Course Objectives and Grade Distribution
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Guidelines and Procedures
Instructor
Officer Marc S. Gray
Round Rock Police Officer
Round Rock High School Resource Officer
Career and Technology Dept.
Criminal Justice Program
(512)464-6079
Eligibility
The program is open to any sophomore, junior or senior attending Round Rock.
Students accepted to the program without regard to race, gender, religion,
national heritage or disability.
Course Objective
Introduction to Criminal Justice is a course designed for college bound and
job-force bound students. The course will explain the history of law
enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the juvenile process. In this
course the students will be challenged with basic knowledge of various
fields of criminal justice as well as competitive projects throughout the
year. This course is intended to stimulate the students’ minds in a positive
manner towards all aspects of the Criminal Justice System.
The Criminal Justice program consists of a double blocked full year
alignment of classes. Introduction to Criminal Justice is for the first year
students, and Criminal Law classes are for the second and students. Upon
successful completion of these classes, students may be eligible for college
credit at a number of area junior and community colleges (up to six {6}
hours).
FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL LAW: A study of the nature of criminal law is
presented. The philosophical and historical development of criminal law is
covered. Major definitions and concepts are studied. The classification of
crime, the elements of crimes and the penalties for the crimes are discussed
using Texas Penal statutes.
Grade Distribution
Daily work and projects: 40%
Tests and quizzes: 40%
Notebooks: 20%
Daily work and projects: Student activity handouts will be worked on in
class when time is available and will be turned in the following day at the
beginning of class for a grade. There will be sponge activities, test
question preps, and projects conducted in class that will also be part of
student’s daily work and grade. These materials will be graded and handed
back to the students to be kept in their notebooks as part of their notebook
grade.
Tests and quizzes: Quizzes will be done on a section by section basis. The
quizzes are to test the knowledge learned by each student from that section.
The quizzes will be graded and returned to the student and can be used as a
study reference to the 6 weeks test. There will be only one test per 6 weeks
which will be conducted at the end of the 6 weeks period. The students will
help to write their own 6 weeks test prior to taking the test. The tests and
quizzes will be graded and returned to the students to keep in their
notebooks for that section.
Notebooks: Students need to keep a neat, up-to-date notebook throughout the
entire school year. The purpose of the notebook is to develop the students
organizational skills, along with keeping important papers that may be used
throughout the year. This notebook could be a good reference for students in
college or for those students who plan on going to the police academy.
Notebooks will be due during the last week of the grading period.
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Classroom Procedures
Late Work Policy:
Homework is due at the beginning of each class period. If it is not turned
in at the time the teacher asks for it, then it is late. Late work will be
accepted as follows:
1 day late—possible 75%
2 days late—possible 50%
3 days late—0%
A day is a week day—not a class day. For example: If homework is due on
Monday, then it can be turned in on Tuesday for 75% and Wednesday for 50%.
After Wednesday it is a zero.
Grading Policy:
• Daily grades count as 40% of your grade. Daily grades consist of
homework and in-class assignments.
• Tests and Quizzes count as 40% of your grade. One six weeks test
will count as 20% of your grade. All quizzes will count as 20% of your
grade.
• Notebook grade will be 20% of your six weeks grade.
• Sponge Activities will be completed each day. Students will receive
one point per completed activity added to their six weeks exam.
Makeup Work:
If a student is absent, then the student has one day for each day absent to
makeup daily work. Sponge activities are not allowed to be made up. All
quizzes, tests, and projects are assigned at the beginning of each six
weeks, therefore students will be responsible for these items even if they
were absent the day before.
** Note—if a student is truant---district policy states that students will
receive a zero for that day.
Behavior:
Students are ultimately responsible for their behavior. Each class will
compose a social contract in which classroom behavior expectations will be
set. This will be a mutual agreement between teacher and students on
maintaining a positive learning environment.
There will be numerous guest speakers visiting the Introduction to Criminal
Justice Class throughout the semester. Students will be required to
maintain appropriate behavior during these visits and treat all guests with
dignity and respect.
**Note—if a school emergency arises, the SROs will have to leave the class
and a substitute teacher will be assigned. Students are expected to comply
with all classroom rules with the substitute.
Tutorials:
SROs are required to attend police briefings every morning; therefore,
tutorials are by appointment only.