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ADMJUS 155 - Criminal Investigation - Zachary Shroyer

Course:Criminal Investigation
Professor:Zachary Shroyer
Email:zachary.shroyer@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
Course Length:
  • 8 Week

Introduction

Greetings and welcome!  My name is Zachary Shroyer and I am pleased to be your instructor this term for Administration of Justice 155, Criminal Investigation.  I am a new instructor here at COC and am excited to get started this fall.  I began my law enforcement career in 1997 as a police officer and detective with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  In 2004 I became a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, where I served at the Houston Field Office, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, and the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.  In 2011, I joined the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, where in 2020 I became the Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office.  During my time with the KCPD I worked in patrol, narcotics, and SWAT.  As a federal agent with the State Department, I worked complex fraud investigations, protection, counterintelligence, and insider threat investigations.  With the OIG, my experience has centered on internal investigations running the gamut of fraud, civil rights violations, bribery, and other public corruption offenses.    

 

I hold a B.G.S. in Crime and Delinquency from the University of Kansas in Lawrence.  I am also a Certified Fraud Examiner and an adjunct instructor for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Training Institute.  I look forward to getting to know each of you and providing any help I can. 

Course Description

This is an online course.  This course is managed through Canvas, the College’s Learning Management System.  In order to take this course, you must have access to a computer, internet services, and a COC email account.  This course will be conducted using asynchronous methods of instruction.  All communications will be done through the Canvas modules, including announcements, emails, and discussion boards.  If necessary, phone conferences will also be available as an additional form of communication.  This course requires a great deal of discipline, organization, reading, and participation several days a week to be successful.  You will also need to check your COC email account regularly for important class instructions.

 

In this course, we will introduce the basic principles of investigation utilized in the criminal justice system.  This course will use the Socratic Method, which is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue designed to stimulate critical thinking to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions.  We will use case studies and case briefs to identify and analyze the relevant legal, social, and ethical issues presented.  This interactive approach is designed to enhance your problem-solving skills and to acquire skills as they relate to conducting investigations relying on fact-based evidence, legal reasoning, and effective written and oral communication.

What to Expect in this Course

Distance Education classes are as rigorous as regular classes and the time commitment is the same.  Your online classes are designed to require 9 hours of work each week, which is consistent with traditional courses.  Participation will be required, sometimes even more so than traditional classes.  This course will require a rigorous amount reading commensurate with any college level course.  Canvas allows for class discussion, quizzes, and exams.  Discussion boards will require thoughtful input, reflections, postings, and responses to your fellow classmates.  Quizzes and exams are often rigidly timed and will not allow sufficient time to research your answers.  It is highly recommended that you properly prepare and study the materials before attempting quizzes and exams.  You will also need to pay close attention to due dates and details.  You must complete all assignments in each individual module by the due dates for each assignment.  Late work will not be accepted

Types of Assessments

Mastery of assigned material will be graded using class discussion, quizzes, and exams.  Discussion boards will require thoughtful input, reflections, postings, and substantive engagement with your classmates.  

Textbook Information

Required.  Criminal Investigation, 11th Ed.

Authors: Karen Matison Hesss, Christine Hess Orthmann, Henry Lim Cho. Publisher: Cengage.

ISBN:  9781285862613

Other Relevant Course Information

Getting Started

 

Using Canvas.  If you are unfamiliar with using Canvas and need help logging in, you can view several tutorials online: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/onlineeducation

 

  1. Login to Canvas:  http://cv.canyons.edu
  2. Enter user name: 7 digit Student ID number
  3. Enter password:  student
  4. Follow the instructions in Canvas
  5. If you are having trouble getting into Canvas, call the helpdesk at (661) 362-3344 or by email at cvsupport@canyons.edu.

 

Note:  The Canvas course site cannot be accessed until the first day of the scheduled semester.

 

Rules of Netiquette

 

“Netiquette” is network etiquette, the do’s and don’ts of online communication.  Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal “rules of the road” of cyberspace.  This link, https://www.education.com/reference/article/netiquette-rules-behavior-internet/ provides a summary about Netiquette for your reference.

Required Online Skills

 

Internet Service.  You will need reliable and consistent internet access with an up-to-date browser, such as Firefox or Chrome.  AOL’s browser is often times not compatible with the Canvas platform.  In the case of technical internet problems, you may make use of the computer labs located on campus at COC.

 

Computer Skills.  A basic skill set in computer literacy will be necessary for this course.  You should be able to navigate the internet and should be able to create and handle basic documents, cut, copy, and paste, and manipulate basic email attachments.


Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 08/31/2022 Sub#: 145

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