*Required* Online Orientation

Before you complete this orientation, make sure you are registered for the course.

Austin Community College

CRIJ 1307
Crime in America

Instructor:  Fred D. Toler

Welcome to the online version of
Crime in America
CRIJ 1307 002 syn 16418

American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crime; impact and crime trends; social characteristics of specific crimes; prevention of crime.

To complete this orientation:
1. Read the course information below.
2. Complete the student information form in the yellow box at the bottom of this page.
3. Submit the student information form.

§ Your orientation is not complete
until the instructor receives the web form. §

 

Contacting Instructor:

  • E-mail:                ftoler@austincc.edu

  • ACC telephone: 512-223-5182 (Voice Mail is frequently checked for messages)
  • Office Location: EASTVIEW CAMPUS (EVC)
                                    3401 Webberville Road,
                                    Austin, Texas 78702
                                    bldg 3000 room 3222

  • Office hours:      By Appointment

     

Class Overview :

  • Text: Current edition of  Criminology-The Core
               by Larry J. Siegel

·         Online discussion topics as needed

·         Students go through course together as a learning community

·         Course Definitions, textbook exercises, and short topic papers.

  • Exams, papers and assignments

·         Exams must be taken before DEADLINE posted in course calendar.

·         Textbook Exercises must be turned into the Digital Drop Box by the
              deadline posted in the course calendar.

·         Research Paper

  • Course Documents: 

·         Course documents in Blackboard

·         Course documents include:

·         Course Calendar

·         Syllabus

·         Textbook Exercises

·         Short Topic Papers

  • Major Exams

·         Major exams will be given.

·         Each exam contains multiple-choice questions and may contain short answer questions.

·         Exams must be taken BEFORE the dates posted on course calendar

 

 

Grading Policy:

Grading Policy

  • Exams will be worth a total of 500 points
  • Textbook Exercises and Short Topic Papers will
    be worth a total of 200 points
  • Research Paper is worth a total of 200 points
  • Discussion questions will be worth a total of 100 points
  • The maximum possible points during the course is 1000
  • At semesters end the total points will be divided by ten to obtain the final average on a 100-point scale

Numeric to alpha
grade conversions:

90 -100=A
80 - 89=B
70 -79= C
60 - 69=D
Below 60=F

·         This is a personal computer/modem (PCM) Open Campus version of the standard Criminal justice course listed at the top of the page

·         The student will be required to do the same amount and quality of work as the classroom equivalent of this course. 

·         This course will require self-discipline, knowledge of personal computers and the Internet. 

Blackboard

Blackboard is an online system that supports communication in this course. Each of you will have a password and access to all of the course materials, i.e. syllabus, calendar, grading system, course requirements and expectations. In addition, the Blackboard system allows for me to post announcements and discussion questions. As a student you can participate in the discussion forums, check your grades and read my comments, and leave assignments in the digital dropbox for me to “pick up”. It is expected that you check this site a minimum of once a week.
You are responsible for the details contained in the syllabus and all other information in the blackboard course. You may want to print a copy of the syllabus to keep available for reference.

You may access the ACC resources available to you as a distance learning student at: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/StudentWelcome.html

Accessing Blackboard
With a web browser, open the following URL: http://acconline.austincc.edu/

Students may also access Blackboard by selecting the “Blackboard/Online Courses” link from the student resources menu on the ACC website at http://www.austincc.edu/.

Once your browser has accessed the Blackboard site, click the "Login" button to begin using Blackboard. You will be prompted to enter your ACCeID and Password. If you have not set up your ACCeID please click here and follow the directions carefully.

Trouble logging in?
ACC Help Line is 512-223-8026 or 1-888-223-8026 or you can email dl@austincc.edu

Testing Procedures:

Inside ACC service area

·         Exams will be administered at the ACC campus Testing Centers.

·         You must check for the times and days that your center will be open.
               You must take exams during the week/day(s) it is available.
               Failure to take the exam during the prescribed period may reduce your
               exam score or result in a zero for the exam.

·         You will NOT need a permission slip to take exams.

·         You will need your ACC ID and an additional form of picture ID.

·         It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, read and be thoroughly familiar with ACC Testing                Center Rules prior to taking exams at the center. Violation of these rules is very serious and                may result in disciplinary action being taken against the student. For more information and                testing center hours please refer to www.austincc.edu/testctr

Outside ACC service area

·         Students approval from instructor

·         Student must locate approved testing facility within the first two weeks of the semester

  • Example of approved testing facility includes;
    nearby college or university
  • The open campus/ Distance Learning

Each student must take the required midterm and final exams as described in the
syllabus and orientation.

For students residing outside the ACC service area, the student must get approval from the instructor to test at a location other then specified ACC testing centers. 

The student outside the ACC service area must locate a testing facility at a nearby college or university during the first two weeks of the semester and advised the instructor of the matter.  The Open Campus/Distance Learning staff will assist the student in this task.  Once faculty approval is given, a receiving institution has agreed to provide the distance testing service, and the faculty member has provided Open Campus (OPC) with all necessary tests and Distance Testing Transmittal forms, OPC staff will forward all testing materials to the college or university.  The web for Distance Learning at Austin Community College is http://dl.austincc.edu 
The ACC Help Line is 512/223-8026 or 1-888-223-8026 or you can email dl@austincc.edu

The student is responsible for paying any testing/proctoring fees to the proctoring institution and the costs for returning the completed exams to the instructor or OPC.

Testing Center Rules: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, read and be
thoroughly familiar with ACC Testing Center Rules prior to taking exams at the center.
Violation of these rules is very serious and may result in disciplinary action being taken
against the student. For more information refer to www.austincc.edu/testctr

*Scholastic Dishonesty: 
ANY form of scholastic dishonesty by the student
will automatically earn a grade of “F” for this course.

Helpful Web Pages and Telephone Numbers:

·         Criminal Justice Department WebPage: Students are encouraged to review the department’s web page at http://www.austincc.edu/crij/ where valuable information concerning the criminal justice program may be found. Several URL sites are also listed giving a number of important CRJ informational resources.

·         Textbooks for Open Campus order online at http://www.mbsdirect.net
or by phone 1-800-325-3252.

  • Bookstores
    • Cypress- 335-8363
    • Eastview- 927-1619

·         Distance Learning helpline can be contacted online @ http://dl.austincc.edu
or by phone 512-223-8026 Toll free 1-888-223-8026

·         Blackboard Student Manual

 

Please complete the STUDENT INFORMATION FORM so that I know you have read the Class Overview.

Your orientation is not complete until I receive the Student Information Form.

Now log into your class in Blackboard and READ all information provided under the course tabs. Also print out the course syllabus and calendar.