Syllabus

Introduction

Ethics and Integrity 101 examines various topics in the criminal justice context. You will be challenged as you engage in the Master Trainer on-line program as you aspire to become a subject matter expert and teach ethics and integrity utilizing Problem Based Learning as a classromom strategy.

This course is offered to individuals interested in becoming Master Trainers in ethics and integrity for the United States Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.  Previously you successfully completed the PBL course and will apply acquired strategies as the foundation for this Ethics and Integrity course.

The ultimate outcomes and success of the program will be exemplified through the demonstration of master teaching skills, an in-depth knowledge of ethics and integrity and the ability to facilitate productive instruction in your classroom.  The overall goal of the program is to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to demonstrate your ability to teach ethics and integrity in a problem based, adult learning classroom environment.

Course Objectives

This course gives you the opportunity to engage in stimulating and highly interactive discussions about your previous classroom instructional experiences. Important is the impact your teaching strategies have on both the content presented in your classroom as well as the long-term effect on the student’s ability to synthesize newly presented material with their existing knowledge.

The overarching objectives toward the attainment of the Ethics and Integrity Master Trainer status include the ability to:

• Demonstrate the ability to teach ethics utilizing the problem based learning strategy;
• Demonstrate an understanding of how morals and the law relate to one another;
• Indicate the impact ethical behavior has on successful policing;
• Demonstrate the difference between ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate depth of knowledge relative to the theories of ethics and integrity, ethical frameworks and decision making and critical thinking through the application of concepts to solve ethical dilemmas;
• Examine cultural influences and how they relate to the ability to engage residents in the process of community policing;
• Explain how morals and the law relate to one another;
• Apply Kohlberg’s six stages of moral development as it applies to policing;
• Identify factors that lead to unethical behavior; and,
• Identify one’s own decision making processes.

Course Strategy

To successfully complete this course you will need to complete the three on-line modules and final project at a minimum of Proficient Achievement as detailed in the Course Module Expectations and Final Project Expectations. The modules are:

Module 1: History and Overview of Ethics and Integrity

Module 2: Ethical Frameworks, Moral Development and Moral Reasoning in Decision Making

Module 3: The Flourishing Environment: The Application of Ethics and Integrity in Law Enforcement

Your final project should be scholarly and demonstrate the tenets of ethics and integrity in the law enforcement, community policing environment. You will examine and judge the values and various aspects of moral development and how they affect police services.  You will give thought about the ethical frameworks as they relate to the profession.

Course participation is self-paced placing the learner accountable for learning content and skills. You will work independently and with members of your group to fulfil the objectives of the course as outlined in the Course Expectations.  The Course Expectations contain measureable activites to be applied in the classroom.

The ultimate outcomes and success of the program will be exemplified through the demonstration of master teaching skills, an in-depth knowledge of ethics and integrity, problem solving, an understanding of ethically-based policing and the ability to facilitate productive community engagement.  Ultimately, the Master Trainer will understand the communities’ perceptions of police and empower the police to respect and internalize the manner in which you interact and collaborate with the residents you serve.

Refer to the Course Expectation for the measureable activities.

The material in this course will be studied using a variety of approaches, such as: on-line research; various media; group discussions; personal essays; and, case studies. Using these approaches you will demonstrate the syntheses of various materials with problem based learning strategies for your eventual use in the classroom environment. Learners will have the opportunity to communicate with subject matter experts as the course unfolds.  Learners will be required to post periodic thoughts, ideas and responses to Research Questions and other inquiries on the Discussion Board. While the program is self-paced, contact with members of your group is significant to your learning. A subject matter expert will occasionally monitor the dialogue to assist you with content-specific issues. Additionally, you will be able to contact your subject matter expert via e-mail as you deem necessary.

Contemporary technology will be used to create an environment that is interactive and not only examines the topics identified, but provides you with the opportunities to think introspectively.  All materials for the course are accessible on-line. Resources have been identified within each module for your ease in locating course content. Each on-line reference has been examined and includes the answers to questions posed to you for use during your Research Question assignments as well as to satisfy the requirements included in your Creativity Statement.

Utilize the on-line resources provided to you in each course module; this does not preclude the use of materials other than those provided. While the course is on-line and self-paced, it is recommended you develop and attend to a study schedule so as not to lose continuity of thinking about newly acquired material and to better facilitate the building of new material into existing knowledge and practical application strategies.

Timeline

You and your group will have three months to complete the three modules with the Ethics and Integrity 101 course and post your Final Project.  A suggested timeline would be to complete one module per month.  Be realistic about the hours you can dedicate to the course and establish a timeline with members of your group within the parameters of three months.

Course Evaluation

To evaluate the attainment of your desired level of proficiency, always remain cognizant of your goals and objectives, those stated within the course, the Course Module Expectations and your Final Project Creativity Statement. The Course Module Expectations contain the minimum levels of learning required for the attainment of Master Trainer.

Your final project can be demonstrated creatively through the creation of:

• a videotaped oral presentation of a case study;
• the development of a guidebook, toolkit or other publication for use by yourself or others;
• an audio/visual presentation of materials using PBL classroom activities;
• a videotaped lecture of introductory materials for use in the PBL setting;
• a thesis reflecting your thoughts on the application of problem based learning in the adult learning environment; or,
• other project with written approval from the Project Coordinator.

All Final Projects will be posted on the Final Project page.  Be creative in the determination and development of your final project. Peers, as well as subject matter experts, will have the opportunity to provide comments and constructive feedback to you concerning their interpretation of the material included in your Final Project.

Reasonable accommodations are available for learners who have a documented disability. Please notify the project coordinator upon registering for the Ethics and Integrity course.