CRMJ 2120 Intro to Criminal Justice

In this course, the total criminal justice process from law enforcement through the administration of justice, prisons, probation, and history and philosophy of the system are examined. (3 lect.)

Credits

3 credits

Transfer Status

Equivalent to UW.

Major Topics

  • Major components of the American Criminal Justice System
  • Current criminal justice issues
  • Diversity of opinions, practices, methodology, and intentions of the various agencies (including law enforcement, courts and corrections) that make up the criminal justice system
  • The criminal justice system and its impact and inter-relatedness with other institutions in society

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Identify various components and values of the American Criminal Justice system including the police, courts, corrections and the public

2. Analyze issues, both legal and procedural, that affect criminal justice agencies, criminal justice professionals, victims, offenders, and the general public

3. Describe the history and implementation of the American Criminal Justice system in terms of its competing values of crime control and due process, and its effects on governments, social institution and individuals, including historical, political, constitutional and statutory sources.

4. Analyze and explain the differences between individual rights advocates and law and order advocates

5. Explore and interpret the reasons and theories behind deviant behavior and the responses to it

6. Explain and analyze historical, constitutional and statutory sources of law

7. Examine how the criminal justice system has changed and responded over time to issues confronting it

8. Discuss the effect of crime and constitutional limits on police power

9. Demonstrate an understanding of how criminal justice agencies gather, analyze and interpret data in their particular areas

10. Examine contemporary and future issues as they may affect the operation of the criminal justice system and its functioning in society

11. Assess the decision making process and the role of discretion in the system

12. Analyze the inter-relationship between police, courts, and corrections and compare and contrast their roles in the criminal justice system with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government and the private sector

Other Information

Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors:

See instructor for required course textbook.