PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS
 POLICING IN AMERICA
 SOC 2200
Class Hours:  3.0   Credit Hours:  3.0  
Laboratory Hours:  0.0   Date Revised:  Fall 1998  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
   Advanced exploration of crime, criminality, and policing with   an emphasis on the varied roles of police in American society.  Strong emphasis on transhistorical social and behavioral   problems which have plagued police in their endeavors to   prevent and control crime.
Entry Level Standards:    
   Students must be able to read and write at the college level.
Prerequisite: SOC 1100    
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:  
  Walker, Samuel. The Police in America: An Introduction. Third   Edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1999.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 Police History: English policing and American policing
  2 Organizing Public and Private Security: Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement
  3 Organizing the Police Department: Departmental Organization
  4 Becoming a Police Officer: Selection, Standards, and Training
  5 The Police Role and Police Discretion: Operational Styles and Discretion
  6 The Police Culture: Police Personality and Stress
  7 Police Operations:  Traditional Approach
  8 Police Operations: A New Approach
  9 Police and the Community: Community Policing/Problem-Solving
  10 Police Deviance: Corruption and Misconduct
  11 Women and Other Minorities in Policing: Discrimination in Policing
  12 Specific Police Problems and Issues: Police Danger and Shootings
  13 Specific Police Problems and Issues: Police Civil and Criminal Liability
  14 Technology in Policing: Computers, Fingerprinting, Weapons, and Forensic Techniques
  15 Police and the Law: The Police and the U.S. Constitution
  16 Review for final examination, comprehensive make-up, and final examination
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Apply a comprehensive definition of crime and discuss how social values mold the definition of crime. I.5, IV.1, IV.2, IV.3
  B. Apply the basic principles of the classical view of crime.  I.5
  C. Demonstrate a complete understanding of sociological and  psychological theories on crime causation and provide  examples of how those theories are put into practice by the criminal justice system.  I.5
  D. Exhibit an adequate understanding of a scientific approach  to criminal justice research. I.5, VII
  E. Provide a basic understanding of the varied social structural factors that facilitate application of the  Constitution and how it relates to crime, criminals, police, and the criminal justice system. I.5, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Research and write a report on a specific police issue.    Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome
  2. Research the internet to find current information on policing. Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome
  3. Use oral presentation skills to present findings from research. Communication Outcome
  4. Use teamwork to debate policing issues. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome
  5. Participate as a volunteer with an agency to learn more    about career opportunities and about various dimensions  of policing. Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
  6. Practice elements of work ethic, such as punctuality, professionalism, dependability, cooperation, and   contribution. Personal Development Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State's goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Discuss the reasons why the study of crime causation is  important to the field and practice of criminal justice. A,B,C 
2. Discuss how the system would deter criminals and how situational crime practices deter crime. B,C
3. Identify and describe the major theories on victimization and the role that victim precipitation plays in crime. B,C,E
4. Explain the different ways crime may be classified. A,B,E
5. Define the concepts of mala in se and mala prohibitum. A,B,E
6. Explain and apply the three legal elements which constitute crime. A,B,E
7. Discuss the emergence and impact of the professionalism movement in policing. A,B,D,E
8. Describe in some detail the dramatic changes in American policing during the last thirty years. A,B,D,E
9. Describe patrol activities and the sought after goals of police patrol. C,D,E
10. Have an understanding of the inherent role conflict of proactive and reactive policing. B,C,D,E
11. Describe the evolution of the community policing concept, the ways those ideas have been implemented, and the overall philosophy of community policing. A,D,E
12. Understand how culture, personality, cynicism and policing styles can effect job performance. A,B,D
13. Discuss in a general manner the control of police investigatory activities and the rule of law. A,D,E
14. Provide details of the constitutional rights contained in the Fourth Amendment and the requirements for a valid search warrant. A,D,E
15. List the significant exceptions to the search warrant requirements of the Fourth Amendment. A,D,E
16. Describe the court rulings detailing the conditions under which a valid search incident to a lawful arrest can be made. A,D,E
17. Describe the court rulings detailing the conditions under which a valid field interrogation or a valid stop and frisk can be made. A,D,E
18. Describe the conditions under which an officer may detain a suspect on less than probable cause. A,D,E
19. Describe the courts rulings detailing the conditions under which a motor vehicle may be searched, including the latest court ruling on roadblock searches. A,D,E
20. Describe the court rulings detailing the doctrine of plain view and the concept of curtilage. A,D,E
21. Explain the definition of arrest and the requirements for a warrantless legal arrest. A,B,D,E
22. Summarize the legal rights afforded by the Miranda decision to the suspect undergoing custodial interrogation. A,B,E
23. Provide a brief historical review of the Miranda decision. A,B,E
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
A. Testing Procedures:  80% of grade
 There will be FIVE examinations each worth 100 points. The exams will cover lecture notes, assigned readings, films, and other materials presented in class.  The exam questions will consist of matching, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and essay.  The instructor will drop one of your lowest test scores.  The remaining FOUR test scores will be used to determine 80% of your final course grade. No make-up examinations will be given. However, a difficult comprehensive final examination will be given at the end of the semester for those who miss two exams.
B. Laboratory Expectations:  20% of grade
 The remaining 20% of your final course grade will be determined by individual internet research projects and class presentation.  (Paper = 10%, Presentation = 5%). The remaining 5% of your grade will come from quizzes.
C. Other Evaluation Methods:
 The Vision, a community volunteer network at PSTCC, will be used as a source of extra points.  The points will range between 10-20 depending on hours completed.  Please check with instructor for further details if interested.  The extra points will be averaged in with your test scores.
D. Grading Scale:
         Grade                   Points
       92-100    = A           500-460
        89-91     = B+          459-445
        82-88     = B            444-410
        79-81     = C+          409-395
        72-78     = C            394-360
        65-71     = D            359-325
        Below 65  = F         324 or below
VI. Policies:
A. Attendance Policy:
 Attendance is mandatory not optional. Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. Individual department/program/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent. 
B. Academic Dishonesty:
 Cheating and any other form of academic dishonesty will be punished to the fullest extent. A grade of "F" will be awarded to those caught cheating, including plagiarism.
C. Late Assignments:
 One-third(1/3) points will be deducted    from late papers.  The instructor will not accept papers    after two days of the scheduled due date.