Hello Students, and welcome!

My name is Bryan Dupler, and I'm your instructor for this course. Find out more about me here

I should be able to answer most any question about criminal justice or send you in the right direction to find the answer for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask!

This class requires some of you to encounter new tasks, such as reading judicial opinions. I think you will find the assigned readings helpful, up to date, and relevant to current criminal law issues.

Writing assignments

Your primary obligation for the course is the assigned writings. You're not lawyers (I'm pretty sure) and as a rule, you can’t do good legal research. Not a problem, because everything you're going to need is in the resource file. I have tried to make your tasks easier with an all-in-one online student resource file from which you will do your assignments. This file is full of instructions, examples, and formats for your assignments that you should follow to a “T,” as it were.

Introduce yourself and get started

Please leave an introduction about yourself for your classmates in the discussions group and begin the assigned readings. As online students, your worst enemy in this is probably procrastination, because you don't want to get behind on your assignments. Each assignment MUST be turned in on the DUE DATE by placing it in the drop box provided.

Extensions

Extensions on assigned projects will be granted only for exceptional circumstances, and you must make your request for extension no later than the day the project or assignment is DUE! I will deduct 10% of the available points for every DAY an assignment is late.

Words of warning

I have had students in the past wait until the end of the course and request to turn in all their assignments. If you cannot begin and complete the course work within the time period(s) allotted, I will encourage you to withdraw from the course while you still can. I have found that if you don’t make time for your obligations in this course, you are really wasting your time here. Don't put yourself in an untenable situation. Commit to doing this coursework and turning it in on time!

Citations, please

You should also realize that citation to source materials is important. There is a right way and a wrong way to cite to legal cases and other source materials. I am more than happy to help you with understanding citation, but you must take the initiative and attempt to cite materials correctly in support of your written assignments. Failure to use proper citation formats will be reflected in your grade.

No stupid questions

If you have questions or problems with the assignment, ask early and often. There are NO stupid questions. I recommend that unless your question is private in nature, post it to the Canvas group, where other students and I can read and discuss your question or concern. Of course, any private matter can be discussed with me by email or phone. You can reach my office at (405) 556-9607, or my cell phone at (405) 401-0883.

Welcome,

Bryan Dupler