SYLLABUS FOR

 

ETHICAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

1

 

 

Term:  Summer 2006

Course Number: LEA 540

Course Dates: 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24

Course Times: AM Section: 8:30am-12:30pm in Whiting

                          PM Section: 6pm-10pm in Whiting

Instructors:       Dr. Jill A. Miller (AM) & Lt. Steven Regnier (PM)

E-mail:            Jillannmiller@aol.com 

                        Steven.Regnier@chicagopolice.org

Cell phone:  Dr. Miller (219) 801-0479   Lt. Regnier (773) 316-9195

Office Hours:  By appointment

 

Instructor Background:

 

Dr. Jill A. Miller is a licensed clinical psychologist in both Indiana and Illinois and a member of the American Psychological Association.  She earned her doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 1996.  Dr. Miller practiced with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for several years as the drug abuse program coordinator. Presently, she conducts forensic evaluations for federal, and county offenders and the Lake County Juvenile Court.  A lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, she maintains a private practice in Indiana.

 

Lt. Steven Regnier, has a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement Administration and 19 years experience as a Chicago Police Officer. He has worked as a supervisor in the Chicago Police Department in various capacities. He has experienced the stress of patrol and the uncertainty of tactical operations. He has taught ethics at the college level and is currently teaching at Calumet College in Indiana. He is also assigned as a Field Lieutenant and Watch Commander in the Chicago Police Department's patrol division

 

Course Description: This course examines crime as a political concern and delves into the conflicting political philosophies and ethical issues that guide our judgments relative to criminal justice issues and policy.

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

·         Students in this course will learn to apply critical thinking skills to ethical decisions.

 

·         Students will demonstrate an understanding of moral development, ethical reasoning, and values clarification.

 

·         Students will learn to create an environment that facilitates ethical decisions and be able to recognize entitlement. 

 

 

·         Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills and ethical reasoning to policy development.

 

·         Students will be exposed to ethical dilemmas commonly faced by law enforcement personnel and administration and will be able to apply newly learned skills to addressing them.

 

·         Students will demonstrate increased moral and ethical awareness, both professionally and personally.

 

Learning Strategies:

In-class discussion, written papers, class presentations and projects

 

Assessment:

 

Attendance and class participation                             (30 points)      

 

Write a Dilemma                                                         (15 points)      

Paper (solve dilemma)                                                 (50 points)                                                      

Working group of dilemma                                         (10 points)      

 

Guest lecture and critic of presentation                      (20 points)

 

Movie and Paper                                                         (25 point)

Ethics Journal (5 pieces @ 20pts each)                       (100 points)

(due weekly)

                            5 pieces=

                        1 article from out of town newsprint

                        1 article from internet

                        1 article from magazine

                        2 pieces your choice of media            

                       

______________________________________________

Total                                                                           250 points

 

 

Class Policy for Assignments: Written assignments must be completed and delivered to the instructor on the due date.  Late assignments will be penalized unless the instructor is notified and consents to other arrangements.

 

Grades: Instructor will accept inquiries concerning grades and assignments for 30 days after last class.  Grade discrepancies will not be discussed or considered after that point.

 

Format for Written Assignments:  All papers will be typed in the American Psychological Association format.   

 

 

Class Policy on Attendance: It is a serious matter when a student misses even one session due to the accelerated format of the program and weight of the grading structure.  If a student misses more than one session, or more than a cumulative total of four hours of class time, the student is required to withdraw from the course by contacting the Academic Advisor and their instructor.  Also, being on time is important in order to cover the course material.  Points will be deducted from attendance and class participation for being late.

 

Grading Scale:      (percent)

Grade

 

A

100-92

A-

91-90

B+

89-88

B

87-82

B-

81-80

C+

79-78

C

77-72

C-

71-70

D+

69-68

D

67-62

D-

61-60

F

59 and below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

 

 

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                           

Class Dates:           

Topics

Readings and Assignments

(due the next week)

7/20

1) Overview of course content, format, and expectations.

2) Introduction to ethics: the basics, ethical theories, and critical thinking skills.

3) Present dilemma examples.

 

1)  Form idea for dilemma.

2)  Gather 1 article for journal.  Write one page about why it pertains to ethics.  Bring to class. 

7/27

1) Define ethical dilemma

2) Frameworks to solve dilemmas: REACT

3) Group exercise: dilemma

4)Police Discretion

5) Entitlement

 

1)      Write law enforcement dilemma.  Turn in on 8/3.   

2)      Gather second article for journal. Write one page about why it pertains to ethics.  Bring to class. 

 

8/3

 

 

 

 

GUEST LECTURER: MORNING CLASS ONLY.

(If unable to attend, videotape of lecturer will be available in the library for viewing before next class).

 

1) Begin research to solve dilemma.

2) Write a critic paper on the lecture.

3) Gather third article for journal. Write one page about why it pertains to ethics.  Bring to class.

 

8/10

Movie :  Serpico. 

 

Cast:  Al Pacino

Release Year: 1973

DVD release: 2002

Running Time: 129 minutes

 

Watch at home or arrange to view at CCSJ library. 

Submit a movie review (5 page minimum) .  Utilize all ethical theories and political concepts identified in class in your paper. 

 

Gather fourth article for journal.  Write one page about why it pertains to ethics.  Bring to class.

8/17

Discuss Serpico.

 

Working Groups of dilemmas created by instructors.

 

Hand back dilemmas submitted on 8/3.

 

 Gather fifth article for journal.  Write one page about why it pertains to ethics.  Bring  to class.

 

Resolve graded dilemma in a paper and prepare material for class working groups.  Dilemma answer must include an ethical concept related to law enforcement and utilize an ethical framework to solve.  Dilemma paper is due 8/24.

 

 

 

8/24

 

 

 

Working groups of dilemmas submitted by classmates.

Turn in all 5 pieces of your journal on 8/30.  Each should have a cover page explaining how the article pertained to the concepts of ethics and/or politics in law enforcement. 

8/30

Class Evaluations

 

Working groups of dilemmas submitted by classmates.

 

 

*** Instructors reserve the right to change the syllabus as needed.