SYLLABUS
Course Number / Prefix: CJL-2610-89795 Courtroom Prsntn/Sci
Evidence ONLINE
Course Title: Courtroom Prsentation of Scientific Evidence
3 Credits
Term - Fall Term 2009 starts 08/24/09 to 12/14/09
Instructor: Dr. Rex Curry
Telephone Number: 813 508-5019
Email Address(es)/Other Contact Information: lawyer@ij.net
(The best way to reach the instructor with questions about the class,
topics, errors, problems
is at lawyer@ij.net. Assignments (which consist of discussion participation)
must be posted to the online discussion board.
However, questions about the class, topics, errors, problems should be
emailed to lawyer@ij.net,
and not simply posted within a discussion post. email to lawyer@ij.net
is more effective and faster than
an attempt to communicate through the class email on the class web site).
There is also a syllabus at http://home.earthlink.net/~lawyercurry/
and linked through the faculty web page at http://www.hccfl.edu/facultyinfo/ercurry/
Office Hours (Day, Time, Location): at your request.
Class Schedule: Online weekly structure based around
book chapters.
Course URL (web address): https://hcconline.blackboard.com * If you have not purchased your textbook, you might
be able to gain temporary access to the class web site for 15 days in
order to complete the mandatory assignment while you obtain the class book.
If you require assistance with passwords and with the use of the Learning
Management System used at HCC, please contact the HCC Help Desk at 813.253.7000
extension 4357 (Help). Include your full name, the course you are enrolled
in and a detailed description of the problem you encountered. If you have
questions about the course assignments or other questions regarding the
course content you need to contact your instructor.
You might also find help 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for both
students and faculty at https://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4487
Assignments:
Your first assignment is to log into the class and read the discussion
topic for Chapter 1 and
prepare to participate in the discussion (prepare to post a written response
in the discussion area)
by the deadline on the schedule below.
That will be used as proof of participation in the course and
will prevent you from being dropped from the section for non-attendance.
For information regarding eCampus announcements and updates,
please visit this website: http://www.hccfl.edu/ecampus/
The eCampus website provides information pertaining to:
* TeleCourse broadcast changes
* WebCT updates
* College-wide announcements
Course Description: This course explains and discusses
how to present physical, documentary,
and scientific evidence in the courtroom. The course
will cover proper dress, speaking, listening,
and stress will be explained. The student will understand
how to present courtroom testimony,
especially in areas of scientific evidence. The course
will also include how to prepare
and present visual aids and exhibits collected at crime
scenes.
Course Objectives:
• Maintain good attendance and participation in the
online class and the weekly discussions.
• Show competency and responsibility regarding all
reading and writing assignments.
The class textbook is "Law for the Expert Witness"
Third Edition by Daniel A. Bronstein (with a blue cover, not green)
The list below divides the chapters by the class dates in order
to keep pace with the book
(and some of the last weeks double the chapters in order to complete
all chapters and finish the book).
Students need to check often (even daily if possible) for hcc email
and the class email linked on the class homepage because the instructor
often communicates
via emails sent at the same time to all students about class discussions.
The weekly structure for the class is:
1. From the opening homepage of the webcourse (it contains a photograph
of an expert gesturing at a poster-sized court exhibit) click on
"Discussions" in the left hand column marked "Course Tools" and
glance at
(but at this time do not reply to) the topic of discussion on the course
website for the corresponding
week(s)/chapter(s). You will post a reply later, after reading
the discussion topic and after
completing the other steps below, such as reading the book chapter
and viewing a powerpoint presentation.
2. From the opening homepage of the webcourse (it contains a photograph
of an expert gesturing at a poster-sized court exhibit) click
on "Learning Modules" in the left column
and then click on "Powerpoint Shows and Summary Lecture Notes"
and view the powerpoint presentation(s) for that week's chapter.
Each chapter will have at least one powerpoint show
(or a video that was created from the powerpoint with audio added).
If your computer does not have
powerpoint, and if you need a viewer to view the powerpoint shows,
then
please do a search for "powerpoint viewer" on the web to find free
downloads that will enable viewing. The videos also allow a student
to
pause the video, and to rewind and forward easily, with controls
at the
bottom of the video.
3. After viewing the powerpoint presentation or video, read the
corresponding chapter(s)
in the book for that week as listed in the syllabus (below).
4. Return to number 1 above and reply to the last reply that was
made.
If you are the first to reply, then you will reply to the instructor's
original post.
If you are not the first to reply then you will reply to the last
student
who replied. Do not start a "new discussion." Always hit the reply
button. In your reply put your answers/responses for the discussion
and
directly quote from the book's chapter for that week and also directly
quote
from the powerpoint/video for that week to support
your responses to the discussion topics. It is important to demonstrate
that the chapters in the book have been read and that the
powerpoints/videos have been viewed, so please quote/repeat the
book's
information and the powerpoints/videos in your posts. The reason
for
glancing at the discussions (step #1 above) is so that you can
begin
formulating in your mind your response (later) while you read the
book
and review the powerpoints/videos, to aid you in referencing the
book
and the powerpoints/videos.
When replying to the instructor's first post or in any first reply
by a
student, please quote the powerpoint show (or movie if there is
a
movie with audio created from the powerpoint) and also reference
any
links (e.g. web links) et cetera that are included in the instructor's
first post. In
other words, try to demonstrate an understanding of all of the
chapter's
items together and how they are related. That is what distinguishes
a
poor reply from an exemplary reply.
If the procedure above is followed, then it will enable an eventual
global view of all posts by all students. That will facilitate
students replying to
other students and enlarging the discussions.
Students can also do additional work by replying to additional
student
posts, so that another student's post is critiqued or explained,
and thus an
actual back and forth dialogue or discussion can occur. Students
can assist each
other by clearing up another student's errors or confusion, or
answering
another student's questions. That will impress the instructor.
Even if there is a day when the college is closed (holidays
etc),
students must read the corresponding chapters and
address those chapters in online discussions during that
week.
Students should not work ahead because then those students will
not be engaging
in discussions with other students who follow the weekly schedule.
(Although students can
clearly read ahead and prep discussion posts on their own and then
post them on schedule,
however, if such students fail to post in response to other student
posts, or fail to participate
in discussions with other students, then that will impact the grade
negatively. Students will not
automatically be failed for being a day or so late for some dates,
but it can impact the grade negatively.
Reading assignments and discussion posting assignments
are listed below
(Class date followed by chapter number).
(Thus the first class assignment (posting to the discussion board) should
be done before the second Monday (August 31).
However, if you miss a deadline, you should post late anyway,
and hopefully on or before Friday, or before the weekend is over. Posting
late is better than not posting at all).
August
24 start reading chapter 1, the syllabus, prep for class schedule,
and post to discussion area before next monday the 31st
31 2
• Demonstrate competency in class discussions, tests
and quizzes.
• be able to identify the components of the criminal
justice system and be conversant about each
respective responsibility.
• be able to discuss and outline the typical steps
and procedures in courtroom presentation
of scientific evidence.
• be able to evaluate the criminal justice system and
list various problems that may interfere with
the effective presentation of courtroom evidence and
expert witnesses.
• To write clearly about criminal justice topics.
Text Book and Materials:
The class textbook is "Law for the Expert Witness"
Second Edition by Daniel A. Bronstein
Hillsborough Community College also provides additional
support for students through its
SUCCESS CENTER (A Writing Center and Tutoring Service)
- Walk in or call for an
appointment.
Request for Accommodations: If, to participate in this
course, you require an accommodation
due to a physical or learning impairment, you must
contact the Office of Services to Students
with Disabilities. The office is located in the College.
You may also reach the office by
telephone at extension 7914 (BR), 7757 (YB), or 2209
(PC).
Grading System: grades will be based on the following
scale: A=Excellent, B=Good,
C=Average, D=Below Average, F=Failing
Writing will be assigned for every class (e.g. the
posted discussions) however, unless specifically designated, it
will
not all be individually graded and the instructor will
not write an individual
response to everything anyone posts in the discussions. There will
be spot grading as necessary.
For each chapter as assigned above corresponding to the class schedule,
each student will participate in
online discussions.
70% of the final grade will be based on the weekly writing assignments.
30% of the final grade will be class participation
(e.g. critiquing or correcting other students posts,
and more than a single post per chapter (such as engaging in back-and-forth
discussions about the topic with other students)).
There will not necessarily be any quizzes, tests, or midterm and
final unless the instructor
thinks that it is needed due to problems with the class weekly
discussions and participation.
Students might wish to think of the weekly discussions as weekly
quizzes / tests.
The class participation component of the grade includes discussing
the weekly chapter
topics with other students. Students will receive better grades
if they post more than once
in some weekly discussions and in response to another student and
not simply as a post
to the instructor's original post. In other words, "discussions"
should occur in the weekly
discussions, as opposed to posts in response to the instructor's
original post every week.
Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors including
affective and
attitudinal qualities such as: professional demeanor,
positive contribution to class, respect for
others, and interpersonal skills consistent with personal
accountability.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism of written work is prohibited
in any form. Any
infraction will result in the student receiving a grade of F for
the work (without option of
rewrite) and may result in the initiation of Hillsborough Community
College disciplinary
procedures. All further writings for a grade will be written in
the Test Center under supervision.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to participate in every
class meeting.
Consistent attendance is required. Each student is responsible for
the timely completion of
all assignments.
Privacy Statement:
Students using online formats for study at HCC do so in a respectful,
protected environment.
However, this learning environment may at times be viewed by faculty
(both current and
those learning to become online facilitators), Distance Learning staff,
and other experts,
who are working with us to maintain the highest quality online courses.
Please understand that this is not a secure, private environment.
DO NOT CITE WIKIPEDIA - Schools, colleges, and news media
warn writers
not to cite wikipedia as a source. A google search
for "DON'T CITE WIKIPEDIA"
provides many examples. Rather than a scholarly source,
wikipedia is an anonymous
bulletin board where anyone can delete or post anything.
