Spring 2025
Interviewing and Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professions
Approved: TNS 1/27/25 CJLE 1327 9G1 Interviewing and Report Writing INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Timothy Dinger Email: timothy.dinger@gccisd.net Office Phone: 281-421-4400 Office Location: Goose Creek Memorial HS Rm SW210 Office Hours: By appointment M-F 7:20am-2:50pm CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION In Person PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION Instruction and skill development in interviewing, note-taking, and report writing in the criminal justice context. Development of skills to conduct investigations by interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects properly. Organization of information regarding incidents into effective written reports COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: • Demonstrate techniques for conducting interviews in support of incident investigations; collecting information admissible in court using interview techniques. • Demonstrate appropriate note-taking skills • Create reports that convey all pertinent information REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals: By Larry S. Miller and John T. Whitehead. a. ISBN number is 978-1-138-28893-5 ATTENDANCE POLICY Students must sign in a minimum of three times per week online Blackboard. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified drop date as listed on the Academic Calendar. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. STUDENT EXPECTED TIME REQUIREMENT For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16- week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Week 1 Review Syllabus and Course Introduction: The Importance of Report Writing Orientation Textbook: Chapter 1 February 16, 2025 February 16, 2025 Week 2 Starting to Write Textbook: Chapter 2 February 16, 2025 February 16, 2025 Week 3 The Face Page and Narrative Textbook: Chapter 3 February 16, 2025 February 16, 2025 Week 4 The Narrative—The Continuation Page and Follow-Up Report Textbook: Chapter 4 February 16, 2025 February 16, 2025 Week 5 Habits that Make for Speedy Writing Textbook: Chapter 5 March 16, 2025 March 16, 2025 Week 6 Other Types of Writing Textbook: Chapter 6 March 16, 2025 March 16, 2025 Week 7 Reading and Correcting Reports Textbook: Chapter 7 March 16, 2025 March 16, 2025 Week 8 Simplified Study of Grammar Textbook: Chapter 8 March 16, 2025 March 16, 2025 Week 9 Avoiding Errors in Sentence Structure Textbook: Chapter 9 April 13, 2025 April 13, 2025 Week 10 Punctuation Work Textbook: Chapter 10 April 13, 2025 April 13, 2025 Week 11 Breaking the Spelling Jinx Textbook: Chapter 11 April 13, 2025 April 13, 2025 Week 12 Using or Abusing Words Textbook: Chapter 12 April 13, 2025 April 13, 2025 Week 13 Abbreviating and Capitalizing Textbook: Chapter 13 May 6, 2025 May 6, 2025 Week 14 Innovations in Criminal Justice Report Writing Textbook: Chapter 14 May 6, 2025 May 6, 2025 Week 15 Innovations in Criminal Justice Report Writing Online Writing Exercise May 6 2025 May 6, 2025 Week 16 Course Review and Final Exam Review May 6, 2025 Final Exam Online Blackboard May 7-12, 2025 (Until 11:30 AM on May 12) COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • 3 Exams + 1 Final: 20 % • Online Writing Exercise: 35 % • Text/PowerPoint Assignments: 35 % • Participation: 5 % • Attendance: 5 % GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F LIT does not use +/- grading scales ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Students found to be committing academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, or collusion) may receive disciplinary action. Students need to familiarize themselves with the institution’s Academic Dishonesty Policy available in the Student Catalog & Handbook at http://catalog.lit.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=80#academic-dishonesty. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. AI STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into the classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. EXAMS – All Exams will be administered on BLACKBOARD. 2. ASSIGNMENTS – All Assignments will be submitted via BLACKBOARD. 3. WRITING EXERCISE – End of course Writing Exercise will be submitted via BLACKBOARD. 4. Participation/Attendance – Participation is assessed through assignments or exercises completed online. Activities may consist of class assignments or individual analysis of information from various sources including the text. However, six unexcused absences will result in a 50% grade reduction in the Participation/Attendance Grade. 5. The Course Calendar is subject to change without prior notice.