LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

CRJU 4800 Sect. 01 Summer 2009

Instructor: Dr. Hamin Shabazz

Phone: (678) 466-4560

Office: A/S 110L Hours: T TR by appointment

E-mail: HaminShabazz@clayton.edu 

Web: http://a-s.clayton.edu/hshabazz

ADA Statement:

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, http://disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

This course will explore the parallels that may exist between the system of Law Enforcement in South Africa and the system of Law Enforcement in the United States. Students will examine the history of law enforcement in South Africa and the progress it has made since its adoption of a National Police Service.

Course Rationale:

Southern Africa and the United States both experience crime. This course offers students the opportunity to compare and contrast the South African’s citizen perception of law enforcement with the citizen’s perception of law enforcement in the United States. It will also explore how these societies are facing the challenges posed by the rapid and unequal process of globalization in today’s world; the challenges posed by under and unequal development; and the long-term project of decolonizing the mind.

Pre-Requisite: CRJU 1150 with a minimum US grade of D

Crime and Policing in Post-Apartheid South Africa (Transforming under Fire), Mark Shaw, Indiana University Press

Each CCSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student’s academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU’s Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm

Student computers will be used in the classroom in this course. Therefore, each student will be required to bring their notebook computers to each class.

Format: Class will meet on the days scheduled unless announced otherwise. A significant portion of course work will include cooperative learning. Research in both electronic and print sources will be emphasized.

Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes:

The instructor will use a student-centered methodology. Teaching strategies will include lectures by instructor; small and large group discussions of required readings and experiences; films and videos.

Mid-term Progress Report:

The mid-term grade in this course will reflect the grade earned at the time the midterm grade submission is due. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W". Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar.

Course Work:

PARTICIPATION: The instructor will review and expound upon the major concepts in each chapter to reinforce students’ homework reading. Class Participation is through class discussions, group discussions and homework assignments.

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. On July 7^th, 9^th, 14^th, 16^th, 21^st, 23^rd, 28^th, and the 30^th all students will be required to meet in Wimba Live. These meeting times will be the same as our regularly scheduled class times. Wimba Live Classroom allows instructors and students to interact synchronously online. During these sessions, attendance will be taken during the beginning and ending of the sessions. You are responsible for what happens in class whether or not you are there. I may distribute handouts or make minor changes in the course outline. It is your responsibility to keep abreast of such information. Each absence after the third absence will lead to a deduction of 25 points from your total points earned. The three absences that are allowed should be used for illnesses and unexpected circumstances.  The only excused absences following the third absence will be for accidents or illnesses requiring hospitalization.

Make-up exams will only be allowed for excused absences which can be documented. There will be a 10 point test grade deduction for all exams which must be made up.

EXAMS: There will be one examination: This examination will either be objective multiple choice, fill in the blanks, true/false or essay and subjective (short answer) questions. This exam is worth 200 points toward your final grade.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: All students enrolled in the class will be required to conduct a extensive comparative analysis of two law enforcement systems. More specifically, students will compare the South African Police Services with one of the 50 state police agencies in the United States. This analysis must include; History, Annual Budget, Sworn personnel, Civilian personnel, Special Units, Educational requirements, Academy Training, Departmental Divisions, Students are also required to incorporate outside library resources for the research assignment. In addition, the writing assignment must include diagrams, charts etc. This thoroughly detailed comparative analysis will be worth 400 points.

Class Policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook , and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities. Therefore, regular class attendance is required. Students who do not attend regularly cannot expect to complete the course successfully. Absences will be excused only for serious personal situations that are verifiable and explained in writing to the instructor’s satisfaction. Also, students are expected to be in class on time. Students who must be late should inform the instructor in advance. Once it is necessary for the instructor to speak with a student about tardiness, each instance of tardiness thereafter will result in three points off the semester average. If you must leave early, inform the instructor prior to class.

Cheating will not be tolerated. Students who cheat will receive a 0 on the assignment and will be dealt with in keeping with the Student Handbook. All students must be aware of the penalties associated with plagiarism. In the past, this has not been a problem in my classes, and I do not expect it to be so in this course. However, be advised that cheating and plagiarism will result in a variety of official responses, including failure of the course and /or administrative action. Students are expected to know and follow all relevant portions of the Student Handbook. Do not bring children or guests to class. School policy does not permit children in the classroom, and children under the age of twelve must not be left unattended on campus. In accordance with college policy, eating food is not allowed in class. Soft drinks and coffee are allowed.  

You are asked to refer to the school policy with respect to cell phone use on campus and in the classroom. Prior to entering the class, you must turn off your cell phone and/or pagers. If you fail to deactivate your phone/pager after being reminded during the semester, I will ask that you submit a written statement to the department chairman to explain the need to have your telecommunication devices active during class at all times and permit him to make the decision to grant you a special exception to school policy.

The class will consist of lectures, current films, and if possible, guest speakers. Do not hesitate to let me know if you experience any difficulties in hearing or seeing the material being presented. Let me suggest at the outset that it is a good idea to sit close to the front of the classroom. If a student requires additional academic help or adjustments to afford equal educational opportunity, the student must inform the instructor within the first two weeks of class, or in the case of an emergency, within five school days of the occurrence. University policies will apply in the event that special services are required due to disability or emergency. Classes will be held according to the published schedule. During inclement weather, I suggest monitoring the announcements on local television or radio to determine if classes have been cancelled.

Students are expected to handle themselves professionally during class. Professionalism includes being prepared for class (e.g., reading the required material), arriving to class on time, and being engaged, active participants in the classroom experience. It is my intent to treat each student as an adult, and as such, require standards of professionalism that are highly consistent with the "real world." I intend to discuss controversial criminal justice/social issues in a frank and forthright manner because I believe they are very important. As professionals, each student must direct comments or responses to the class and myself in a professional manner. We must all respect the opinions of one another. I would also request that if you are offended by the comments of a fellow class member or myself that you come to me during office hours to discuss the problem with me personally. In many cases these instances can be used as valuable learning experiences and I will do my best to rectify any problems.

Other:

Consultation:

The instructor's door will be open for ALL students. I encourage students to visit the instructor early in the semester. If you are having problems, please consult the instructor immediately. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester to consult your instructor if problems do arise. It has always been my policy to maintain communication with my students, and thus I encourage you to communicate with me via e-mail or telephone. If there is a problem with understanding any of the lecture material or information presented in the text, please do not hesitate to contact me. There are no stupid questions

General Course Outline: The organization of the course will follow closely the outline of the textbook. Topics and reading assignments are as follows:

History of Apartheid

The Implementation of Apartheid

The Creation of the Bantustans

History of South African Police Services

Policing During the Apartheid Era

The Criminal State

The Politics of police change

Confronting the violent society

Assessing state responses

South African Crime Statistics

*This schedule is tentative, based on the potential for inclement weather and possible time constraints. Unless otherwise announced, the course content will proceed as indicated by the schedule as listed above