropbox by 11:59 pm Sunday.
Week 3 – Identification of Criminal Suspects: Field Notes and Laboratory Processes
Reading: Chapter 4
Discussion 3: (15 points possible) Topic: Crimes and Clues: This assignment is not rooted in the textbook. Students will research one of the subjects found in Crimes and Clues (http://www.crimeandclues.com/) and discuss this topic in depth. When the Crimes and Clues website is opened, you will find a list of hyperlinked subjects on the right side of the screen under the headings Recent Posts and Categories and on the top menu with dropdown fields. Choose one of the subjects to research and discuss in depth. Discuss the topic in detail; don’t just give a one- or two-paragraph brief description of the topic. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Videos: 1. “Fingerprints in the Lab.” View the video and relate different methods used to identify fingerprints and how fingerprints are classified.
2. “Live-Scan Machine.” View the video for a demonstration on the latest means used by law enforcement to take a suspect’s fingerprints for submission to AFIS.
Article: “What are Latent Fingerprints?” Incorporate information into the Dropbox assignment regarding identifying and recovering non-visible fingerprints.
Quiz #3: (30 points possible) The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter Four. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Third Dropbox: (20 points possible) Topic: Fingerprints: you will study Fingerprinting from the textbook and research including -but not limited to- history, types and patterns of prints, discuss in detail the different methods used to develop and preserve prints. In addition, you will research and discuss Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS): what it is, how it works, and how accurate is AFIS. Submit to the Dropbox by 11:59 PM, Sunday.
Week 4 – Legal Issues in Criminal Investigations
Reading: Chapter 5
Discussion 4: (15 points possible) Search and Seizure: examine Search and Seizure issues from
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the textbook and research including -but not limited to- probable cause requirements, Exclusionary Rule issues, landmark court decisions, requirements & structure of search warrants including service and return, and requirements for different types of warrant and warrantless searches. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Article: “What is Probable Cause?” Pay attention to information in the article that clarifies the important role probable cause plays in all police legal contacts.
Mid-Term Exam: (50 points possible) The Mid-Term consists of 50 multiple-choice questions over chapters 1, 2, 4, & 5. You have 50 minutes to complete the exam. The exam must be completed by 11:59 pm Sunday.
Dropbox: No Dropbox Assignment for Week 4.
Week 5 – Interviews and Interrogations
Reading: Chapter 6
Discussion 5: (15 points possible) Topic: Interviews and Interrogations: Examine the processes of police interviewing and interrogation from the textbook and research including -but not limited to- interviewing different types of individuals, goals of the interview and interrogation, suspect rights, different interrogation styles, safeguards against police misconduct, landmark court decisions, recording statements, and different techniques used to identify deception and lying. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Video: “Police Questioning.” Incorporate information from the video into the Discussion assignment on interviews and interrogations.
Article: “Good Cop, Bad Cop.” Expands discussion from textbook analyzing different interrogation styles used to obtain statements and confessions.
Quiz #4: The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter Six. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Dropbox: No Dropbox Assignment for Week 5.
Week 6 – Death Investigation: Law Enforcement Agencies
Course Evaluations: Please evaluate the course. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted.
Reading: Chapter 9
Discussion 6: (15 points possible) Topic: Law Enforcement Agencies. This assignment is not rooted in the textbook. You will choose one law enforcement agency to research and discuss in depth. You may choose the law enforcement agency from any or all levels of government and may be any combination from the federal, state, or local level. (THE CIA, NSA OR OTHER INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT.) Information should include, but is not limited to, when the agency was founded, the purpose, duties, responsibilities, organizational information (chain of command and various divisions/departments in the agency), the number of persons employed and their positions in the agency, and other interesting data. This is an opportunity to learn about a law enforcement agency where you live or one that you would just like to know more about. If you can not find all the required information, then select another law enforcement agency, so that you don’t lose points for failing to cover all the points for this assignment. Be careful not to use excessive cut & paste &/or copying; which would be Plagiarism. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS NOT, IN AND OF ITSELF, A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, BUT
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RATHER IS A U.S DEPARTMENT UNDER WHICH SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES EXIST. SO, DO NOT PICK THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO DISCUSS AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Video: “Post-Mortem Investigation.” Watch the video to learn what happens during an autopsy. When is an autopsy needed? Be advised, this video was filmed in a morgue with dead bodies.
Article: “Common Means of Suicide.” Pay attention to different types of evidence that confirm cause of death by suicide.
Quiz #5: The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter Nine. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Fourth Dropbox: (20 points possible) Topic: Death Investigations: this assignment is a review of homicide investigation from the textbook and through research including -but not limited to- types of wrongful deaths, modes of death, elements of homicide (degrees of murder and manslaughter), the preliminary investigation, protecting the crime scene, dying declaration, estimating time of death, gunshot wounds, autoerotic death investigation, and suicide investigation. Submit to the Dropbox by 11:59 PM, Sunday.
Week 7 – Sexual Assault
Reading: Chapter 11
Discussion 7: (15 points possible) Topic: Sexual Assault. Research and discuss this criminal behavior including –but not limited to– definitions of rape and sexual assault, forcible rape, legal aspects of rape, investigative procedures, forensic examinations, different rapist profiles, different approaches used by rapists, and methods of control. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Video: “Sexual Assault and Forensics.” View the video and compare information from the video with information from the textbook.
Quiz #6: (30 points possible) The quiz consists of 30 questions over Chapter Eleven. This assignment is due 11:59 pm Sunday.
Dropbox: No Dropbox Assignment for Week 7.
Week 8 – Gangs, Organized Crime, and Drugs; Pharmaceutical Diversion
Reading: Chapter 16
Discussion 8: (15 points possible) Topic: Illegal Drugs. We conclude with a discussion of illegal drugs based on information found in the textbook and through research including -but not limited to- categories of drugs, criminal penalties, laws enacted to combat illegal drugs, and different strategies implemented to stop illegal drugs. In addition, you will research and discuss Pharmaceutical Diversion, including legal registrants, types of doctors involved in diversion and schemes used to illegally obtain pharmaceutical drugs. (Pharmaceutical Diversion is NOT in your textbook reading, so you will need to do research via the Internet or library sources for this information.) This assignment is due 11:59 pm Wednesday. You are required to respond to at least three other students’ original posts by 11:59 pm Friday.
Article: “Drug Courier Profile.” Adds to information from the textbook addressing characteristics typical of persons carrying illicit drugs.
Final Exam: (50 points possible) The final exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions over Chapters 6, 9, 11, & 16. You have 50 minutes to complete the exam. The exam must be completed by 11:59 pm Saturday.
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Dropbox: No Dropbox Assignment for Week 8.
Course Policies
Student Conduct
All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a land-based or online course, are responsible for behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College's Student Conduct Code and Acceptable Use Policy. Students violating these policies will be referred to the office of Student Affairs and/or the office of Academic Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct and the Computer Use Policy for students can be found in the Columbia College Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online; you can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Affairs office (Campus Life) at 573-875-7400. The teacher maintains the right to manage a positive learning environment, and all students must adhere to the conventions of online etiquette.
Plagiarism
Your grade will be based in large part on the originality of your ideas and your written presentation of these ideas. Presenting the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form as your own is plagiarism. Students who fail to properly give credit for information contained in their written work (papers, journals, exams, etc.) are violating the intellectual property rights of the original author. For proper citation of the original authors, you should reference the appropriate publication manual for your degree program or course (APA, MLA, etc.). Violations are taken seriously in higher education and may result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of "F" for the course, or dismissal from the College.
Collaboration conducted between students without prior permission from the instructor is considered plagiarism and will be treated as such. Spouses and roommates taking the same course should be particularly careful.
All required papers may be submitted for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers may be included in the Turnitin.com reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. This service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
Non-Discrimination
There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran status, age, physical handicap, or marital status.
Disability Services
Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for this course are required to register with the Coordinator for Disability Services at (573) 875-7626. Until the student has been cleared through the disability services office, accommodations do not have to be granted. If you are a student who has a documented disability, it is important for you to read the entire syllabus before enrolling in the course. The structure or the content of the course may make an accommodation not feasible.
Online Participation
You are expected to read the assigned texts and participate in the discussions and other course activities each week. Assignments should be posted by the due dates stated on the grading schedule in your syllabus. If an emergency arises that prevents you from participating in class, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.
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Attendance Policy
Attendance for a week will be counted as having submitted a course assignment for which points have been earned during that week of the session or if the proctoring information has been submitted or the plagiarism quiz taken if there is no other assignment due that week. A class week is defined as the period of time between Monday and Sunday (except for Week 8, when the week and the course will end on Saturday at midnight). The course and system deadlines are all based on the Central Time Zone.
Cougar E-mail
All students are provided a CougarMail account when they enroll in classes at Columbia College. You are responsible for monitoring e-mail from that account for important messages from the College and from your instructor. You may forward your Cougar e-mail account to another account; however, the College cannot be held responsible for breaches in security or service interruptions with other e-mail providers.
Students should use e-mail for private messages to the instructor and other students. The class discussions are for public messages so the class members can each see what others have to say about any given topic and respond.
I will send you two e-mails each week: one e-mail in reference to upcoming weekly assignments and the second email in response to grading of your Discussion assignment. I will grade and respond to each Dropbox assignment through Leave Feedback. You can access Leave Feedback through a Quicklink that will appear when you first open the course or when you open a graded Dropbox assignment. My comments will be brief if the assignment has been properly addressed. I am required to respond to assignments and e-mails within 72 hours; however, unless there is a very unusual situation, I will respond much sooner.
Late Assignment Policy
An online class requires regular participation and a commitment to your instructor and your classmates to regularly engage in the reading, discussion and writing assignments. Although most of the online communication for this course is asynchronous, you must be able to commit to the schedule of work for the class for the next eight weeks. You must keep up with the schedule of reading and writing to successfully complete the class.
No late assignments will be accepted! You cannot post Discussions after the 11:59 pm Wednesday deadline. You can and should continue to read them, however. Quizzes, Mid-term Exam, Final Exam and Dropbox assignments must be posted by the Sunday 11:59 pm deadline. You can (and are encouraged to) submit them any time during the week, but they will not be accepted after the deadline. The Week 8 Final Exam must be posted by 11:59 pm Saturday. Quizzes that extend past the 30-minute time limit lose five points for each minute over the time limit. Exams that extend past the 50-minute time limit lose five points for each minute over the time limit.
Course Evaluation
You will have the opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted.
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Additional Resources
Orientation for New Students
This course is offered online, using course management software provided by Desire2Learn and Columbia College. The Student Manual provides details about taking an online course at Columbia College. You may also want to visit the course demonstration to view a sample course before this one opens.
Technical Support
If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the Columbia College Helpdesk, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. Contact information is also available within the online course environment.
800-231-2391 ex. 4357
877-325-7778
Online Tutoring
Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students. Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing. Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service provided by the college.
Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack under Students->Academics->Academic Resources.
Grading Criteria
Discussions
Criteria Description Points
Content The posting develops a central point, idea, or thesis that is clearly defined and supported by concrete substantial and relevant evidence. The posting clearly depicts that you researched the assigned topic and can synthesize information from your additional resources. 8
Organization The posting is organized in paragraphs that are unified, coherent, and effective, with transitions between ideas. The sentences are correctly constructed, logical and complete. 1
Research References are appropriately listed. Information from multiple research sites will provide a more complete understanding of the topic. 1
Responses Responses to at least three other students’ original posts are substantive versus merely cursory. (i.e., a responses as, “Your post was good and was interesting.” is NOT a substantive response.) 5
Total 15
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Dropbox Assignments
Criteria Description Points
Content The essay develops a central point, idea, or thesis that is clearly defined and supported by concrete substantial and relevant evidence. The body of the essay depicts that you have read and clearly understand the material from the textbook and can synthesize information from your additional resources. 16
Organization The essay is organized in paragraphs that are unified, coherent, and effective, with transitions between ideas. The sentences are correctly constructed, logical and complete. The essay must be two to four pages long, double spaced and typed in either Courier 12 or Times Roman 12 font. 2
Research References are appropriately listed. Information from multiple research sites will provide a more complete understanding of the topic. 2
Total 20
