Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Street-Level Bureaucrats: Interactions Between CJUS and SocWk (Face-to-Face)

CJ 3250-01

Course: CJ 3250-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12430

Course Description

This course examines the correlation between the criminal justice and social work/family services fields. Social problems that frequently manifest in both fields are addressed with a focus on the complication of addressing the problems within the context of the differing philosophies and bureaucracies of both fields. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): None Equivalent Course(s): FLHD 3250

Required Texts

Cops, Teachers, Counselors: Stories from the Front Lines of Public Service: 7th 
Edition  (2003) by Steven Maynard-Moody and Michael Musheno. University of Michigan Press.  ISBN:  978-0472068326

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between the criminal justice and social work/family services fields.

  2. Students will understand the attitudes of and dynamics between law enforcement professionals and family service professionals in order to adequately support  both professionals and citizens/clients involved with both systems.

  3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of public policy within the context of the crossover between the fields of criminal justice and social work/family services.

  4. Students will be able to identify social issues that present in both the criminal justice and social work/family services field.

  5. Students will be prepared to participate in future collaboration between the fields of criminal justice and social work/family services.

Course Requirements

1. Canvas Announcements
Please pay close attention to Canvas Announcements. These announcements are used to communicate important course information, and you are accountable for all information provided through them. You may find it helpful to enable notifications for Canvas Announcements.

2. Emotional Safety
Due to the emotionally and psychologically vulnerable content discussed throughout this course, all participants are expected to contribute to an environment of emotional safety.

If a student engages in emotionally unsafe comments or behavior, the instructor will provide feedback as a warning and invite the student to discuss what made the behavior emotionally unsafe. Repeated behavior will result in a referral to campus services.

The use of derogatory language or terms when referring to individuals or groups is considered emotionally unsafe behavior—even if no one from the referenced group is present. The same procedures will apply to derogatory language as to any other emotionally unsafe behavior. If you are unsure whether a term is derogatory, avoid slang and use professional, inclusive, and respectful language.

If you find yourself emotionally overwhelmed by course content, the University Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) is available as a resource.
 CAPS Phone Number: 435-865-8621

3. Student Responsibility for Learning
As a student in this course, you are responsible for the content presented and for your own learning. If you need help, please ask. This includes questions about course material, assignments, expectations, or concepts discussed in class. The instructors are a resource to you; however, we cannot help if you do not communicate that you need assistance.

4. Assignment Deadlines
All assignments are due by midnight on the listed due date, unless otherwise noted.

5. Late Work Policy
Assignments may be submitted early. Late work will not be accepted except in the case of a true emergency (e.g., emergency surgery, natural disaster, death of a family member).

If you experience an emergency that may affect your ability to submit work on time, you are expected to communicate with the instructor as early as reasonably possible. This policy applies to all graded assignments, including discussions and module completion. Communication in advance does not guarantee acceptance of late work, but circumstances will be considered.

6. Academic Integrity and Use of AI
All submitted work must be created and developed by you. If you use AI tools, they must be used as a resource, not as a replacement for your own work, and must be properly cited.

If it is discovered that AI was used without proper citation or was used to generate work submitted as your own, SUU Policy 6.33 (Academic Integrity) will be followed.

7. APA Format and Sources
All documentation must follow APA 7th Edition formatting. When using outside sources, students are expected to rely on credible sources. Wikipedia is not permitted as a reference in this course.

Students pursuing education in the social sciences may find it beneficial to purchase an APA manual.

8. Paper Formatting Requirements
All papers must be typed in Arial or Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins.

9. Writing Quality and Instructions
Grammar and adherence to instructions matter and will affect your grade. Please follow page limits carefully. Once the page limit is reached, grading will stop, and content beyond that point will not be considered.

10. Syllabus Quiz (25 points)
The syllabus quiz serves as your commenced attendance assignment. To receive full credit, it must be completed by Thursday, January 9, at midnight. The quiz remains available until Wednesday, January 15. Failure to complete it by January 15 may result in being dropped from the course. The quiz is open-note.
Due: January 9

11. Pop Quizzes (50 points total)
There will be six pop quizzes throughout the semester, worth 10 points each. Quiz formats may include true/false, multiple choice, and essay questions. Content will cover assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, activities, and guest speakers.

Pop quizzes cannot be made up if missed. The lowest score will be dropped. Use absences wisely.

12. Attendance (60 points)
Attendance will be taken randomly seven times during the semester. You will receive full points for being present and zero points if absent. These points cannot be made up. The lowest attendance score will be dropped.

13. Interviews (50 points)
Students must interview a professional working within the criminal justice system (e.g., law enforcement officer or attorney) and a social worker or family services professional whose work intersects with criminal justice.

Write a paper (up to 5 pages) describing what you learned about the intersection of these two fields.
Due: February 21

14. Reflection Papers (140 points total)
Reflection papers replace exams and assess how you are processing course content. There will be seven reflection papers, worth 20 points each, due throughout the semester.

These papers should reflect your learning from readings, class discussions, and guest speakers related to social work/family services and criminal justice. Full credit requires clear evidence of class engagement and completion of assigned readings.
 Due dates are listed in Canvas.

15. Case Study Presentation (105 points total)
You will work with a partner to find or create a case study involving an issue relevant to both social work/family services and criminal justice. One partner will address the issue from the social work perspective and the other from the criminal justice perspective.

Your presentation must address the five course learning objectives and propose an intervention plan.

A minimum of four sources is required, including at least one academic source. Other sources may include professionals, class materials, public policy, or credible non-academic sources. If you are unsure about source credibility, ask in advance.

Multiple deadlines apply—see Canvas for details.

16. Final Reflection Paper (50 points)
In place of a comprehensive final exam, write a 3–5 page reflection paper discussing what you have learned about the intersection of criminal justice and social work/family services throughout the semester. Reviewing prior reflection papers may be helpful.

Course Outline

Course Schedule

Week 1 (January 7)

Topic: Introduction

  • January 9: Syllabus Quiz due

Week 2 (January 13 & 15)

Topic: Trauma & Basic Human Needs

  • Critical Thinking Skills (Dr. Vallett)

  • Reading: Acknowledgements and Chapter 1

  • January 15: Guest Speaker – Mike Berg

  • January 17: Reflection Paper #1 due

Week 3 (January 20 & 22)

Topic: Homelessness and Poverty

  • Reading: Chapter 2

  • January 20: Guest Speaker – Cheryl Swapp

  • January 22: Guest Speaker – Donna Kelly

  • January 23: Case Study Presentation topic and partner’s name due

Week 4 (January 27 & 29)

Topic: Juvenile Delinquency

  • Reading: Chapter 3

  • Field Trip: SUU Day on the Hill

  • January 29: Guest Speaker – Matt Dumont (Salt Lake County Jail)

  • January 31: Reflection Paper #2 due

Week 5 (February 3 & 5)

Topic: Probation, Parole, and Correctional Institutions

  • Reading: Chapter 4

  • February 3: Field Trip – SUU Day on the Hill

  • February 3: Day on the Hill makeup assignment due

  • February 5: Recovery Court Panel

Week 6 (February 10 & 12)

Topic: Substance Abuse and Recovery Courts

  • Reading: Part II Introduction and Chapter 5

  • February 12: Guest Speaker – Amber McFee, Family Law Attorney

  • February 14: Reflection Paper #3 due

Week 7 (February 17 & 19)

Topic: Child Protection

  • Reading: Chapter 6

  • February 17: Guest Speaker – CJC

  • February 19: Guest Speaker – Cody Stratton (JJYS)

  • February 21: Interview Assignment due

  • February 21: Meeting with Professors due

Week 8 (February 24 & 26)

Topic: Domestic Violence

  • CPS and Law Enforcement (on different days)

  • Reading: Chapter 7

  • February 28: Reflection Paper #4 due

Week 9 (March 3 & 5)

Topic: Veterans

  • Reading: Part III Introduction and Chapter 8

  • March 3: Guest Speaker – VA Panel

  • March 5: Proposed Legislation Analysis Activity

  • March 7: Presentation outline due

Spring Break: No classes (March 9–13)

Week 10 (March 17 & 19)

Topic: De-Escalation and Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT)

  • Reading: Chapter 9

  • March 18: Guest Speaker – Justin Chappell

  • March 20: Reflection Paper #5 due

Week 11 (March 24 & 26)

Topic: Perception and Incentives of Public Policy

  • Reading: Chapter 10

  • March 24: Guest Speaker – AP&P

  • March 26: Guest Speaker – Jeremy Christiansen

Week 12 (March 31 & April 2)

Topic: Dynamics among Employers and Supervisory Relationships

  • Reading: Chapter 11

  • March 31: No class – Festival of Excellence

  • April 2: Guest Speaker – Sydnee Alton

  • April 3: Reflection Paper #6 due

Week 13 (April 7 & 9)

Topic: Ethics

  • Reading: Chapter 12

  • Presentations

  • April 7: Guest Speakers – Nateasa McGuire & Trevin Johnson

  • April 10: Guest Speaker – Roger Carter

Week 14 (April 14 & 16)

Topic: Mental Health of Officers

  • Presentations

  • April 14: Group Presentations

  • April 16: Guest Speaker – Chief Adams

  • April 17: Reflection Paper #7 due

Week 15 – Finals Week

  • Final Reflection Paper due: April 23 by 5:00 p.m.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work will not be accepted except in the event of a true emergency i.e. emergency surgery, natural disaster, death of a family member, etc…  It is the expectation of these instructors that you communicate as early in the process as is reasonable and possible if you experience an emergency that will result in late work.  This applies to all assignments that will receive a grade including course discussions as well as completion of modules.  The only exception to this is if you communicate with the instructor in advance.  This does not guarantee your late work will be accepted.  The instructors will consider the circumstances if you plan ahead and communicate ahead.


Attendance Policy

Attendance will be randomly taken 7 times throughout the semester.  You will receive full points for being in class and 0 points if you are not.  There will not be an opportunity to make these points up.  Because we understand that life happens, the lowest score will be dropped.  Use any missed days from class wisely.


Course Fees

N/A

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.