Spring 2026
Correctional Systems & Practices
Approved: TNS 1/15/26 Correctional System and Practices (2313) ONLINE CREDIT SCH3 Semester Credit Hours MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a survey of institutional and non-institutional corrections. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and operation of correctional systems; treatment and rehabilitation; populations served; Constitutional issues; and current and future issues. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Describe the organization and operation of correctional systems and alternatives to institutionalization. 2. Describe treatment and rehabilitative programs. 3. Differentiate between the short-term incarceration and long-term institutional environments. 4. Evaluate current and future correctional issues. 5. Identify the Constitutional rights applicable to the correctional setting. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Gregory W. Clark Jr. M.S. Email: gclark@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-273-5909 (no calls after 8:00 pm and weekends). Office Location: Online Format Office Hours: This an online course. I am available by appointment. Please send me an email to schedule appointment REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Corrections in America: An Introduction, 15th edition. By Harry E. Allen, Edward J. Latessa, Bruce S. Ponder. ISBN 13:978-0-13-272677-1 Approved: TNS 1/15/26 PARTICIPATION POLICY Active, consistent participation is a required component of this online course and is essential for successful completion. In an online learning environment, participation serves as the primary method of attendance, engagement, and academic accountability. Participation includes timely and substantive engagement in all required course activities, including but not limited to: • Discussion boards (initial posts and required peer responses) • Assignments, quizzes, exams, and projects • Review of course announcements, instructions, and materials • Professional and respectful online communication in accordance with netiquette expectations Discussion posts and responses must be submitted by the stated deadline to receive credit. Late discussion posts or responses are not accepted and will receive a grade of zero. Posts that are minimal, superficial, off-topic, or fail to meet the expectations outlined in the assignment instructions may receive reduced or no credit. 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 READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 1 Module #1 February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 Practice Discussion/Assignment February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 Netiquette Assignment February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 Is Distance Right for Me- Test February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 Week One Discussion (1) February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 2-3 Module #2 (Chapters 1-4) March 6, 2026 March 6, 2026 Discussion (1 & 2) March 6, 2026 March 6, 2026 Quiz #2 & #3 March 6, 2026 March 6, 2026 Exam #1 (Chapters 1-4) Exam March 6, 2026 March 6, 2026 4-5 Module #3 (Chapters 5 & 6) March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 Discussion (4) March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 Quiz #3 March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 Course Project/Paper #1 March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 6-8 Module #4 (Chapters 7-14) April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 Discussion (5) April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 Quiz #4 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 Death Penalty Paper April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 Approved: TNS 1/15/26 Exam #2 (Chapters 5-14) April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 9-11 Module #5 (Chapters 15-19) May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 Discussion (6) May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 Quiz #5) May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 Course Project/Paper #2 May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 Final Exam May 1, 2026- May 3, 2026 May 1, 2026 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Discussions 10% • Quizzes 15% • Papers/Assignments 25% • Exams 50% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS For the latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc., review the Minimum Computer and Equipment Requirements on the LIT Online Experience page. 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). Approved: TNS 1/15/26 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 All coursework—including assignments, discussions, quizzes, exams, and projects—must be submitted by the stated due date and time listed in the course calendar. Late work is not accepted. Any submission received after the deadline will earn a grade of zero, without exception. Deadlines are intentionally established well in advance and are considered part of the course requirements. Students are expected to manage their time accordingly and submit work prior to the deadline. Technical difficulties, personal circumstances, employment obligations, travel, or failure to review course materials do not excuse late submissions. This policy is enforced uniformly for all students to ensure fairness, academic rigor, and consistency in the online learning environment. Students who anticipate difficulty meeting deadlines should reassess their readiness for an online course format before continuing enrollment