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Protective Services
Orientation Manual
Criminal Justice I
Tony Littles, Instructor
Barnwell County Career Center
Blackville, SC
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Orientation
Course Descriptions

Course: Criminal Justice in Action

Credit: 2 Units
Grades: 10, 11, and 12

This yearly course is an overview of the criminal justice process.

Students will learn the duties and responsibilities of the police, courts, and corrections.
Included in this course is the historical development of the system, study of landmark Supreme
Court decisions that impact criminal justice. Time permitting, field trips will be taken to various
locations during the semester.

Textbook: Criminal Justice in Action-5th Edition – copyright 2009

Author: Larry K. Gaines/Roger Leroy Miller
Publisher: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Basic Manual

Grading System Policy

Students need to be aware that there are two calculations in totaling grades. Each calculation is
discussed here:

Physical Training/Behavior 50 points

Test/Final/Midterm 100 points
Quizzes 50 points
Research Paper 100 Points

Final Grades are averaged in the following formula:

First 9 Weeks Accumulation of 500 points

Second 9 Weeks Accumulation of 500 points
Third 9 weeks Accumulation of 500 points
Fourth 9 Weeks Accumulation of 400 points plus 100 points/Final Exam

FINAL END OF YEAR GRADE Accumulation of 2000 points

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Grading Scale
Tests Quizzes 9 Weeks Points Overall
100 Points Quizzes 450-500/A
90-100/A 46-50/A 400-449/B
80-89/B 40-45/B 350-399/C
70-79/C 35-39/C 300-349/D
60-69/D 30-34/D Below 299/F
51-59/F 0-29/F

ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE FINAL EXAM

NO EXCEPTIONS!
Due to these courses consisting of hands-on practical applications,
students are not allowed to continue this course should they be placed
on homebound study.
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Academic Test Scores

At the end of a given unit of study, a test will be given for academic scoring. Various types of
test will be given. The tests are used to determine your understanding of the material covered and
to ensure that the competency or competencies were attained for which the test is being
administered.
The number of tests given during a grading period will vary, and the point value for tests will
depend on variables such as time, material covered, the difficulty of learning objectives, and
other specific goals for the period of study.
Type of test will depend on the objectives.

The expectations for this area include, but are not limited to
1. Tests will be given at the end of specified units of study and will be announced at least
two days before the test day.
2. The point value of tests will vary according to content, the difficulty of content, and the
amount of material covered.
3. Although you are tested each day, unit tests will give you an indication of comprehension
and knowledge of the subject matter.
4. If a student is absent on the test day, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for a
make-up test. A student has 3 days to arrange for the make-up test upon his/her return to class.
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Special Notes

If a student is absent on the day the test is assigned; the student will arrange to take the make-up
test within three days after the student returns to class.

If the absence is unexcused, the student is NOT allowed to take a make-up test, and the test score
will be recorded as a “0” for the test missed.

Daily Grades/Employability Rating

Students are graded every day for the material covered in class. Lesson and class activity will
vary to ensure that students are working to attain the highest level of learning possible for a
given unit of study. Class activity will consist of open discussion, individual presentation
(instructor or student), group activity consisting of two or more students working together, or
Develop activity study, etc.

Individual Assignments (See Research Paper)

For the most part, I will not assign homework because there are not enough books to send home.
There will be projects assigned that may require research at home, homeschool, library, or The
internet. The work will vary depending on the content being covered in class.

(THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

Other Information Related to the Point System

If a student is removed from this class for any disciplinary reason, the daily grade for that class
will result in a low Attendance/Behavior grade for the term.

Students suspended (ISS/OSS) will receive a low Physical Training/Behavior grade.

NOTE: In the past, I have had parents call because their child received a low
Attendance/Behavior grade because of an OSS. Note to the wise, if you are going jeopardize
your education by being irresponsible, you have to suffer the consequences (do the crime, do
time). Your children will be treated as young adults in the classroom. I am here to help you
prepare them for the real world. Thanks for your help.

Absences

If you are going to be absent from class, you must call the school and speak with the instructor or
leave a message at the office that you will not be here before your class start. If it is an excused
absence, (late bus, sick, car trouble, etc.), you will not be penalized. If you or your parent does
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not call in or it is an unexcused absence, you will still receive a zero for the day. I will send
home my business card with my phone number on it, and it is written on the top of your syllabus.

Cell Phones

Cell Phones are a nuisance to educators/administrators/ and the learning environment. Cell
phones that are observed in possession of students will be removed and given to the Director so
that he may turn them over to the parents. Second Offense, the phone will not be returned until
June.

Research Papers:

The paper can be 2-3 PAGES (not including a title page and reference page) in length on the
topics related to law enforcement.

You must cite your sources. You may have more than one source if you like.
• Any internet sources must be from gov. or edu. sites. Do NOT use .com sites as sources.
• Sources can be from a periodical (magazine, journal) or
• Online periodical sources count as a periodical source, not as an internet source. or
• The source can be from a book (online books are considered a book source as well) or
• You may not use .com sources. These will not count as sources and points will be
deducted.

The paper must follow APA format.

• Double Spaced
• Font Size 12
• Header on Each Page
• Each Page Numbered
• Parenthetical Citations
• Works Cited Included

All other APA guidelines must be followed, such as those regarding quotations. Look up Brief
Handbook for guidelines if you need guidance. Points will be deducted for the incorrect format
of research papers.

Classwork:
In classes where a study guide is used, a lot of your assignments will be from that source. It is
your responsibility to keep up with your study guide and work on it as assigned. Depending on
the course, you will have a specified time to complete the particular assignment. The purpose of
this work is to ensure that you are reading the textbook material and learning self-discipline.

Material and Resources

The following resources and materials will be used in the classroom:
1. Handcuffs
2. Training Batons
3. Green Gas Guns
4. Redman Training Suits
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5. Finger Printing Kits

6. The Internet
7. Magazine/Newspaper

Current Events
Articles from a newspaper or other publications that are of local interest and are criminal justice-
related.

Publications
Magazines, brochures, or other publications that provide information on Law Enforcement
Agencies in other areas.

Videos
Tape segments from shows like C.O.P.S., America's Most Wanted, Rescue 911, etc., or a movie
that shows realistic situations that involve Law Enforcement Officers or issues.

Books Reports
Read and write a summary of a book/s that is relevant to law enforcement, or the criminal justice
system.
The instructor must approve ALL books for this assignment.

Programs (Software)
Using a computer program, demonstrate how it can be used in this class to generate interest and
be a learning device or technique.

Internet
1. Locate on the Internet information that relates to current topics being presented in class and
research, with follow-up, on these topics. Be prepared to present these findings in a class
discussion.
2. Locate sources for criminal justice, fire service, and/or emergency medical service on the
Internet. Record the location and summarize the significance of the topic and why you think this
topic relates to this study and why it is important to this course.
3. Using your creative thinking skills, using the Internet as a resource, develop a study for this
class. Discuss this project with the instructor before attempting to undertake this work.

Personal Interviews
One on one interview conducted by the student with professionals working in the field of
criminal justice. (You need to discuss this assignment with the instructor before continuing.)

Games
Develop activity in a game format that could be used for a class learning exercise.