Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Criminal Justice Policy (Online)

PADM 6720-70I

Course: PADM 6720-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12537

Course Description

This course explores the impact of crime prevention policies on crime rates while considering the diversity of crime and criminals. Students will analyze the effectiveness of policies designed to prevent retail sector crimes, substance abuse, and street rimes. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Graduate students only

Required Texts

Pfaff, J.F. (2017). Locked in: The true causes of mass incarceration and how to achieve real reform. Basic Books: New York, NY.

All other readings will be articles and will be posted on Canvas for you.

Learning Outcomes

There are a number of specific goals to be met at the end of this course.

-Critical Thinking: Students will be able to indicate their knowledge regarding how policies are created, modified, and evaluated.

-Problem Solving: Students will demonstrate their ability to assess current policies and provide informed suggestions regarding their effectiveness/modifications.

-Inquiry and Analysis: Students will effectively explore various issues within the current criminal justice field using academic evidence that results in informed analyses and conclusions.

NASPAA Universal Competencies/SUU Mission-Specific Competencies
  1)  To Lead, Manage and Apply Effective Public Governance
  2) To Participate and Contribute to the Public, Fiscal and Economic Policy Process
  3) To Solve Problems Using Analytics, Critical Thinking, Ethical Thinking and Conceptualize and Apply Best Practices
  4) To Articulate and Apply Public Service Perspectives Norms and Legal Standards
  5) To Communicate orally and in writing and Interact Productively with a Diverse and Changing Workforce and Citizenry

In particular, this course focuses on MPA competency #3.

LEAP Initiative:
Furthermore, this course is designed to implement two of the LEAP Initiative’s High-Impact Practices, as described by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) at www.aacu.org/leap/hips:

1.     Writing-Intensive Courses

2.     Common Intellectual Experiences 


Course Requirements


Grading Policy:

Grades will be based on the following assignments:

          Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses: 42.25%

          Writing Assignments: 31.5%

          Locked In Posts and Responses: 26.25%

          

Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Center on campus for assistance with their response. This is a great resource that is available to all students and should be utilized. Check out their website for more information.  http://suu.edu/hss/writingcenter/appointments.html

Final letter grades will be determined according to the following scale:   

          94%-100%      A

          90%-93%        A-

          87%-89%        B+

          83%-86%        B

          80%-82%        B-

          77%-79%        C+

          73%-76%        C

          70%-72%        C-

          67%-69%        D+

          63%-66%        D

          60%-62%        D-

          Below 60%      F

 
Discussion Posts:

Students are expected to write weekly discussion posts, as indicated in the syllabus.  Specific requirements will be indicated in the weekly assignment. These will be posted as Modules on Canvas.  

Students will (1) write initial responses, answering the presented question(s). Each student will have an assigned partner each week, to whom (2) you will respond to the initial post. Students will then (3) write a response post to the question(s) posed by their partner, which is based upon the student’s initial post.

Grades will be based on the quality of the posts, which includes incorporating quotes, research, etc., and answering the prompts thoroughly. Students will also have to follow the requirements in terms of number of words and sources (when applicable). 

Student Expectations:

As the instructor, I reserve the right to modify the class schedule throughout the semester as necessary. Schedule conflicts with guest speakers or outside tours may arise, and I will work to alleviate any issues as they are brought to my attention and make any and all necessary adjustments.

This is an online class, so you are accountable for any information sent via e-mail or Canvas, including assignment information, due date changes, or any other information I send in an e-mail.

Academic Honesty:

Academic integrity policy: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood SUU Policy # 6.33 and the current issue of the student handbook regarding student responsibilities and rights.

Course Outline

 Week / Topic / What’s Due

Week 1 Introductions Syllabus  

Week 2 / What causes crime? / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response to post

Week 3 /Understanding policy / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 4 / Drugs and crime / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 5 / Deterrence / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 6 / Incarceration  / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post
 
Week 7 / Writing Assignment 1 / Locked In Part 1 Preface through Chapter 3

Week 8 / Writing Assignment 1  / Locked In Part 1 Preface through Chapter 3

Week 9 / Victims / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 10 / Spring Break 
 
Week 11 / DNA Evidence / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 12 / Juveniles / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 13 / Writing Assignment 2  Locked In Part 2  Chapter 4 through Chapter 6

Week 14 / Mental Health / Initial discussion post, Questions to partner, Response post

Week 15 / Writing Assignment 3 / Locked in Part 3 Chapter 7 through Chapter 8 


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

Extra Credit:

Extra credit will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor throughout the semester.  

Make-up Policy:

If you turn in your writing/research assignments late, you will lose 1 point per day, up until 3 days after the assignment is due. No papers will be accepted after the 3-day period without approval by the instructor (and proper late penalties will be applied).

You are always more than welcome to turn in assignments early, and it is in your best interest to talk to me sooner rather than later regarding conflicts.

Extra help:    If you have problems with any of the material in this class then you may obtain help from the professor. Please do not hesitate to ask!

Attendance Policy

Attendance:    As this is an online course, your attendance will be measured by your participation and completion of course activities.


Course Fees

There are no additional costs for this class. 

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.