CJ 299 – Associates Capstone

 Greetings all! Welcome to CJ 299 Associates Capstone in Criminal Justice!!  Please be sure to read through the syllabus and desk page thoroughly.  If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. I routinely answer my in less than 24 hours. You may also reach me on AIM at cherylahorwath. (very original, I know!)  Does anyone have any questions or comments before we get started?

 Let me begin by introducing myself to you. My name is Cheryl Horwath and I have been teaching in the Criminal Justice Field for over 23 years (which I guess makes me a golden oldie!) I currently live in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago with my husband, two kids (although one is away at college) and a yellow lab named Boomer. (who is the most photogenic of all of us!)

 This course is organized differently than other courses you have taken at Kaplan University. There are only four true units. Although the course page enumerates ten units, the odd- numbered units only contain Dropbox submission information.  The Capstone course is a blend of instructor- facilitated, group-supported independent research and asynchronous group discussion.  For this course, consider the even-numbered units as two weeks in length, as the projects are comprehensive and will likely take more than one week to complete.

 This course is not designed to teach any new concepts, so there are no textbooks, formal reading assignments, or examinations. The purpose of this course is to give you an opportunity to integrate learning from all of your coursework into a series of projects designed to assess your ability to synthesize discrete concepts into a more global view and, at the same time, give you a basis from which to critically reflect on your learning.

 In Units 3,5,7 you will complete and submit projects. I urge you to keep a calendar with the assignments and deadlines to ensure that you remain aware of what is due each week.  The three projects in this course are:  Sentencing Project - Unit 3  Search and Seizure Project - Unit 5  Community Oriented Policing – Unit 7

 In Unit 9, you will submit a Professional Development Journal.  A Professional Development Journal is like a diary in which you reflect on current events - in this case, your education here at Kaplan - as a way to put your thoughts down in writing. It allows you to look at what you have written and assess what you have learned and how to apply it to your work, your life, and your future

 Your journal should include at least five short- term (6 months to a year) and five long-term (five years) goals, with a plan on how to get to those goals.  Rather than waiting until the end, you should work on the journal throughout the course, adding and refining your thoughts as part of a process of discovery.

 Discussion  In each unit, you have the opportunity to utilize the Discussion Board to communicate with your fellow students and professor regarding the topic questions for the week or projects.  It’s a wonderful place to share your thoughts and ideas. Please don’t miss the opportunity of using them regularly.

 Discussion Boards are graded on even numbered weeks, so it is important to participate.  Please look through the grading rubric for discussion boards in your syllabus. You want to be sure to get the most points possible each week!

Seminars  There are three (3) seminars scheduled for this term. The next two are as follows:  Wed. March 21 – 11 am – 12 pm Eastern Time  Mon. April 23rd – 9 – 10 pm Eastern Time  Attendance at seminars is not mandatory, but it is a great way to have a “live” discussion with fellow students and your professor.

 Although there are only three seminars, they are well worth your while to attend.  The seminar format is somewhat informal and we will be discussing many topics related to the criminal justice field and your assignments.  I hope you’ll join us!

 A word about late work………  5% per week deduction  No late work accepted after third week late.  Assignments are due on Tuesdays, by midnight eastern time. Anytime after midnight is still considered late, even if it’s only a few minutes.

 Unit 1  During Unit 1, make sure you take the time to “introduce yourself” to the rest of the class!  There is also a discussion board due this week. This week’s discussion we will talk about Research Strategies. You should share effective research strategies, including relevant publications, books, or web sites, that you think will support your success in this class.

 In unit 2 you can begin your Sentencing Project. Remember to read thoroughly all of the requirements for the paper. Among the highlights are:  A 5 – 7 page paper, using APA guidelines.  Your paper should address the following:  Define, describe, and discuss the pros and cons of indeterminate, determinate, and mandatory sentencing.  You must provide outside references, utilizing peer reviewed journal articles where possible.  You can find information on APA and ProQuest in the doc sharing tab

Resources  Some great resources come from government publications. For example:  National Institute of Justice   Bureau of Justice Statistics:  =141

 Sentencing models:  Indeterminate sentencing – sentences that have a minimum and maximum time to be served. Decision is made by release authority as to when the time served is enough.  Determinate sentences – sentences of fixed terms

 Mandatory Minimum Sentences - during the 1980’s, concern that some offenders should be sentenced to prison without the chance of probation. Mandatory minimums adopted in 48 states and the feds.  Requires that for certain crimes or for certain types of offenders, there must be a sentence to prison for at least a minimum term. Theory was good, but in practice, there is problems. Drug offenders, for instance, make up 53% of the federal inmates.

 Three Strikes laws – requires judges to sentence third time felons to extremely long prison terms of years to life. Intended to incapacitate habitual and dangerous law violators who commit three felonies. First passed in Washington in 1993 as a target for violent offenders. In 1994, California expanded the definition to include some second felony offenders. 26 states have Three strikes.  Debate on the effectiveness and impact.

Question??  Which of the two sentencing models do you think is the best?   What benefits are most important for your choice?

Question???  What are the “Three Strikes Laws”? Are they a deterrent? Necessary?

 Week 3  In week 3, your sentencing project is due. Mark it down in your calendar so you don’t forget!  The Unit 3 Discussion Board will concentrate on any questions or concerns you have regarding your first project submission.  Remember, the discussion boards are graded every other week. Be sure you do all you can to meet all the criteria so you receive full credit.

 Our second seminar will be held during week 4. It is scheduled for: . Wednesday, March 21 st – 11 am ET  Make sure to mark it in your calendars! I will be sending out reminders the week before.

 Some videos on mandatory sentencing:  1VU&feature=related  UYgc UYgc  R4&feature=related R4&feature=related

 Video – Life in Prison – determinate sentencing  7h8 7h8  Reducing Recidivism:  ZOA

 I’ve gone over the highlights of your Capstone Course. I’m sure you will find the subject matter and assignments interesting.  Does anyone have any questions or concerns?  Feel free to voice them….I’m happy to help and dedicated to making sure you have the best, most successful term possible!

 It has been a pleasure “meeting” everyone during our first seminar. I look forward to working with you the rest of the term.  Remember, if you ever have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via or on AIM (at cherylahorwath). I will get back to you via within 24 hours, but in the majority of cases, it is much sooner.  Have a wonderful week and I’ll see you on the boards!