TO: Students in CJ 50

FROM: R. B. Taylor

DATE: 12/9/02

RE: Competencies assessment

 

You will recall that the syllabus, distributed on DAY 1 of class, stated:

You must complete at least three tests, and turn in all papers, and complete the post-course [competencies] assessment in order to be eligible to receive a final passing grade in the course.

This is still true.

But I am hereby offering you an option whereby you can complete the competencies assessment EARLY, rather than waiting until 12/20/02 at 11:00 AM.

To complete the assessment early and receive full credit you must satisfy all of the following conditions; failure to complete ANY of these conditions means you MUST show up on 12/20 at 11:00 to get the competencies credit and be eligible to receive a passing grade in this course:

  1. Answer all of the following questions below.
  2. Place all your answers in a typed email, or a Word attachment, and EMAIL to WENDY RUNKLE

    3. wrunkle@yahoo.com

  3. WRITE AT LEAST 500 WORDS. This means two pages, typed, double spaced, at 12 pitch.
  4. Be sure that your thoughts are ALL your OWN. Any plagiarism will result in an automatic zero on this assignment and a failing grade in the course.
  5. Write thoughtful, reflective answers. Rushed, mindless drivel may result in less than full credit.
  6. EMAIL YOUR ANSWERS TO WENDY RUNKLE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, 5:00 P.M., E.S.T. THIS IS A HARD, NO EXCEPTIONS PERMITTED DEADLINE
  7. Put your NAME and YOUR SSN at the top of your answers.

 

ANSWERS TO SOME QUESTIONS

Q: What happens if I send it to the wrong email address

A: You lose. Be sure you get it right

Q: Is there any backup address where I also could send the file?

A: Although I discourage it, if you must send the backup to tuclasses@rbtaylor.net

Q: Suppose I answer just SOME of the questions?

A: I reserve the right to give you ZERO credit, and to find you ineligible for a passing grade in this course.

Q: Do I have to write the same amount on each question?

A: No; if there are some questions that spark you to write longer answers, so be it.

Q: What happens if I miss the email deadline?

A: I will expect to see you on Friday 12/20 if you wish to remain eligible to receive a passing grade in this course.

Q: Suppose I write less than 500 words?

A: I reserve the right to conclude that you have failed to make a good faith effort to complete this competencies assessment

Q: Should I put my answers in an email attachment, rather than the text of the message?

A: YES, we would prefer that. If you do do that, then make the name of the file LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.DOC [being sure to use YOUR name not LASTNAME…]

Q: Are my answers graded?

A: No – if you meet the specified criteria, you receive full credit.

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ANSWER

  1. (a) BEFORE you took this class, what were your views about the purpose(s) served for society in the US, by the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections, at the local, state, and federal level)? (b) Can you target any SPECIFIC ways that your view about this system have shifted or intensified over this semester? (c) Is that shift linked to course content or activities, and if so, how?
  2. Describe how the insight you have had about one current event that either took place this fall, or that we talked about in class, or that happened to you personally or someone you know well, was sharpened or increased or somehow altered as a result of this class. Stated simply: how has your thinking changed and why? The event could be a major news item we covered (e.g., the arrest of the serial snipers, the anniversary of 9/11 and the Patriot Act), or a local event you heard about, or something that happened to you personally or to someone whom you know personally. Talk as specifically as you can about how your view of that event shifted and how that shift was linked to class material, either presented in class, or in class discussion, or in the readings. Be sure to clearly explain the event in question.