Santa Rosa Junior College
AJ25 - Community Relations
Spring 2021 – Online Monday and Wednesday 10:30AM to 12:00PM

Introduction

This course examines the complex, dynamic relationships between communities and the justice system in addressing crime, victimization, conflict, and communication. There is an emphasis on diverse populations within the community and within the justice system.  Students will compare and contrast various problem-solving models and will examine obstacles facing both the community and the criminal justice system related to history and culture.

This course is required for the Associates Degree in the Administration of Justice.

The course includes a mid-term exam, computer simulation exercise or problem-solving project, research paper and group presentation, and a final exam.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the structures of the community and the justice system in the context of government community relations.
2. Identify and describe issues that pose potential barriers and conflicts in government-community relations.
3. Identify and describe strategies that build trust and reduce conflicts in government-community relations.

Course Objectives

• Describe the evolution of community relations in the context of government responsibility. (SLO 1)
• Explain the structure of criminal justice system identifying the policing, judicial, and correctional subsystems. (SLO 1)
• Explain the elements and barriers of effective communication. (SLO 2)
• Describe the role of effective communication in government-community relations. (SLO 2 and 3)
• Explain the aspects of social justice and its application in government-community relations. (SLO 2 and 3)
• Examine the structure of a community identifying key elements, conflicts, and attitudes. (SLO 1)
• Identify the effects of trauma in a community. (SLO 2)
• Analyze conflicts between the community and the criminal justice system. (SLO 2)
• Explain formal and informal power struggles within the community and between the community and the justice system. (SLO 1 and 2)
• Analyze aspects of marginalization and prejudice. (SLO 2)
• Describe population diversity in the context of minority members, subcultures, and special populations. (SLO 1, 2 and 3)
• Analyze the interactions between minority community members, subcultures, special populations and the justice system. (SLO 1, 2 and 3)
• Analyze interactions of minority community members working within the justice system. (SLO 1, 2, and 3)
• Analyze ethical and value-based interactions between community members and justice system members. (SLO 1, 2, and 3)

Work Ethic Expected Of Criminal Justice Professionals

An important part of your education is learning what is expected of a professional working in the criminal justice profession. The rationale for many of the course policies relates directly to preparing you for successful work in the criminal justice system.  Some of the essential attributes of a successful criminal justice professional include:

• Honesty and trustworthy.
• Punctual, exercise time management, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and accurately orally and in writing.

Participation and Standards of Conduct

It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class or online and debate in a mature and respectful manner.  Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited.  For example, words such as "stupid" and "dumb" have no place in describing another person's statement.  Remember, disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable.   Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position.  Class participation is included in the final grade.

When attending class meetings online using Zoom or a similar technology, students are expected to conduct themselves and participate as if they were in a live classroom.  This means students must at least have a working microphone and use it to participate in discussions and to respond to questions posed by the instructor.  The online live class experience is more effective with a working camera and students are strongly encourage to participate in live class sessions with their cameras turned on.  Participation in live class meetings is part of the student’s participation grade.

Normally, live class sessions conducted on Zoom will not be recorded.  If the instructor does record a class session, the class will be informed when the recording begins and ends.  Access to recordings of class sessions is restricted to class members only and not available for download, duplication, or distribution in any manner.

In accordance with Santa Rosa Junior College Board Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all face-to-face (or live online) class meetings.  Students who do not attend class for more than two weeks in a row may be dropped from the class. Students are ultimately responsible for dropping the class should they no longer wish to participate or to even start the class once registered. The instructor is not obligated to drop students at any point in the course. 

Course Work and Assignments

This will be supported by a website in Canvas, the college's learning management system.  The course is divided into Learning Modules (see schedule on the course home page).  Each Module may contain a reading assignment, quiz, research project, or other type of writing assignment.

Writing Guidelines and Submission

Written assignments are typically due by 11:59PM on the date due unless otherwise noted. Late work will not be accepted.

It is highly recommended that work be submitted well before the last hour before the deadline. A technology failure is not an excuse to submit late work. Assignments sent by email will not be accepted unless specifically directed by the instructor.

In the case of an illness requiring hospitalization or that is so severe that the student cannot participate online or in class, the student may submit a note signed by a doctor to support an extension or incomplete grade in the class (see college catalog for incomplete grade policy).

Papers shall be prepared using MLA or APA format with all citations included in a bibliography. All written work shall be typed using a 12-pitch font and submitted electronically through the course website unless otherwise instructed by the instructor.  When a page length is specified, one page is equivalent to 300 words.

How this relates: Criminal justice professionals are expected to be punctual, exercise effective time management, and to meet deadlines. There are many deadlines contained within the law that if missed public the public safety at risk.

See the Assignments link on the Canvas course menu for due dates.

Exams

This course includes a mid-term.  Students must complete the exam on the date and time scheduled.  There are no make-up exams.  Students are expected to complete all exams individually.  Use of textbooks, notes, or electronic devices to access course website content or the Internet is prohibited unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

Academic Honesty

Students are prohibited from sharing their Canvas username and password with anyone. Students shall not allow other students or others not enrolled in the course to access course materials or the Canvas software.  Allowing anyone else to access your Canvas account is grounds for failing the course.

All students are expected to complete their own work and all written work must be original. Work cited from other sources must be cited properly using quotations marks and references as appropriate. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, will not be tolerated and will result in no credit for the assignment or removal from the class.  Self-plagiarism includes submitting work, in whole or in part, used in another class for this class. Do not use paraphrasing or synonym software or tools. They result in unintelligible English which brings originality into question. Passages that appear to be from sources of automated paraphrasing will be considered plagiarism and result in no credit for the assignment. Paraphrasing in any way from an un-cited source will is plagiarism. 

Students are expected to take all course exams individually.  Cheating includes accessing test information in any way that is not approved by the instructor or sharing test information with another student in any way not approved by the instructor.  Cheating on a test shall result in a failing grade.

How this relates: Criminal justice professionals are expected to be honest, trustworthy and to be able to communicate effectively and accurately orally and in writing.

Required Textbook and Technology

Required Text Book: "Multicultural Law Enforcement - Seventh Edition. Robert Shusta et al.
Pearson. January 2018. ISBN: 9780134849188

Click here for more details about textbooks.

The current edition of the textbook is required.  Prior editions will not work as the chapter content is substantially different.

Students must have reliable access to a computer and the Internet.

Grading

Assessment and grading in the class will be completed using points.  Extra credit may be offered at the instructor's discretion. 

The final course grade will be determined based on a percentage of points earned from the total possible using the scale below.

A = 90% to 100%

B = 80% to 89%

C= 70% to 79%

D = 60% to 69%

F = 59% and Below 

Students can view their current grades at anytime by click on "Grades" from the course website main menu.

Disability Resources and Accommodations

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation, please contact the Disability Resources Department.

Disability Resources Department websiteLinks to an external site..

Main Campus:  Third floor, Bertolini Student Center - 707-527-4278 or TTY: 707-528-2442
Petaluma Campus:  Jacobs Hall, Room 101 - 707-778-2491

Requirements For Success

In order to complete this course, students must participate in all online discussions and complete the work for each of the learning modules assigned.

All work must be submitted by 11:59PM on the date it is due. Late work will not be accepted.  Quizzes and Exams must be taken during the time period scheduled. No make-up exams are available.

You should keep a copy of all assignments and papers you submit for this class in the event of some technical failure. 

You are responsible for all communications sent by the instructor via the Canvas Inbox and Canvas Announcements.  Be sure to link your college email account to an email client or other point of access that you check frequently. 

Course Website

This class uses the Canvas learning management system to support all aspects of this class.  You will use Canvas to access handout materials, communicate with me, submit your homework, possibly to take exams, and to access your grades. Canvas is web-based and doesn’t require any special software to be installed on your computer.  Canvas can be accessed from any computer with Internet access including any of the computers in the library on campus.

I highly recommend downloading the Canvas app for your mobile device.  It is free and available for Apple and Android devices.  You are accountable for all information posted in Canvas Announcements or sent via the Canvas Inbox.

I use Zoom for scheduled online class meetings, office hours, and as a back-up for our face-to-face class meetings.  Zoom requires a microphone and speakers at least.  It is best used with a camera.  You can access zoom using a telephone in the event you do not have access to a computer or mobile device.  I recommend downloading the free Zoom app on your computer and mobile device so that it is readily available for your use.

Students are expected to check their college email account and Canvas Inbox and Announcements regularly.

Changes To Course Schedule, Assignments And Syllabus

The course schedule, assignments, and syllabus are subject to change based on the needs of the instructor. You will be notified via the Canvas Inbox or a Canvas Announcement of any changes made.  It is your responsibility to check the Canvas Inbox and Canvas Announcements regularly.

Instructor Contact Information

Email: Use the Canvas Inbox or gmiraglia@santarosa.edu (as a back-up)
Phone: 707-654-4528
Office Hours: Online By Appointment via Zoom
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/3323881089 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Password: 6544528
Websites: www.gregmiraglia.com