Course Syllabus

CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice

Course Description

This course will explore the history, processes, and functions of the American Criminal Justice System this will include law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the basic theories and procedures of criminal justice in America and its impact on Human Behavior.

Justification

This course fulfills a General Education Requirement. This course is part of the Criminal Justice curriculum and is designed to transfer to all USHE institutions. CJ 1010 is part of the lower division course for a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Through study of the history of basic rights such as individual rights and public order, students will be able to explain changes in American history. This will be accomplished through chapter assignments and a research project submitted by the student and evaluated by the instructor; and by the student’s participation in a final project.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will demonstrate ability to read effectively in the social science discipline by demonstrating an ability to read effectively by completing critical thinking exercises in the chapters or take the appropriate quiz or exam and submit them for evaluation by the instructor. The student will also complete a research project.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations that range across disciplines based on individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. This will be explored in preparing a community program on individual rights and public order, which is the final project.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will demonstrate critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills through explaining the impacts of the judicial system on individual rights and public order. This outcome will be accomplished in quizzes and exams, mini and research written assignments, and projects.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Through the study of the history of basic rights, students will understand changes in individual rights and public order. Students will complete critical thinking exercises in the chapters or take the appropriate quiz or exam and submit them for evaluation by the instructor. The student will also complete a research project. Through the study of the history of basic rights, students will understand changes in individual rights and public order. Students will complete critical thinking exercises in the chapters or take the appropriate quiz or exam and submit them for evaluation by the instructor. The student will also complete a research project.
2. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of the components of the criminal justice system on individual rights and public order. This will be accomplished through the research project submitted by the student and evaluated by the instructor; and by the student’s participation in a final project.
3. Draw on the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate contemporary problems using social science research methodology. Students will demonstrate an ability to use social science research to explain phenomenon in all their written projects and assignments.
4. Describe and analytically compare social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, and historical settings and processes other than one’s own. Students will understand other judicial systems (English, Islamic, Communist) in relation to the system of the United States. This will be explored in preparing a community program on individual rights and public order.
5. Explain and use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions. This will be accomplished through the research project submitted by the student and evaluated by the instructor; and by the student’s participation in a final project.
6. Write effectively within the social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena. This will be accomplished through the research project submitted by the student and evaluated by the instructor; and by the student’s participation in a final project.

Course Content

Throughout this course the student will be able to examine the history and evolution of perspectives of criminal justice in America, understand philosophies as a dynamic concept, learn the broad framework of the criminal justice system, become familiar with the law as it applies to criminal justice in America, be able to differentiate between the separate authorities, departments and operations in America, examine the growth and related problems of the American system and gain perspective on potential careers in criminal justice.