Course Outline

CC102BR1- Fall 2016

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford Campus
F. Wayne Morris
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00-11:20 Classroom RCW002
Office RCE211
Note: This is a shared office and assignments slipped under the door may not be
received.
Office hours Wednesdays 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Note- additional hours may be
added if required. If these hours are in conflict with a class alternate times can be
arranged. If required,please email me for alternate times.
E mail: fmorris@wlu.ca
Note please indicate which class you are in, if emailing me and NO NOT use the
email on My Learning Space
Teaching Assistant- Kosta Barka bark1660@mylaurier.ca

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will examine the functions and structure of the major components of the
Canadian criminal justice system. Students will be introduced to the roles played by
various criminal justice organizations in the administration of justice. Topics may
include police, criminal courts and trial procedures, sentencing, and corrections.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Describe the structure of the Canadian Criminal Justice System.

Explain the roles of the major components.
Discuss how each component interacts with other components.
Discuss the future trends in the Justice System in respect to policy development.
Appreciate the complexity of the Criminal Justice System.
Present material in a well- structured and informative manner.

Please note: The Canadian Justice System is large and complex Although this course is an overview, we will be
covering a lot of material.
2016 F. Wayne Morris

The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to, lecture notes and slides, handout materials, examinations and
assignments, and any materials posted to MyLearningSpace, are the intellectual property of the course instructor. These materials have been
developed for student use only and they are not intended for wider dissemination and/or communication outside of a given course. Posting or
providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual material of lecture content to third-party websites violates an instructors intellectual property
rights, and the Canadian Copyright Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course unless specific permission has been granted
by the instructor. Failure to follow these instructions may be in contravention of the universitys Code of Student Conduct and/or Code of
Academic Conduct, and will result in appropriate penalties. Participation in this course constitutes an agreement by all parties to abide by the
relevant University Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of others during and after their association with Wilfrid Laurier
University.

REQUIRED TEXT

Griffiths, C.T. (2014). Canadian criminal justice: A Primer (5th Ed.). Toronto, ON:
Nelson Education.
E-MAIL
All e-mail communication must be conducted using the Wilfrid Laurier University intranet. I will endeavor to respond
to all emails within 48 business hours. Questions in respect to course material can best be discussed in person prior
to or upon completion of class. Do not use the My Learning Space email.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Term Paper -

20% due Nov. 2

Concept Chart

30% due Nov 30

Quiz #1

20%

Quiz #2

20%

Quiz #3

10%

Late submissions will be penalized by 3% per day, including weekends. Requirements submitted more than five
days late will be graded as zero.
TERM PAPER
Term papers are to focus upon the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Possible topics include:
1. Describe how one component of the Criminal Justice System functions.
2. Discuss role conflicts between two components of the Criminal Justice System.
3. Any other Criminal Justice topic agreed to in advance by the professor.
The paper must be double spaced, 3-5 pages in length, excluding cover page and references. It is to be presented
in appropriate academic style, using APA format and a font size not in excess of 12. You must use the text and at
least one other academic source. A marking matrix will be supplied. In class workshops will be provided. As
students will be graded for APA format and grammar you are encouraged to utilize the WLU Writing Centre.
A note on academic dishonesty As a former Criminal Justice professional and an instructor, I can assure you that
integrity is essential in your future careers. Cheating or plagiarism of any type is not acceptable. Some examples
include cheating on tests, submitting someone elses work as your own or submitting a paper you previously
submitted to another course. All papers are evaluated by turnitin for originality and any plagiarism will be
detected.
The Term Paper is to be submitted via Mylearning Space (MLS) as well as hard copy. Note that MLS only accepts
Microsoft Word so if you use another format it must be converted before you submit.

CONCEPT CHART
Students are to develop a chart that could be used for future reference. It is to include the concept/term discussed
and a brief explanation in your own words. The chart is to be arranged by general topic area i.e. alphabetically by
Framework, Police, Courts, and Corrections. Examples will be discussed in class. It is expected that classroom
lessons and the text will supply most of this information. Students are encouraged to create a framework and fill it
in from class to class. Do not leave it until the night before it is due. Previous students have found this an excellent
way of learning material. An A paper would have at least 60 concepts/terms. The Concept Chart must be
submitted by hard copy only.
QUIZZES
Three multiple choice Quizzes will be in class, focusing on material covered over specific time periods.

NOTE 1: Students with special needs are advised to contact Lauriers Accessible Learning Office for information
regarding its services and resources. They are also encouraged to review the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for
information regarding all services available on campus.
NOTE 2: Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be required to
submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
NOTE 3: FOOT Patrol [intended for courses offered at night] After class, call 519.751.7875 for a walk or drive
home - No Walk is Too Short or Too Long!

The following is presented as a guide. It is subject to change.

COURSE TOPICS / READINGS
Note:

Wee
k

Dates

Topics
Covered and
Activities

Sept 9 Introduction,
Overview,
Requirements
and
Foundations,
explanation of
the concept
chart.

Sept
14 &
16

Sept
21 &
23

Readings
(complete
d prior to
class)
Chapter 1

Assessmen Video/Gu
t
est etc.
/Requireme
nt

Structure and
Process of
Criminal
Justice
Crime, Victims
and the
Community

Chapters
2

Chapter 3

Sept 23
Guest
speakers

Sept
28 &
30

Structure and
Roles of the
Police and
term paper
workshop

Chapter 4

Sept 30
Term
Paper
Workshop

Oct.5
&7

Police Powers,
Decision
Making
Quiz #1 Oct

Chapter 5 Quiz
covers
material
covered to

7
Reading Week

date

Oct 25 Structure and Chapters

& 28
Operations of
7
the Courts and
APA/Grammar
Workshop

Nov 2
&4

Nov 9
& 11

10

Nov
16 &
18

11

Nov
23 &
25

12

Nov
30 &
Dec 2

The
Prosecution of
Criminal Cases
and
sentencing
Nov 9- Review
Quiz #2- Nov
11th

Community
Corrections
and
Restorative
Justice
Correctional
Institutions,
Release and
Re-entry
Going
Forward,
Summary,
Course

Oct 28
APA and
Grammar
Workshop

Chapter 8 Term Paper

and 9
due at
start of
class Nov
2
Material
Quiz
after
covers
Reading
material
Week
after last
quiz.
Chapter
10 and 13

Chapter
11 and 12

Chapters
14

Concept
chart due
to at start
of class

13

Dec 7

Evaluation
Conclusions.

Nov 30

Third in class
quiz

Quiz
covers
material
after last
quiz.