CMJ 3308, Mental Illness and Crime Course Syllabus
Course Description Mental Illness and Crime emphasizes the dynamics behind the correlation of crime and mental illness. With the growing population of those with mental illness within the system, this course is relevant to law enforcement, corrections, and courts personnel, as well as all other aspects of the criminal justice system. Students will explore myths and realities, as well as learn about specific disorders encouraged within the field.
Course Textbook Schug, R., & Fradella, H. (2015). Mental illness and crime. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Explain the correlation between crime and mental illness. Identify current issues, trends, and challenges mental illness presents to the criminal justice system. Explain the impact of substance abuse on mental illness. Explore major landmark cases related to mental illness and criminal law. Distinguish the major categories of mental disorders.
Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.
Course Structure 1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources. 2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in the unit study guides for Units I, II, IV, VI, and VII. Students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Unit Assessments: This course contains one Unit Assessment, one to be completed at the end of Unit I. The Unit Assessment is composed of written response questions. 7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units II-VIII. Units III and V contain two Unit Assignments. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 8. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 9. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.
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CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (
[email protected]) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services.
Unit Assignments Unit II Essay For this assignment, address the questions below in a two-page essay, using at least two outside sources. You may use charts, but make certain that you at least have two full pages of text. Avoid numbering your responses to the questions below; rather, format this assignment as an essay. You are telling a story of a case, by taking what you have learned and applying it to the following: 1. Refer to Chapter 3, and pick any of the disorders discussed. Imagine you have a client who possesses your chosen disorder. Explain how this person may act, think, or feel due to his or her diagnosis. Based on your reading, what crime is he or she most likely to commit, and why? Use your textbook and at least one outside source to back up your theory of the link between the disorder and the crime. Explain the person, his or her disorder, and the crime that was committed. 2. How is this disorder different from the others discussed in the chapter (in terms of symptoms and its link to crime)? 3. Now, imagine it is six months later, and this same person has entered the criminal justice system again, except this time he or she is also using a substance. Pick a substance, and explain how the substance and mental illness are related and how this may have caused the person to end up in the system yet again. Be sure to refer to Chapter 4, and examine the link between substances and crime. Also, find one outside source relating to your drug and the crime chosen. In this section, discuss your client, the crime that was committed, and how substance abuse was related. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit III Essay For this essay, you will continue differentiating between the various categories of mental illness. You can pick either a psychotic disorder or a mood disorder discussed in Chapter 5 or Chapter 6 of the textbook. Imagine you work in the criminal justice field, and you are responsible for training your department in either psychotic disorders or mood disorders. You are to create a handout containing information on the disorder, which should include the following:
symptoms and onset, different disorders within that category and how they are different from each other, suggestions on working with these disorders in the field, and prevalence rate.
Think about what you would find useful and what could help fellow practitioners. Use APA in-text citations for any statistics/figures. The handout should be a minimum of one page, not including the reference page. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
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Unit III Research Proposal For your research project, you will choose one disorder from the textbook and focus on its interaction in the criminal justice system. You may look ahead or choose from one of the disorders that has already been covered in the course. Your proposal should be submitted in a Word document, and it should be at least one page in length. Explain which disorder you are researching, your interest in picking this disorder, and your initial belief on the disorder’s link to criminal justice. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit IV Essay For this essay, navigate to the CSU Online Library, and locate two articles about two different anxiety disorders discussed in this unit. 1. On your first page, make a chart, and compare/contrast the symptoms of the two disorders you chose. 2. Explain what makes anxiety disorders different from the other categories of disorders discussed in previous units. 3. Using your textbook, reflect on the link to criminality between the two disorders. Write one page, using APA citations, explaining the link to criminality and your opinion on why people with these disorders do (or do not) commit crime. Your assignment should be created using a Word document; a chart should be present on the first page, and a minimum of one page of text should be present. Be sure to include a reference page with APA citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit V Essay For this assignment, you are to write a one-page essay in response to the directions below. Be sure to include your reference page with APA citations. Imagine you are a criminal justice practitioner (pick from a police officer or correctional officer). If you are police officer, for purposes of this assignment, you are the officer on the scene, responding to the crime and conducting the investigation and arrest. If you are the correctional officer, you are the one working with the person once he or she is sentenced. Address the following in your essay: 1. Begin by reflecting on how you feel working with someone with a sexual disorder, specifically pedophilia, and how it would impact you professionally and personally. Discuss why you feel this way and if you can professionally put aside your mindset regarding this disorder. If you believe you will have no issues, discuss why. 2. For those choosing to be police officers: How would you feel arriving on the scene, questioning people, and talking to the offender and victim? How would this impact the way you act? For those choosing to be correctional officers, how would working with this individual affect you? Would you treat him or her differently (whether on purpose or not)? How would it influence the way these individuals would be allowed to socialize with other inmates? 3. Discuss how pedophilia differs from other sexual disorders. Why do people commonly think of this disorder, but do not think of the other sex disorders we learned about in this unit? Explain differences and similarities. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit V Research Paper Outline Develop an outline for your research paper that will highlight the main ideas you will address considering your chosen topic. Each of your main ideas should contain four or more pieces of supporting evidence from scholarly resources. The outline should be a minimum of two pages in length along with an APA formatted reference page. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
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Unit VI Essay For this assignment, pick two personality disorders. They must be in two different clusters. Then, in a one-page essay, explain the following:
what each disorder is (symptoms, cluster); how these two disorders are different (do not just list symptoms); why personality disorders are different from other categories discussed in previous units; and as a criminal justice practitioner, discuss how these two disorders are related to crime and potential issues you see while working with these disorders.
Be sure to include a reference page with APA citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VII Essay For this assignment, you will write a two-page essay, addressing the issues below: 1. Explain how crime and mental illness are related from a legal standpoint. 2. Find three court cases which are related to mental illness and criminal law. Explain the issue and why it is relevant in the realm of mental illness and crime. 3. Identify issues or trends or challenges that you found within your three cases. Explore changes you notice. 4. Explain your standpoint on bringing mental illness into a person’s criminal background; is it relevant? Avoid numbering your responses; rather, format this assignment as an essay. Be sure to include your reference page with APA citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VIII Research Paper For the final research paper, you will submit a four page paper that researches the disorder you selected for the Unit III Research Proposal. The research paper will focus on the characteristics and recent research on the selected disorder. The paper will also explain the correlation between the disorder and crime, as well as how it interacts with the criminal justice system. The research paper should contain four or more pieces of supporting evidence from scholarly resources. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.
Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.
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Rubric categories include: (1) Assessment (Written Response) and (2) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.” Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Assessments and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.
Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Once you have completed Unit VIII, you MUST unsubscribe from the forum; otherwise, you will continue to receive e-mail updates from the forum. You will not be able to unsubscribe after your course end date. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers.
Grading Unit I Assessment Essays (6 @ 11%) Unit III Research Paper Proposal Unit V Research Paper Outline Unit VIII Research Paper Total
= 6% = 66% = 6% = 6% = 16% = 100%
Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.
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CMJ 3308, Mental Illness and Crime
Course Schedule
By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
Unit I
Myths and Realities
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 1: Myths and Realities: Introduction and Scope of the Problem Chapter 2: Abnormal Psychology Primer Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Assessment
Unit II
Neurodevelopmental Disorders/Substance Disorders
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 3: Disorders of Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence (Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Chapter 4: Substance-Related Disorders Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Essay
Unit III
Psychotic/Mood Disorders
Review:
Read: Submit:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 5: Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders Chapter 6: Mood Disorders Essay Research Proposal
Notes/Goals:
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CMJ 3308, Mental Illness and Crime Unit IV
Anxiety Disorders
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Course Schedule
Unit Study Guide Chapter 7: Anxiety Disorders Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Essay
Unit V
Sexual/Impulse Disorders
Review:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 8: Sexual Disorders Chapter 9: Impulse Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified (Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders) Essay Research Paper Outline
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit VI
Personality Disorders
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 10: Personality Disorders Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Essay
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CMJ 3308, Mental Illness and Crime Unit VII
Mental Illness and the Law
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Course Schedule
Unit Study Guide Chapter 11: Mental Illness and Criminal Law: Applications and Implications Chapter 12: Law and Control of “Dangerousness:” Applications and Implications Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Essay
Unit VIII
Mental Illness and Criminal Justice Policy
Review:
Unit Study Guide
Read:
Chapter 13: Epilogue on Mental Illness and Criminal Justice Policy
Submit: Research Paper Notes/Goals:
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