Syllabus Checklist Snapshot
Approved: TNS 01/6/26 Domestic & International Security Threat Groups (CJSA 1372) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION An overview of the growth of gangs in the prison systems in the United States. Includes the reasons for the gangs and their activities, methods of identifying gang members, and methods of reducing gang membership and violence. A study of current philosophies, weapons, tactics, funding sources, computer uses, Communications, Internet use, and other technologies used to operate covertly by domestic security threat groups. Analysis of international security threat groups as well as its origins, problems defining gangs, and the challenges gangs pose to United States policy makers and law enforcement agencies. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Classify the different gangs in the prison systems in the United States and Texas 2. Identify the characteristics of prison gangs 3. List methods of reducing gang membership and violence. 4. Name domestic security threat groups 5. Present a report profiling one or more security threat groups 6. List three courses of action domestic security threat groups may take to achieve their goals. 7. Document different international groups and evaluate their impact on United States policy makers and law enforcement agencies 8. Identify objectives and tactics of key international gangs 9. Discuss countermeasures available to U.S. agencies fighting security threat groups. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Vernon Clay Email: vjclay@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-790-1631
Office Location: Virtual Office Hours: By appointment REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Street Gangs Throughout the World; Third Edition by Herbert C. Covey (Author) • ISBN-13 : 978-0-398-09372-3 ATTENDANCE POLICY Students must log-in to the course at least three times per week to complete assignments and participate in discussions. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified date as listed in the College Calendar on the Student Success web page. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) DISCUSSIONS (Due on this Date) 1 Introductory Discussion Introductory Assignment Introductory Test 02/20/2026 02/20/2026 02/21/2026 2 Prison Gangs 02/27/2026 02/28/2026 3 Chapters 1 & 2 03/06/2026 03/07/2026 4 Spring Break 03/09-13/2026 5 Chapter 3 03/20/2026 03/21/2026 6 Chapter 4 03/27/2026 03/28/2026 7 TEST 1 04/04/2026 8 Chapter 5 04/10/2026 04/11/2026 9 Chapter 6 04/17/2026 04/18/2026 10 Chapter 7 04/24/2026 04/25/2026 11 TEST 2 05/02/2026 12 Course Project 05/06/2026
COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Tests 30% • Assignments 30% • Discussions 30% • Course Project 10% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F 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.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 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 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.You must log onto Blackboard and access this course a minimum of three times per week. 2. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. 3. Late assignments will be accepted with 10-point penalty for the first week then a zero unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. 4. Internet Usage – Students are expected to use proper net etiquette while participating in course emails, assignment submissions, and online discussions. 5. Additional class policies as defined by the individual course instructor