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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - CJE6716
Tracking Number - 2902

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Current Status: Approved by SCNS - 2013-10-11
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: to GC 5/6/13; replace Sel Topics. Approved. Cleared Syst Concurrence 7/31/13. to SCNS 8/5/13. Approved eff 9/1/13- Nmbr 6712 approvdas 6716


Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2012-07-10
  2. Department: Criminology
  3. College: BC
  4. Budget Account Number: 122100-01036-000000-0000000
  5. Contact Person: Max Bromley
  6. Phone: 8139747281
  7. Email: mbromley@usf.edu
  8. Prefix: CJE
  9. Number: 6716
  10. Full Title: Criminal Justice Graduate Capstone Seminar
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: Y
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Criminal Justice Grad Capstone
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 100
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites: none
  23. Corequisites: none
  24. Course Description: In this capstone seminar students will be required to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a specific problem within their agency as well as a proposed solution(s).

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for program/concentration/certificate change
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Replace selected topics course with permanent course numbers needed for completion of the MACJA program requirements. This course will act to enhance the professional, analytical, and problem solving skills of criminal justice practicioners currently employed in the field.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? Yes, 3 or more times
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Earned doctorate/terminal degree in the teaching discipline or related discipline.
  29. Objectives: Understand the need for improvement in some aspect of their organization/department. Summarize the range of factors that may be directly related to the area that needs improvement.
  30. Learning Outcomes: Identify and describe a departmental problem that needs to be addressed.

    Illustrate a variety of factors that relate to their departmental problem.

    Design a written problem-solving proposal to address their departmental problem.

    Generate a recommended solution to their departmental problem.

  31. Major Topics: operationalization and statement of the problem and its contributing factors, discussion of relevant research to critically analyze problem, conclusion and policy recommendations.
  32. Textbooks: There will be no assigned textbooks.
  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Assigned readings as relevant to topic selected for capstone paper.
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: The student’s final grade for this course will be based on completion of an Executive Summary Position paper.

    Grade Scale:

    90 - 100 = A

    80 - 89 = B

    70 - 79 = C

    60 - 69 = D

    < 60 = F

  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: POSITION PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

    Requirements

    1. Each student must turn in their Executive Summary Position Paper on your scheduled date. One letter grade will be deducted automatically for each week a Position Paper is late.

    2. The Executive Summary Position Paper must be no less than ten (10) pages but no more than twelve (12) pages in length. Margins which are too wide will reduce your page count.

    3. The Executive Summary Position Paper must be typed and double-spaced, use font size 12.

    4. While extensive research is not the object of the Executive Summary Position Paper, students shall use and list no less than twelve (12) different reference sources, using a standard APA format. Multiple uses of a single source reference will detract from your grade.

    5. Students are expected to use proper grammar and punctuation.

    6. Proper APA style citations must be used.

    7. Your topic for the Executive Summary Position Paper must be approved by the professor.

    8. The Executive Summary Position Paper Format must be followed.

    Definition

    The Executive Summary Position Paper may be defined as “the overview of a problem and the presentation of a proposed solution(s) for others to consider.”

    Steps to Follow

    The student’s task is to place yourself in the position of a member of a criminal justice planning staff; to review an approved agency problem; to summarize some research on the topic, and to write a paper for a chief or other criminal justice executive to act on. You must provide one or more recommended solutions for the problem you select.

    Your writing must be clear and concise so the criminal justice executive can readily understand the problem, review the facts, comprehend the reasoning behind the solution/recommendations and be prepared to take action. Your research must reflect high academic quality.

    The Executive Summary Position Paper Format (SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED & ADHERE TO THE FORMAT)

    The Executive Summary Position Paper must have a cover page stating:

    – Your name

    – The title

    – CCJ 6935 - Criminal Justice Problem Solving

    – Spring 2012

    – Professor: Dr. Max L. Bromley

    The cover sheet does not count in the total number of pages required. The remainder of the format for the Executive Summary Position Paper is divided into five (5) sections as follows:

    Use Roman Numerals to identify the five (5) sections, use capital letters to identify the factors in section II.

    I. The Problem - The statement of the problem tells the criminal justice executive what the difficulty is; what problem is to be solved. No discussion is necessary at this point. In later sections you will be elaborating on the facts, issues, solutions, etc. The “problem” must be approved by the instructor.

    II. Factors Bearing on the Problem - This section includes facts or statements of truth which can be substantiated. For example, “The average education level of the police officer in this city is 14.5 years (or high school plus 2 ˝ years college).” Another example might be, “Last year the citizens of this county only reported 200 crimes in progress to the police” or “the jail population averaged 20% above maximum capacity in fiscal year 1983/84.”

    List each factor separately. (use capital letters to identify factors) Cite any references used for these facts using APA style.

    Also in this section, the student may list any assumptions which may lend weight to their final recommendation/solutions. Examples: “It is assumed that if the victims of crimes are compensated for their time spent testifying in court, more citizens will be willing to become involved in prosecutions; or, “It is assumed that better trained officers will be able to more effectively communicate with the public.

    III. Discussion - The discussion section is the “meat and potatoes” of the Executive Summary Position Paper. It contains the critical analysis of the problem and all possible factors researched. It reviews the “pros and cons” of the issues raised and possible solutions. It provides rationale for the eventual recommended solution(s). This is the critical area for the student to show the professor and your administrator you have done your research properly. This is the longest section. Cite all references. Each factor listed in Section II must be elaborated on in Section III (Discussion).

    IV. Conclusion(s) - Now that you’ve shown how you reasoned through the problem, state a conclusion. The conclusion is nothing more than a brief statement of the best possible solution or solutions which you have described in detail in the Discussion section. You do not need to continue the discussion. You should not introduce new material in this section. Example: “Although new jails could be constructed to house more inmates, a new program of community custody for first offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes would prove more cost-effective.”

    V. Action recommended -In this section you tell the instructor (and the criminal justice executive) what your final recommended action is. Alternate possible actions have already been reviewed in your Discussion section. You’re making a commitment to a single course of action. Example: “It is recommended that the city hire five more prosecuting attorneys and three more judges in order to make the court system more expedient.” You may include several steps that must be done in support of your action recommended, including a time frame for possible actions steps.

    Finally, include a page entitled references which lists your references in APA format.

    The reference section does not count in the total number of pages required.

  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: All materials pertinent to the course must be submitted as scheduled no later than the final day of the course, unless discussed on an individual basis with the professor.

    Academic Honesty

    The field of criminal justice is based upon the integrity of those working in it. It is assumed that students taking this class will live up to the highest levels of academic honesty. If the instructor has reason to believe a student is cheating or being academically dishonest in any way, proceedings may be instituted to have the student dismissed from the program and or the University (see current University Catalog). An F received as a result of academic dishonesty automatically eliminates you as a CCJ major. A class in which you receive an F as a result of academic dishonesty is not repeatable.

  38. Program This Course Supports: MA in Criminal Justice Administration
  39. Course Concurrence Information:


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.