Fall 2006

Criminal Justice 4320

Tuesday & Thursday:  12:15 p.m. ‑ 2:45 p.m.

Bay Hall 104

 

OFFENDER REHABILITATION

 

Course Syllabus

 

Dr. Dorothy S. McClellan                                                   Office Hours:

Bay Hall                                                                                Tuesday & Thursday:  12:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Phone: (361) 825-2697                                                      And by appointment

e-mail: dorothy.mcclellan@mail.tamucc.edu                              

website:  http://falcon.tamucc.edu/%7Ecrijweb/CJhome.html

                                                                                                         

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

The primary focus of this course is to teach techniques of offender rehabilitation and crisis intervention that have proved to be effective in dealing with individuals in correctional custody.  To that end, students will survey theories of rehabilitation, treatment, and correction of criminal offenders, in particular those therapeutic models and methods designed for reluctant, resistant clients. 

 

We will also touch on the historical development of the rehabilitative ideal and contemporary controversies surrounding it.  In an effort to develop a critical analysis of the response to crime in American society, we will look at the role of race, gender, and social class in the creation and enforcement of laws, and in the nature of punishment. 

 

 

REQUIRED READING

 

Anthony Walsh, Correctional Assessment, Casework & Counseling, 4rd Edition

Handouts provided by instructor and guest speakers

 

EVALUATION

 

Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of three examinations, an event response analysis, class participation and attendance.

 

DATE                                      TOPIC

 

August 24                              Introductions & Overview

 

August 29                              Goals & Purposes of Correctional Counseling

                                               

August 31                         Film: Canceled Lives: Letters from Prison

 

September 4                         Happy Labor Day!

 

September 5 & 7                Major Approaches to Understanding Offender Behavior

                                                Reading:  CACC, Chapters 1 & 2

 

 

 

 

 

DATE                                    TOPIC

 

September 12                       The self: Principal Tool of the Correctional Helper

                                                Reading:  CACC, Chapter 4

                                                                                               

September 14                       Guest Speaker: Rene bourassa

                                                Reading:  Founder, Anger Insight Resolution

 

September 19                       Interviewing & Interrogating

                                                Reading: CACC, Chapter 5

 

September 21, 26, 28          Fundamentals of Non-directive Counseling

                                                Reading:  CACC, Chapter 9                           

 

October 3                              Guests from jail Diversion Program

 

October 5                               Examination

                               

October 10 & 12                  Pre-sentence Investigation Reports

                                                 Reading: CACC, Chapter 6

 

October 17 & 19                  Directive Counseling: Reality Therapy

                                                Reading: CACC, Chapter 10

                                                Film: Project Strive

 

October 24                           Directive Counseling: Transactional Analysis

                                                Reading: CACC, Chapter 10          

 

October 26                          Directive Counseling: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches

                                                Reading: CACC, Chapter 11

 

October 31                          Actors and Students Engage in Crime Scene Discussions

                                               

November 2                         Strategies for Case Supervision

                                                Reading:  CACC, Chapter 7

                                               

November 7                         Juvenile Probation Representatives

                                                Adult Supervision and Corrections Department Representatives

 

November 9                         The Role of the Parole Department in Supervising Mentally Ill Clients

                                                The Role of MHMR in Supervising Mentally Ill Offenders

 

November 14                       Examination

 

 

 

 

 

DATE                         TOPIC

 

 

November 16                       Special Guests

                                                Group Counseling

                                                Reading: CACC, Chapter 12

 

November 21                       The Sex Offender

                                                 Reading:  CACC, Chapter 12

                                               

November 23                        Happy Thanksgiving!

 

November 28                         HIV/AIDS Counseling with Offenders

                                                  South Texas Substance Abuse Recovery services

                                                  Alcohol & Illegal Drugs & the Criminal Offender

                                                  Reading:  CACC, Chapters 15 & 16

November 30                         The Female Offender

                                                   Reading:  CACC, Chapter 20

December 5                            The Juvenile Client:  Re-socialization Training

                                                   Reading:  CACC, Chapter 19

                                                   Conclusions

                                                   Review for final

                                               

Schedule Subject to Change

 

Important Dates to Remember

 

October    5                           Examination

November   14                     Examination

November 30                       Event Response Analysis


 

OFFENDER REHABILITATION

Criminal Justice 4320

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

1.  EXAMINATIONS

 

     Three examinations, including final.  Examinations include multiple choice, true/false, short

     answer questions.  Make‑up examinations are reserved for exceptional circumstances.

    

2. EVENT RESPONSE ANALYSIS

 

     Students will be asked to prepare a report on the content of films, guest speaker 

     presentations, field trips.  This report calls for:

 

     1) A detailed, accurate description of the event, and

 

     2) An in-depth analysis of the impressions, thoughts, and feelings engendered by viewing or

         participating in it. 

 

     This exercise will help students develop the important professional skills of:

 

     1) Preparing clear, factual descriptions of events and individuals, and

 

     2) Distinguishing personal feelings, thoughts, prejudices, and concerns from

         accurate presentation of facts.

 

     In fairness to fellow classmates, late papers will not receive full credit. 

 

3.  ATTENDANCE

     Attendance is required.  The final grade will be lowered 2 points with each absence after

     the third. 

 

The final course grade will be determined as follows:

 

    1.  Examinations (3)                                       25% each 

    2.  Event response analysis                            25%

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students are reminded of the university's strict prohibition against cheating and plagiarism.  Punishment for same may include expulsion from the university and a grade of F. 

 

ACADEMIC ADVISING

The College of Arts and Humanities requires that students meet with an Academic Advisor as soon as they are ready to declare a major. The Academic Advisor will set up a degree plan, which must be signed by the student, a faculty mentor, and the department chair. The college's Academic Advising Center is located at Driftwood 203E, and can be reached at 825-3466.