TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CLASS SYLLABUS

CRJ-125

Instructor: Professor Rob Garlock

Web-based class

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Overview of legal careers and law schools.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To assist student to answer the following questions:

1. Why seek a career in law?

2. What is being an attorney really like?
3. What is the law school experience really like/
4. How do issues like GPA, LSAT, and other admission criteria impact possible
admission to law school?
5. How do you finance a legal education?

How do I evaluate and select the law school that is best for me?

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Textbooks: ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA Approved Law Schools, Law School
Admission Council & American Bar Association

READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Student are required to read both text and to use them in their assignments. Suggested
reading dates are in the class calendar.

ASSIGNMENTS:

There five Critical Thinking Essays

There is one Research Project on a law school of the student’s choice. If students are
unable to choose a school, the default choice is the McGeorge Law of Law at University
of the Pacific or Boyd Law School at UNR.

RESEARCH PROJECT:

After reading Chapters 5, 6, & Appendixes A, C, D, E of So You Want to Be A Lawyer

and Chapters 11, 12, & 13 of Official Guide to ABA-Appoved Law Schools write a
Research Paper about one law school that you might want to attend. The paper should
be a comprehensive overview of admission standards, cost, location, living conditions,
reputation, quality of education, specialties offered, and other pertinent information. This
paper is required to have a minimum of 1,500 words, use proper English (any style you
wish MLA, APA, Chicago, AP) with at least two additional outside references (books,
articles, websites) about the law school properly cited in the paper.

If students are unable to choose a law school, the default assignment is the McGeorge
Law of Law at University of the Pacific or Boyd Law School.

The research project is due date is in the class calendar and MUST be e-mailed through
web site.

FINAL GRADES:

Grades are not "given" by the instructor, they are earned by the student's academic
performance. Grades will be based on points earned on the exams and research paper.
Grades will weighted as followed and then scored on a class "curve".

Critical Thinking Essays 5 x 25 points each 125 points

Research Paper 100 points

TOTAL 225 points

GRADING:

A >93

A- >90

B+ >87

B >83

B- >80

C+ >77

C >73

C- >70

D+ >67

D >63

D- >60

F <59

Important Note: Effective the Spring semester 2008, the W is no longer a grade option,
meaning that it shall not be given to a student who attends a class but fails to meet
course requirements. In that case, the grade or mark earned (A – F or S/U) must be
given. The W mark shall indicate only that the student did not complete a course and
must be initiated by the student formally dropping the course. Students may withdraw
themselves from classes on or prior to the cut-off date of September 22, 2010.

ADA ACCOMMODATION:

Qualified students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations
to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community
College. For assistance and clarification of services provided under the ADA, contact
the Disabled Student Services Office, 673-7277 or 673-7286.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
A student has an obligation to exhibit honesty in carrying out academic assignments. A
student would be in violation of this obligation if the student cheats on a test or
plagiarizes. Violations of academic integrity will be addressed per the criteria in the
college catalog.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT:

TMCC does not tolerate sexual harassment. Any student with difficulties relating to
sexual harassment should bring the matter to the attention of the TMCC Affirmative
Action Officer.