Introduction to Law Enforcement

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

SOC 320.01 INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

Prerequisite: Intro to Criminal Justice	Instructor: Dr. Zoran Milovanovich
Phone: (484) 365-8000, x3548	Office Location: DH 362

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is designed to provide students with understanding of fundamental principles of law enforcement. Substantial chronology of policing in this country, beginning with the pre-American experience and ending with recent events is presented. Discussion is focused on wide spectrum of law enforcement agencies, identifying most important characteristics of city, state, and federal police work. Services and importance of different police activities (patrol, traffic, criminal investigation) are explained. Particular attention is paid to current issues and trends in law enforcement

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Understand and identify important historical precedents in the development of law enforcement, discuss development of municipal police, county law enforcement, state, and federal police.
Discuss the specific functions and importance of these police activities: patrol; crime-specific enforcement units; traffic; criminal investigation; juvenile or youth bureau; community relations and crime prevention; vice, organized crime, and intelligence; internal investigations; police training; and police laboratories.
Discuss how the police have practiced discrimination in the past in terms of employment and promotional opportunities.
Discuss the growing concern and issues surrounding the problem of police brutality, and use of deadly force by the police.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Textbook assignments
Classroom attendance and participation;
Tests: four tests, including midterm and final exam.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Grade Distribution

Quizzes	25%
Midterm Exam	25%
Final Exam	40%
Class Attendance and Participation	10%

Recommended Grade-Boosting Strategy

Students are strongly encouraged to prepare and make an oral presentation based on critical analysis of a case or issue relevant to the field of study. Successful presentation has the potential to significantly boost the grade (up to 10% of the maximum score.

Oral Presentation

Evaluation of the oral presentation is based on the following criteria: selection of subject (relevant to assignment, interesting, appropriate level); content and organization (necessary components: introduction, development, supporting material, conclusion); language (clarity, vividness, grammar correct, oral style); delivery (body control, voice); attitude toward an audience (urge to communicate); the degree to which the class was involved; and overall effectiveness.

Percentage to Letter-Grade Conversions

A	95-99%
A-	91-94%
B+	86-90%
B	81-85%
B-	76-80%
C+	71-75%
C	66-70%
C-	61-66%
D+	56-60%
D	51-55%
F	00-50%

Tests

Students are expected to take all tests at the regularly scheduled time. If a student cannot do so, he/she should inform the professor before the test. If the reason for being absent is valid, the student will be given the opportunity to take a make-up test. Because of the difficulty of developing a second test, make-up test will consist entirely of essay questions. Students who miss test without informing the professor beforehand will not be permitted to make up the test unless they can provide proof of having had to leave the campus unexpectedly for a hospital stay or serious family emergency.

Attendance

Students in this class will be expected to adhere to the University regulations on absence from class. Students are advised to keep in mind that four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course, and that three tardy arrivals will be counted as one absence.

Academic Ethics:

Students are reminded that they must adhere to the standards of academic ethics of the University. These include standards of honesty for such activities as submitting assignments and essays, taking tests and examinations and doing project assignments. To view the full text of the University Approved Integrity Statement, click here.

REQUIRED TEXT

Samuel Walker, THE POLICE IN AMERICA, Mc-Graw-Hill College, 1999