Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
The genesis, transformation, and day-to-day operation of criminal justice within our society; emphasis on interrelationships between specific stages in the crime-control process and the differences between U.S. and other criminal justice systems.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and WebCT, a computer conferencing program. WebCT requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
UNI students: 980:001; sophomore standing
Instructor
Richard Featherstone, Assistant Professor
I was born in Salem, Oregon and I grew up in the Pacific Northwest where I did a lot of outdoor activities like trout fishing and horseback riding. When I was an undergraduate I worked for about two years with the Salem, Oregon Police Department. I served as a police cadet, but quickly discovered that I enjoyed studying laws rather than enforcing them. You could say that criminal justice runs in my family. My father was a corrections officer, my oldest sister is a parole and probation officer and my other sister worked for the Oregon State Police. I also have a couple cousins who have done time in two different state penitentiaries. But my immediate family has always been on the law enforcement side of things.
I quit working with the police department when I got the opportunity to be an exchange student to Japan. That was a great experience, and I enjoyed talking to the Japanese Police officers I met there. In college I chose to major in sociology because I was interested in how human actions and attitudes were affected by group behavior. I was particularly intrigued by urban riots and courtship practices. I graduated with my Bachelors degree from Oregon State University. Since I love learning, I went on to earn two master’s degrees: one in Comparative Religions and one in Sociology; later I received a Ph.D. specializing in criminology from Purdue University.
My current hobbies are varied, but I especially enjoy reading about theological and historical issues. I have worked in many different positions but probably my favorite job (besides being a professor) was teaching English to professionals in Japan. I also enjoy outdoor recreation, running, and exploring Iowa with my wife, Kathryn. Kathryn is also from Oregon, so we are adopted Midwesterners.
I started working here at UNI in the fall of 2002. Some of the other classes I have taught include: Criminology, Sociology of Policing, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Justice, Sociology of Religion, Social Psychology, and Urban Sociology. I enjoy researching topics that explore the areas of religion and crime. Recently I had a book published which examined the topic of prison riots and presented a new theory for understanding how they get started. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about my background or interests.
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Grading
The maximum points assigned for each course requirement are:
| 10 points per Assignment | 120 |
| 25 points (Exam 1) | 25 |
| 25 points (Exam 2) | 25 |
| 25 points (Exam 3) | 25 |
| 25 points (Exam 4) | 25 |
| Total Points | 220 |
Grading Scale:
Textbook(s)
Schmalleger, Frank. 2005. Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu