PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES  SEAT 1100
Class Hours: 3.0							Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours:							Date Revised: Fall 07
NOTE:  This course is not designed for transfer credit.
Catalog Course Description:
		This course introduces students to the different types of security investigations applicable in a variety of public and private settings. Interviewing techniques, development of investigative documentation and observation skills and use of technical resources for investigative purposes are covered.
Entry Level Standards:
		Problem solving and analytical skills are important.
Prerequisites:
		none
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
		Ferraro, Eugene F., Investigations in the Workplace, Auerbach Publications, latest edition.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
		Week				Topic
		1				Overview of security principles; The Process of Investigation (Text: Ch 1)
		2				Fundamentals of Fact-Finding: (Text: Ch 2)
		3-4				Methods of Investigation (Text: Ch 3)
		5-6				Project Management and Case Development (Text: Ch 4)
		7				Legal Challenges and Litigation Avoidance (Text: Ch 5)
		8				Applied Strategies (Text: Ch 6)
		9				Motives for deviant/criminal behavior
		10				Case Assignment: Practical Exercise
		11				Collecting evidence: civil vs. criminal considerations
		12				Surveillance techniques and technology
		13				Using informants
		14				Formulating an effective policy for security investigations in the workplace
		15				Review and Final Examination
II. Course Objectives*:
		A.			Review and integrate Security Principles into the investigation process. I, II, III, IV
		B.			Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the purpose and role of security investigations. I, II, III, V
		C.			Demonstrate how to formulate an investigation plan with respect to countering terrorism and/or criminal behavior in the workplace. I, II, III, IV
		D.			Describe the concept of offender profiling. I, II, III, IV
		E.			Discuss the need for proper crime/incident scene security. I, II, III, IV
		F.			Explain the basic theories of investigation; relate the differences between interview and interrogation. I, II, III
		G.			Understand the proper criteria for writing an effective security investigation report. II, III, IV, V.
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the SEAT program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
		1.			Analyze and evaluate oral and/or written expression by listening critically for elements that reflect an awareness of the situation, audience, purpose, and diverse points of view. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		2.			Manage and coordinate basic information gathered from multiple sources for the purpose of problem solving and decision-making. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		3.			Identify information resources, facilities, and personnel appropriate to their needs. Evaluate retrieved information according to its relevance, and use it for making decisions. Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		4.			Examine legal and ethical issues related to security investigations. Communication Outcome, Humanities Outcome, History Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		5.			Participate in extensive discussion exercises. Communication Outcome, Humanities Outcome, Social/Behavioral Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		6.			Participate in role playing exercises designed to apply investigation principles to hypothetical crime scenarios. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR's goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting course work 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.			Recognize acts/behavior that might be indicative of possible criminal/terrorist intent. A, B, C, D, E
		2.			Critique popularly held notions about the function of Federal and State government in securing Americans from terrorist/criminal activities. A, B, C, D, E, F, G
		3.			Recognize the use of evidence, analysis, and persuasive strategies, including basic distinctions among opinions, facts, and inferences affecting security investigations. A, B, C, D, E, F
		4.			Identify, collect, and analyze evidence gathered in the course of a security investigation. A, B, C, D, E, F
		5.			Compare and contrast different approaches to security investigations. A, B, C, D, E, F, G
		6.			Identify and explain the various motives of both domestic and international terrorists. A, B, D, E
		7.			Describe and explain what constitutes "suspicious" behavior. A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
		8.			Identify the competing and often conflicting interests involved in conducting security investigations. A, B, C, D, E, F, G
		9.			Participate in role playing teams to conduct simulated investigation of criminal activity with respect to security investigations. A, B, C, D, E, F, G
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Testing Procedures:
				Midterm exam: 15% Final exam: 15%
		B. Additional Expectations:
			Attendance: 25% Students must attend at least 80% of all scheduled classes. Lecture, demonstration, and classroom participation are the primary methods of disseminating information. Attendance will count for 25% of the student’s final grade Quizzes: 20% Quizzes and tests will be given online. Students must be able to access the Internet to take these examinations. Quizzes and tests will count for 20% of the student’s grade.. Research Paper 15% Homework: 10% Students will be required to turn in at least one research paper of approximately 12 pages and complete homework assignments and/or group work throughout the semester. The research paper will count for 15% of the student’s grade for this class. Homework assignment and group work will count for 10% of the final grade for this course. Students may be required to post comments on the SEAT Web Discussion Board. All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. Late papers will not be accepted nor will make-up tests be given without specific approval of the instructor. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions. .
		C. Grading Scale:
			A 90-100 B+ 87-89 B 80- 86 C+ 77-79 C 70- 76 D 60- 69 F 59 and below
VI. Policies:
		A. Attendance Policy:
			Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled required 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 (Pellissippi State Catalog).
		B. Academic Dishonesty:
			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 to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course.
		C. Accommodations for disabilities:
			If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.
	D. Other Policies:
			College-owned or -operated computing resources are provided for use by students of Pellissippi State. All students are responsible for the usage of Pellissippi State's computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner.