Discussion Board Instructions

There will be 7 Discussion Board Forums throughout this course. You  are required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic for  each forum. Each thread is to be 150–200 words, cite at least 2 sources,  and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread,  you are required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply  must be 125–150 words and must cite at least 2 sources. Acceptable  sources include the textbook, peer-reviewed journal articles, government  sources, professional association websites, etc. Each discussion will  also require a biblical reference/quote (which is not a part of the  original source count).

Responding to a classmate’s post requires both the addition of new  ideas and analysis. A particular point made by the classmate must be  addressed and built upon by your analysis in order to move the conversation forward.  Thus, the response post is a rigorous assignment that requires you to  build upon initial posts to develop deeper and more thorough discussion  of the ideas introduced in the initial posts. As such, reply posts that  merely affirm, restate or unprofessionally quarrel with the previous  post(s) and fail to make a valuable, substantive contribution to the  discussion will receive appropriate point deductions.

The Post First feature has been activated in the Discussion Board  Forums for this course. You will need to post your thread before you  will be able to view and reply to other students’ threads.

The threads are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of the assigned  modules/weeks, and the replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of  the same modules/weeks except for Module/Week 8. For Module/Week 8, the  thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, and the replies are due  by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.

Discussion Board Grading Rubric

Student:

Criteria

Points

Possible

Points

Earned

Instructor’s   Comments

Thread

All key   components of the Discussion Board Forum prompt are answered in the thread.

15

There is   a clear, logical flow to the post.

3

Major   points are stated clearly.

2

Major   points are supported by the following:

· Textbook   or articles;

· Pertinent,   conceptual, or personal examples; and

· Thoughtful   analysis (considering assumptions, analyzing implications, comparing/contrasting   concepts).

10

Proper   spelling and grammar are used.

2

Required   word count (150–200 words) is met.

3

Replies

Bring   clarity to issues being discussed relating issues to Scripture/biblical   principles and experience.

3

Major   points are supported by the following:

· Textbook   or articles;

· Pertinent,   conceptual, or personal examples; and

· Thoughtful   analysis (considering assumptions, analyzing implications,   comparing/contrasting concepts).

5

Appropriate   “netiquette” manners (for example, no name calling or  labeling another   student’s idea a derogatory term, such as “stupid,”  or “dumb” even when   disagreeing—see Student Expectations).

2

Proper spelling   and grammar are used.

2

Required   word count (125–150 words each) is met.

3

Total

50

Forum 4

Topic: Investigations gone wrong
 

  Research and discuss an investigation that went wrong and whether it was a   poor investigation and/or prosecution resulting from an investigation.   Examples are the Duke Lacrosse case and the Richard Jewell Olympic bombing   case. What went wrong and why? What were the ramifications? What should have   been done differently?
 

  Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of Module/Week 5, and   your replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the same   module/week.

0 

0 

0 

Forum 5 (Module 6)

Topic: Picking an investigative field
 

  If you could pick 1 type of investigative field or specialty to work, what   would it be and why? Examples might be general investigations, narcotics,   child abuse, sex crimes, white collar, financial, corruption, property   crimes, violent crimes, terrorism, internal affairs, etc. How would you   prepare for this job?
 

  Tell us why this type of investigation is important (what is the problem?).   Finally, do you think investigators should specialize? Why or why not?
 

  Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of Module/Week 6, and   your replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the same   module/week.

0 

0 

0 

Forum 6 (Module 7)

Topic: Informants
 

  Discuss whether or not law enforcement should utilize informants to establish   probable cause for search warrants. If so, then what weight should be given   to their information?
 

  Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of Module/Week 7, and   your replies  are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the same   module/week.

0 

0 

0 

Forum 7 (Module 8)

Topic: Course Reflection
 

  Answer the following questions in your thread:

• Did        this course cause you to change your mind or opinion about anything        related to criminal investigations?
• What        was it? Why or why not? Maybe something was reinforced. If so, explain.
• What        was the most important thing you learned in this course (an        “aha” moment) and why?

Your thread is due by   11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of Module/Week 8, and your replies are due by   11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of the same module/week.