CJ G140: Introduction to Criminal Justice

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	09/19/2023
Top Code	210500 - Administration of Justice
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences (4) Cal-GETC 4J Sociology (4J)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 4 Social&Behavioral Sci (4) IGETC 4J Sociology (4J)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU D0 Sociology & Criminology (D0)

Course Description

This course analyzes the characteristics of the criminal justice system. The course introduces students to the history of criminal law, the legal process, and theories of punishment. The focus will be on the interrelationship of the three criminal justice system components in the United States. Crime reporting methodology, theories of crime causation, and current challenges to the system will be explored. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: AJ 110. C-ID: AJ 110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Course Outcomes
Analyze the historical evolution, structure, and functions of the police, courts, and corrections components of the criminal justice system.
Describe the interrelationship of the components of the criminal justice system.
Evaluate the criminological theories of crime causation.

Course Objectives

1. Describe the five major goals of the criminal justice system.
2. Explain the major theories of crime causation and the public policy responses to them.
3. Explain the value and necessity of high ethical standards and integrity in the law enforcement profession.
4. Examine the structure and purpose of the American federal and state court systems.
5. Compare the statistical methods and theories associated with the sources of crime data, patterns of criminal activity, and the costs of crime.
6. Differentiate the stages of the criminal adjudication process including juvenile justice.

Lecture Content

Overview of the Criminal Justice System History of the American system of justice Social, civil, and criminal justice Components of the criminal justice system Conflict v. consensus models Individual rights v. public order Philosophy of social control Terrorism and multinational criminal justice Significance of multiculturalism Impact of technology Criminal justice process Due process of law Ethical practices Six Pillars of character Methodology of Reporting Crime Crime data and social policy Collection of crime data Crime typology Evidence based practice Criminological Theory Deviance Role of social research Classical theories of crime causation Biological theories of crime causation Psychological theories of crime causation Sociological theories of crime causation Social process theories of crime causation Conflict theories of crime causation Criminal Law The "Rule of Law" Common law v. civil law Constitutional, statutory, and case law Criminal act and intent Defenses to crimes The Law Enforcement System Police structure Criminal justice research and evaluation Data driven policing Private security Operational strategies Police subculture Limits of discretion Investigation and interrogation The Court System Court structure Courtroom workgroup Adjudication process Pretrial activities Trial proceedings Theories of punishment and rehabilitation Victim impact statements Post conviction proceedings Juvenile justice The Corrections System Probation and parole structure Objective-based case planning Community corrections Intervention strategies Restorative justice Jails and prisons Special inmate populations Inmate subcultures

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments from textbook, websites, and handouts.

Writing Assignments

Instructor facilitated exercises, written assignments, and examinations requiring analysis of the course materials and lecture.

Out-of-class Assignments

Written research paper with annotated bibliography pursuant to APA Citation Style.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Student-centered and problem-based instruction facilitated by instructor that requires critical thinking based on the course content. The student will evaluate theories of crime causation as they apply to a factual scenario of a crime and social history of the defendant and defend their conclusions.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration