Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - ANG6519
Tracking Number - 5068
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Current Status:
SCNS Liaison Notified of Graduate Council Approval - 2015-08-28
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: for CSI Cert - required. GC reviewed - LO need revision. Emailed 12/12/14. Updated 2/10/15 - to GC. Approved 3/6/15. to USF 8/28/15; to SCNS 9/7/15.
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2014-09-18
- Department: Anthropology
- College: AS
- Budget Account Number: N/A
- Contact Person: Erin Kimmerle
- Phone: 8139745139
- Email: kimmerle@usf.edu
- Prefix: ANG
- Number: 6519
- Full Title: Evidence in Court and Expert Testimony
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: O -
Other
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Evidence and Expert Testimony
- Course Online?: O -
Online (100% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites: N/A
- Corequisites: N/A
- Course Description: Explores how to testify in criminal trials and provides the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to become an expert witness, form opinions, and prepare an expert report. The course also covers the legal framework governing expert credibility.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for new program/concentration/certificate
- 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? This course is part of a new USF graduate certificate program, Crime Scene Investigations for Violation Crimes. The program is designed for advanced professional and graduate student development in the areas of crime scene reconstructions, investigations, and applied science methods and tools for violent crimes including human trafficking, criminal homicide and cold case investigations, exploited children, and missing and unidentified persons.
The new tools and technological advancements through modern forensic science are changing investigations in practice. There is a strong need for in-depth focus programs that offer professional development and advanced technical training for a wide range of jobs within the medico-legal and security sectors. Moreover, many agencies are adopting a promotional model based on advanced training and education and therefore there is an increased need for leadership and command training in these areas. The topics in the certificate draw on the strengths of our existing program and the technical training and services offered through the USF Forensics Anthropology Laboratory and the USF forensics network.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) A qualified instructor should have earned a doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline, which for the forensic sciences is a M.A.; M.Sc.; J.D.; M.Pharm.; or M.B.A. Additionally, the ideal candidate will also have at least 5 years of experience with criminal investigations or violent crimes.
- Objectives: 1. To acquire an understanding of the Constitutional and practical grounds for criminal procedure
2. To articulate informed opinion about principles of fairness, due process, and liberty
3. To identify the practical legal necessities for organizing successful strategy & tactics for trial
4. To appreciate the foundations and principles underlying the basic rules of evidence
5. To prepare students for presenting evidence and testimony in criminal trials
- Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to 1.Demonstrate kKnowledge of Constitutional law and practical grounds for criminal procedure in cases of violent crimes such homicide and child exploitation.
2.Develop skills in critical thinking and the ability to analyze the use of evidence in legal strategies & tactics for trial.
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the foundations and principles underlying the basic rules of evidence.
- Major Topics: * Applicable Case Law
* Evidence Consideration for Court
* The Legal Process
* Legal Precedents and Expert Testimony
* The Deposition
* Pretrial Preparation and Trial Knowledge
* Giving Testimony and Understanding the Jury
- Textbooks: Ingram J. 2014. Criminal Evidence, 12e. Cincinnati: Anderson.
Ferdico J. 2010. Criminal procedure for the criminal justice professional, 10e. NY: Thomson Higher Ed Wadsworth.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: N/A
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Grades:
There will be a possible 500 points that you can earn during the course of the semester. Final grades are based on the following:
5 Reading Synthesis Papers 20 points each 100 pts 20%
5 Discussion Board Posts 20 points each 100 pts 20%
Research Paper 100 pts 20%
Mid Term Exam 100 pts 20%
Final Exam 100 pts 20%
Total 500 points 100%
Final grades are based on the following scale:
A+ = 98-100%, A = 93-97%, A- = 90-92%, B+ = 88-89%, B = 83-87%, B- = 80-82%, C+ = 78-79%,
C = 73-77%, C- = 70-72%, D+ = 68-69%, D = 63-67%, D- = 60-62%, F =
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: Reading Synthesis Papers:
A synthesis paper of the readings assigned for the week will be written and turned in as assigned. The paper should be 1-2 pages, single spaced, and should briefly summarize and relate all readings for the week. The papers should also provide some discussion of the topic and the student’s reaction to the information provided in the readings.
Discussion Board Posts:
Five discussion questions will be distributed throughout the course. Discussion questions will require students to respond in at least 500 words, and also provide a follow up response to another student in at least 300 words. All students are expected to be critical consumers of information and add to the discussion boards. Viewpoints MUST be discussed in a professional, academic, and non-judgmental manner. Disrespectful students will be addressed accordingly.
Research Paper:
This is a graduate level course. Original research is very important. The topics are wide open, but students must get prior topic approval from the instructor prior to beginning research. More details about the format and specific expectations for the paper will be available online. Students should plan for a 10-15 page paper, with full citations, using journal articles and book chapters relevant to their topic. Depending on the topic, other research methods may be used such as case study reviews, interviews, or retrospective analyses.
Exams:
There will be two online exams throughout the semester. Each exam will consist of a combination of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions. Each question will be worth two points, for a maximum of 100 points for each exam. You will have 50 minutes to complete each exam. The exams will cover the required readings from the textbook, lectures, and discussion material. Exams will not be cumulative. Exam grades will be posted on Canvas as soon as they are available. Students who would like to review exam grades will have the opportunity to do so by appointment. You will be able to take the exams from Thursday at 5 pm until Saturday at 5 pm, the week of exams. No exceptions.
Remember although you are completing exams electronically, these examinations are not designed to be open note or open book. You are expected to have full knowledge of the material as if you were sitting for a live exam. There will be a timer in place and you will have 50 minutes to complete the exam (1 minute per question). Exceeding the 50 minutes will result in the deduction of one point per minute or any portion thereof over the allotted time (e.g., if you go over by 1 minute 20 seconds, you will lose two points). A 30 second grace period will be provided to allow for slow submissions and high traffic on the system. Exams must be completed in one session; you must finish the exam 50 minutes from the time started.
Being Locked Out of an Exam:
During tests, please make sure you use a reliable connection, as the test will not be reset. You will not be able to backtrack your questions. Failure to use a computer with a high-speed connection is not an excuse for failure to complete an exam on time. If you experience technical problems taking the test and experience a system “lock out” you must notify the instructor immediately and the exam will be reset. If you fail to contact the instructor within the Thursday 5pm to Saturday 5pm window, no resets for exams will be given. Taking take the exam no later than the 12 hours from the due date will allow for ample time to contact the instructor if something happens.
Please note, your grade in this course is largely based on your performance on timed, objective assessments. If you do not do well on these types of exams, it is suggested that you choose another course. No alternative assignments will be given for those that do not perform well on these types of assignments.
- Attendance Policy: Attendance and Participation:
Attendance and participation will be evaluated by discussion forums and assignments posted on Canvas. No make ups will be permitted for missed assignments (except as dictated by documented circumstances or emergencies, prior arrangements cleared through the instructor or situations as outlined below). Assignments and projects are given as the schedule dictates. These assignments and projects count for participation points towards the overall grade for this course. Assignments will be posted by Monday of each week.
Absences due to Religious Observances:
Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term if they intend to be absent for a scheduled class forum, examination, or announced assignment. Students absent for religious reasons, as noticed to the instructor at the beginning of each academic term, will be given reasonable opportunities to make up any work missed. For further information, please refer to:
http://generalcounsel.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-10-045.pdf
Absences due to Medical Issues:
If you need to be absent due to medical reasons (yours or your immediate family's) on an exam day or a day an assignment is due, please provide a physician's note and notify me prior to class or immediately after the missed exam or assignment.
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.
Absences due to Medical Issues
If you need to be absent due to medical reasons (yours or your immediate family's) on an exam day or a day an assignment is due, please provide a physician's note and notify me prior to class or immediately after the missed exam or assignment.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Makeup Exams and Late Work
Any problem a student incurs must be brought to the attention of the instructor as soon as possible. Makeup exams will be given only if a student provides sufficient proof of a legitimate medical problem or other emergency. Late assignments will only be accepted if a student provides a legitimate, written excuse. In such cases, late work will be penalized one letter grade or the equivalent for each day that it is late.
Academic Integrity
Penalties for academic dishonesty (including cheating and plagiarism) may include: assignment of an “F” or a numerical value of zero on the assignment, quiz, exam, etc.; assignment of an “F” or an “FF” grade (the latter indicating academic dishonesty) in the course; and/or suspension or expulsion from the University.
The University of South Florida has an account with an automated plagiarism detection service which allows instructors and students to submit student assignments to be checked for plagiarism. The instructor reserves the right to: 1) request that assignments be submitted as electronic files; 2) electronically submit assignments to SafeAssignment, 3) ask students to submit their assignments to SafeAssignment through myUSF. Assignments are compared automatically with a database of journal articles, web articles, and previously submitted papers. The instructor receives a report showing exactly how a student’s paper was plagiarized.
Incomplete (I), S/U Grades
An incomplete grade (I) will only be given under very rare circumstances. To qualify for an incomplete, the student must have completed all but a very small portion of the course, and must have earned a passing grade up to that point. A contract will be signed between the student and the instructor for completion of the work.
Only non-anthropology or non-certificate seeking students are eligible for S/U grades. Students choosing this option must do so no later than one week after the last day to add classes.
- Program This Course Supports: Crime Scene Investigations for Violent Crimes (Graduate Certificate)
- Course Concurrence Information: N/A
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.