Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Ethical Issues in CJ (Online)

CJ 4200-30I

Course: CJ 4200-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 20580

Course Description

Ethical issues such as capital punishment, official corruption, deadly force, discretion, and deception by practitioners are critically examined. (Fall, Spring, Summer - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CJ 1010 and CJ 2500 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

Stevenson, B. (2014). Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption. One World.

Learning Outcomes

-Ethical Reasoning: Students will strengthen their decision-making skills and
apply ethical perspectives to various questions/situations.
-Critical Thinking: Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills regarding
pertinent ethical issues currently facing the criminal justice system.
-Communication: Students will strengthen their communication and writing skills
through various in class and outside assignments. While this is not a writing
enhanced course, there are writing assignments that will help you express
yourself through writing, as well as improve your writing skills.

Course Requirements

Research paper: 100 points
Eight quizzes: 85 points
Class participation: 50 points
Paper outline: 50 points
Film response: 50 points
Book analysis: 45 points
Four activities: 40 points

Course Outline

Week 1
May June 29-July 5
Welcome
Section 1
Chapter 1
Week 2
July 6-July 12
Section 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
-Activity 1 (July 12)
-Content Quiz 1 (July 12)
Week 3
July 13-July 19
Section 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
-Reading Quiz 1 (July 16)
-Outline (July 19)
Week 4
July 20-July 26
Section 2
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
-Reading Quiz 2 (July 22)
-Film Response 1 (July 24)
-Activity 2 (July 26)
-Content Quiz 2 (July 26)
Week 5
July 27-August 2
Section 3
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
-Reading Quiz 3 (July 29)
-Film Response 2 (July 31)
-Activity 3 (August 2)
Week 6
August 3-August 9
Section 3
Chapter 9
-Activity 4 (August 9)
-Content Quiz 3 (August 9)
-Paper (August 9)
Week 7
August 10-August 16
Section 3
Final Wrap-Up
-Reading Quiz 4 (August 12)
-Book Analysis (August 14)
-Content Quiz 4(August 16)

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

If you miss an assignment, make-ups will rarely be permitted. You will have ample time
to complete these. If you do, however, run into an issue, you need to let me know as
soon as possible. Coming to me at the end of the semester saying you forgot will not be
an approved reason to make-up the assignment. In some instances, assignments may
only be made up for partial credit. This will be decided on an as needed basis.
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.

Attendance Policy

Each video recording will include one or two “quizzes” throughout the video. These will
be graded as participation points. They will directly align with content from that chapter
recording in order to ensure you are paying attention but also allow you a chance to
apply some of the concepts.
There will also be a few required discussion posts.

Course Fees

$12

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.