| Syllabus College of Criminal Justice and Security CJA/363 Interpersonal Communications | Copyright © 2009, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description

This course prepares the student to communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms. The course covers best practices in investigative reporting, written reports and memos, and interpersonal verbal communication within criminal justice settings, including interactions with victims, suspects, incarcerated persons, government officials, staff, and civilians. Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document.
Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials Wallace, H., & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal communication: Methods for law enforcement (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: The Communication Process | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 1.1 Describe the process and components of communication. 1.2 Describe the flow of communication in organizations. 1.3 Identify how barriers to effective communication can be overcome. 1.4 Explain the role of types of listening in oral communication. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 2–4 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | Participation | All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions by posting 2 replies on 4 out of 7 days during the week. Once you have satisfied the current week’s participation requirements, you may post replies to previous week’s discussions. Make sure that your replies are both quantitative and qualitative in content and do not merely state in a couple of sentences that you “agree” or “disagree” with your fellow learner. Your reply should include new content that expands upon the response to your fellow learner and include outside sources to substantiate your viewpoints and claims. For further details on substantial participation replies please review the Feedback Icon message posted in the Course Materials forum. Please make sure to use the proper APA formatting for in-body citations and references. | 4 out of the 7 days | 2 | Discussion Questions | Due Day 3 (Thursday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #1 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #1: * What are the key components of communication? How do these key components affect the process of communication and its overall effectiveness? How might you improve the use of these key components of effective communication? Due Day 5 (Saturday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #2 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #2: * What role does listening play in oral communication within the criminal justice system? How do the various types of listening play a role in effective communication? Compare and contrast the most important listening types and why they are important in the criminal justice system. | DQ #1 due Day 3, Thursday DQ#2 due Day 5, Saturday | 1 1 | Individual Barriers to Effective Communication Paper | Write a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper in which you describe the following:The process of communication and its componentsDifferences between listening and hearing in communicationThe formal and informal channels of communication in criminal justice organizationsDifferent barriers to effective communicationStrategies that may be implemented to overcome communication barriersProvide real-world examples to illustrate your points.Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | Due Day 7, Monday | 10 |

Week Two: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 1 2.5 Identify the guidelines for effective speaking and presentations. 2.6 Describe the components of verbal and nonverbal communication in criminal justice settings. 2.7 Apply effective writing principles to various types of criminal justice communication. 2.8 Identify the parameters of persuasive writing. 2.9 Identify the guidelines for fact-based report writing. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 1 & 5–8 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Review Ch. 2–4 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | Participation | All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions by posting 2 replies on 4 out of 7 days during the week. Once you have satisfied the current week’s participation requirements, you may post replies to previous week’s discussions. Make sure that your replies are both quantitative and qualitative in content and do not merely state in a couple of sentences that you “agree” or “disagree” with your fellow learner. Your reply should include new content that expands upon the response to your fellow learner and include outside sources to substantiate your viewpoints and claims. For further details on substantial participation replies please review the Feedback Icon message posted in the Course Materials forum. Please make sure to use the proper APA formatting for in-body citations and references. | 4 out of the 7 days | 2 | Discussion Questions | Due Day 3 (Thursday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #1 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #1: * What are effective writing principles for criminal justice professionals in their respective communications? How does this apply to courts, police, and corrections? What distinctions may be made about the various criminal justice entities and the manner in which they prepare their written communications?Due Day 5 (Saturday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #2 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #2: * What is an example of fact-based report writing? How does this affect the initiatives of effective communication within the criminal justice system? What might happen if an emphasis were not placed on fact-based report writing among criminal justice professionals? Explain. | DQ#1 due on Day 3, Thursday DQ#2 due on Day 5, Saturday | 1 1 | Individual Verbal Communication Paper | Write a 1,750- to 2,100-word paper describing how verbal and nonverbal communication can affect communication in the following areas: Police situations (public announcement to the press)Courtroom setting (testifying)Corrections facility (employees, peers, inmates)Juvenile facility (employees, peers, inmates)Identify one communication guideline or preferred practice for each area.Include one to three references to support your findings.Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | Due Day 7, Monday | 10 | Learning Team Police Report | Resource: Minnesota v. Riff court case documents, or a similar court case’s documents that you and your teammates have access to. This case must be as complex as Minnesota v. Riff and must be approved by your instructor.Search the Internet for the Minnesota v. Riff court case or a similar court case. You may do a general Internet search, or you may search the following sites:United States Supreme Court, located at http://www.supremecourtus.govCase Law, located at http://www.case-law.us/FindLaw, located at http://company.findlaw.com/Identify and discuss the various types of written or oral communication presented in the case and the guidelines for each type of communication. Consider the prosecution, defense, witnesses, and the judge.Write an arrest-and-incident police report using the specified guidelines and parameters for report writing as outlined in the assigned readings. Assume the role of the investigating officer.The report must be factual, accurate, objective, and complete.Ensure the police report is as long as necessary, concise, clear, and mechanically correct.Format citations consistent with APA guidelines | Due Day 7, Monday | 10 |
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Week Three: Interviewing and Interrogation | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 2 3.10 Differentiate between interviews and interrogations. 3.11 Identify effective techniques for interviewing. 3.12 Describe the legal requirements necessary to acquire admissible statements. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 9–11 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | Participation | All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions by posting 2 replies on 4 out of 7 days during the week. Once you have satisfied the current week’s participation requirements, you may post replies to previous week’s discussions. Make sure that your replies are both quantitative and qualitative in content and do not merely state in a couple of sentences that you “agree” or “disagree” with your fellow learner. Your reply should include new content that expands upon the response to your fellow learner and include outside sources to substantiate your viewpoints and claims. For further details on substantial participation replies please review the Feedback Icon message posted in the Course Materials forum. Please make sure to use the proper APA formatting for in-body citations and references. | 4 out of the 7 days | 2 | Discussion Questions | Due Day 3 (Thursday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #1 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #1 * What are the components of an effective interview? How does an interview differ from an interrogation? How might you conduct an interview versus an interrogation? Explain. Due Day 5 (Saturday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #2 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #2: * What is considered an admissible statement within the criminal justice system? How do admissible statements affect the overall criminal justice process? Is there a better way to ensure acquired statements are admissible? Explain. | DQ#1 due Day 3, Thursday DQ#2 due Day 5, Saturday | 1 1 | Individual Quiz | Complete the quiz provided by your instructor. Submit your answers to your instructor for review. | Day 7, Monday | 5 | Learning Team Acquiring Admissible Statements Worksheet | Complete the Acquiring Admissible Statements Worksheet located on the student website. Submit the completed worksheet to your instructor for review. | Day 7, Monday | 5 |
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Week Four: Technological Communication | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 3 4.13 Explain how technology has affected communication. 4.14 Describe new technological communication methods and their appropriate uses within criminal justice settings. 4.15 Compare purposes of specialized databases in criminal justice. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 13 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | Participation | All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions by posting 2 replies on 4 out of 7 days during the week. Once you have satisfied the current week’s participation requirements, you may post replies to previous week’s discussions. Make sure that your replies are both quantitative and qualitative in content and do not merely state in a couple of sentences that you “agree” or “disagree” with your fellow learner. Your reply should include new content that expands upon the response to your fellow learner and include outside sources to substantiate your viewpoints and claims. For further details on substantial participation replies please review the Feedback Icon message posted in the Course Materials forum. Please make sure to use the proper APA formatting for in-body citations and references. | 4 out of the 7 days | 2 | Discussion Questions | Due Day 3 (Thursday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #1 in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #1: * What is an example of a new technological advancement that has increased the effectiveness of communication within the criminal justice system? How might the criminal justice system react if this new technology were removed immediately? What recommendations would you make for this new technology’s replacement? Explain. | DQ#1 due Day 3, Thursday | 1 | Learning Team Instructions Learning Team Discussion Question | Begin working on the Technical Communication Methods and Practices Paper and Presentation due in Week Five.Due Day 5 (Saturday): Submit a response to Discussion Question #2 in your Learning Team forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response under the DQ thread posted in your team’s forum and not in the Main forum. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question #2: * What databases are used in the various areas of the criminal justice system? How do these databases affect the overall communication efforts within the criminal justice system? How well do these databases meet the criteria set forth by criminal justice organizations with regard to effective and efficient communication? | LT DQ#2 due Day 5, Saturday | 1 | Individual Technology and Communication Paper | Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper that explains how technology has affected the communication capabilities of specialized databases in the criminal justice system.Include the following in your paper: A comparison of at least two types of specialized databases, such as the following:Mobile data terminalsAFISLive scanFacial recognitionIris scan * Overall positive effect due to new technologiesOverall negative effect due to new technologiesA discussion about which new specialized technologies you might want to use and why | Day 7, Monday | 15 |
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Week Five: Communication With Diverse Groups and Special Situations | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 4 5.16 Determine effective methods of communication for diverse groups. 5.17 Analyze the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on communication within the criminal justice system. 5.18 Identify techniques for addressing the challenge of language barriers. 5.19 Analyze communication dynamics occurring within incidents, emergencies, and conflict situations. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 12 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Review Ch. 5 & 6 of Written and Interpersonal Communication.Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | Participation | All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions by posting 2 replies on 4 out of 7 days during the week. Once you have satisfied the current week’s participation requirements, you may post replies to previous week’s discussions. Make sure that your replies are both quantitative and qualitative in content and do not merely state in a couple of sentences that you “agree” or “disagree” with your fellow learner. Your reply should include new content that expands upon the response to your fellow learner and include outside sources to substantiate your viewpoints and claims. For further details on substantial participation replies please review the Feedback Icon message posted in the Course Materials forum. Please make sure to use the proper APA formatting for in-body citations and references. | 4 out of the 7 days | 2 | Discussion Question (There is only one this week) | There is only one discussion question this week.Due Day 3 (Thursday): Submit a response to the Discussion Question in the Main forum and begin commenting on each other’s responses. Please post your response in the DQ threads. Your response to the question must contain a minimum of 200 words, which does not include re-wording the question as part of the response. Please post your response to the following Discussion Question: * What are some examples of ways law enforcement professionals may effectively communicate with individuals who have visual and hearing impairments? How did the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 affect law enforcement, particularly in relation to victims of crimes? Is there a better alternative to the way law enforcement and criminal justice professionals communicate with individuals who are protected by ADA? | Due Day 3, Thursday | 2 | Individual Press Release | Review the FBI’s top 10 news stories for the past week at http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel.htm to see how a press release in written. Write a 350- to 700-word press release about a current event or issue in your community. Consider the following as you write your press release: Effective methods of communication for diverse groups The effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 on communication within the criminal justice system Techniques for addressing the challenge of language barriersCommunication dynamics occurring within incidents, emergencies, and conflict situations | Due Day 7, Monday | 10 | Learning Team Technical Communication Methods and Practices Paper and Presentation | Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper, based on the assigned readings and additional resources, describing the process an officer should follow when communicating with another officer, the department, or the dispatch center before or after an incident. Address the following in your paper:Identify the technological tools that might be used in the communication process. * How might current technology be used to communicate more effectively within the various areas of the criminal justice system? * What future technologies, not currently in existence, do you foresee being used to further communication, particularly in interview and interrogation situations?Create a 7- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation to accompany your paper. Format any references used in your paper and presentation consistent with APA guidelines. | Due Day 7, Monday | 15 |

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