Correctional Continuum (CRIM 3361)
Fall Semester, 2020
Jeff Maahs
Course Description: Correctional Continuum is an upper division (junior/senior) class that provides students with a general overview of the United States correctional system. Corrections includes sentencing (and factors that influence sentencing), and the agencies and individuals charged with carrying out the sentence. The continuum of correctional sanctions in the United States is anchored on one end by community-based corrections (e.g., probation/parole), and on the other end by institutional corrections (prisons/jails). A host of intermediate sanctions (halfway houses, boot camps, intensive probation) fill the gap between these ends.
Objectives--students who complete this class should be able to:
1. Explain the historical development of all components of the corrections system
2. Describe the current social context of all components of the corrections system
3. Discuss the contemporary issues and concepts within corrections including:
- The effectiveness (e.g., cost savings, recidivism reductions) of correctional programs
- Institutional crowding, violence, and inmate adaptation
- The role of gender and race in corrections
4. Give a professional presentation to an audience. This includes:
- Collaborating with others (agreeing on specific duties, motivating unresponsive coworkers)
- Finding and summarizing empirical research
- Creating an effective power point slide show
- Presenting information to an audience without reading from a paper
5. Write using a formal academic tone with proper mechanics and style.
Course Textbook (Additional readings available on Canvas)
 |
Stohr, M.K., and A. Walsh (2019). Corrections: The Essentials. Third Edition (Los Angeles, Sage). |
| Assignment | CRIM 3361 Learning Outcome | Percent of Grade |
| Exam I | 1,2 | 20% |
| Exam 2 | 2,3 | 20% |
| Thought Papers | 1,2,3,5 | 40% |
| Final Project | 1-4 | 20% |
Grading Scale (Instructor may assign +/- within any category of letter grades)
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| 60-69% | D |
| 0-59% | F |
Course Policies and Procedures
Students with Disabilities:
It is the policy and practice of the University of Minnesota Duluth to create inclusive learning environments for all students, including students with disabilities. If there are aspects of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or your ability to meet course requirements such as time limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Resources to discuss and arrange reasonable accommodations. Call 218-726-6130 or visit the Disability Resources web site at https://umd-general.umn.edu/disability-resources for more information.
Academic Dishonesty(Cheating): Cheating on exams or assignments will be dealt with in accordance with University policies. Anyone caught cheating on an exam will receive a zero for that exam. Plagiarism refers to presenting another's words or ideas as if they were your own. It is cheating and thus an academic offense. The penalty for plagiarism is failure for that particular assignment. I encourage you to work together, but you must turn in your own work.
Attendance/Tardiness: I do not take attendance and there is no formal penalty for missing class (no points will be deducted from your score based solely on attendance). However, past experience with teaching this class suggests that a student's attendance is strongly related to his or her exam performance. Further, most of the exam questions stem directly from class discussions. Since attendance is not required, I expect those who attend to pay attention, act respectfully to myself and other students, and avoid high school-type antics like passing notes or holding conversations unrelated to class. Please turn off your phone and stop surfing/texting prior to the start of lectures.
Tours of Correctional Facilities: An important objective of this course is for students to see how corrections is done in Minnesota. To further this goal, the course typically involves tours of correctional facilities, including the local jail and at least one state prison. Unfortunately, this is not possible under the current circumstances. Suitable alternatives are currently being explored.
Missed Exams: All students are expected to take the exams on the scheduled date. If you have a legitimate excuse, you must notify me before the exam. Anyone missing an exam without prior notification will receive a zero for that exam.
Course Requirements
Exams: There will be two examinations. The exams will be essay-based. The midterm exam will be either in-class or a timed Canvas exam (depending on circumstances). The final exam will be submitted via Canvas.
Thought Papers: To encourage critical thinking about the articles prior to class, you will be required to complete SEVEN thought papers based on the readings. There will be at least nine thought papers posted during the semester. Each thought paper consists of 1 or 2 essay-type questions. The assignments are posted on the course Canvas site, and will be submitted electronically via Canvas. The assignments are due before class begins. Since the point of thought papers is to prepare you for class, assignments that are turned in after we have discussed that particular reading will receive only partial credit. As noted below, the assignments make up 40% of your grade. Please see the thought paper guidelines. for proper format and expectations. Students who struggle with the mechanics and style of writing are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Writer's Workshop.
The Writers' Workshop offers free one-to-one writing support to all members of UMD's campus community. Graduate student or faculty consultants will work with you on any writing project at any stage in the writing process. To make an appointment, visit d.umn.edu/writwork. or stop by the Workshop’s front desk; walk-ins are also welcome if a consultant is available. The Workshop is located in the Learning Commons on the second floor of the Kathryn A. Martin Library.
Group Project: Students will be responsible for creating a group project related to an approved corrections topic. Details regarding the group project will be annonced later in the semester.