CRJ 101: Criminal Justice

Course Description

This course will provide a practical understanding and general overview of the American criminal justice system. Students will be introduced to a description of the major law enforcement agencies and their history, including the organization and function of the police, prosecution, corrections, and court systems.        (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Understand the American criminal justice system from a universal approach;
  2. Understand the three components of the criminal justice system;
  3. Define the differences between criminal justice system and civil justice system;
  4. Understand and utilize the distinctive terminology within the criminal justice system;
  5. Recognize the diverse components of the criminal justice system and how they relate and work together with one another;
  6. Have a familiarization with criminal law and how it relates with crime, criminal justice professionals and public expectations;
  7. Understand and better prepare for entry-level careers in the criminal justice field.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-7)

35%

Midterm Exam (Week 4)

10%

Written Assignment (Week 6)

25%

Final Exam (Week 8)

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Schmalleger, Frank. Criminal Justice Today. 16th ed. Pearson Education Publishing, 2021. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-577070-2 [ebook version]

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1, 2,
 4, 7

Topics:

  • What is Criminal Justice?
  • The Crime Picture

Reading:

  • Chapters 1, 2
  • Please post a brief introduction of yourself and your educational goals.
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

2

1, 2,
3, 7

Topics:

  • The Search for Causes
  • Criminal Law
  • Policing, History and Structure

Reading:

  • Chapters 3, 4, 5
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

3

1, 2,
3, 4

Topics:

  • Policing, History & Organization?
  • Policing, Legal Aspects
  • Policing, Issues and Legal Challenges

Reading:

  • Chapters 6, 7, 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Prepare for the Midterm Exam

4

 5, 6,
7

Topics:

  • The Courts: Structure and Participants
  • Pretrial Activities & Criminal  Trials

Reading:

  • Chapter 9, 10
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Take the Midterm Exam

Midterm Exam
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4

5

3, 5,
6, 7

Topics:

  • Sentencing
  • Probation, Parole & Community Corrections
  • Prisons and Jails

Reading:

  •  Chapters 11, 12, 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

6

4, 5,
6, 7

Topics:

  • Prison Life
  • Special Issues
  • Drugs and Crime

Reading:

  • Chapters 14, 15, 16
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Written Assignment

7

4, 5,
6, 7

Topics:

  • Terrorism & Multinational
  • Criminal Justice
  • The Future of Criminal Justice

Reading:

  • Chapters 17, 18
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Study for Final Exam
8

Final Exam
Covering Chapters I through 18
SLOs 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6, and 7

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.