CRJU 100

CRJU 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (GE)

Credit Hours: (3)

 

Survey of the American criminal justice system and processes, crime, criminal law, law enforcement, prosecution, adjudication, corrections, juvenile justice, and performance evaluations.

Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The course is an introduction to the components and structure of the American system of criminal justice. There are three subsystems in the criminal justice system--law enforcement, courts, and corrections--each will be explored in some depth, including explanations of the specific occupational specialties available in each subsystem. The course also explores some background issues, such as the impact that crime has upon society and constitutional issues in criminal law. Current issues facing the criminal justice system are also addressed, as are the impact of gender and race on the operation of the system. The course intends to familiarize the student with basic terms and issues in the discipline of criminal justice.  The course also covers the basic principles of academic research including proper citation requirements, avoiding plagiarism and selecting appropriate sources of research.

1. Introduction and Overview
   1. Defining crime and justice
   2. The criminal justice system
   3. Measuring crime and collecting criminal justice data/information
   4. Explanations of crime and applications of justice
   5. Criminal law: its historical development; its application; and the Constitution.
   6. The role of discretion in the criminal justice process
2. Law Enforcement
   1. Historical development of the police.
   2. Types of law enforcement agencies and occupational opportunities in law enforcement.
   3. The process of investigation and arrest.
   4. Issues in police administration.
3. Courts
   1. Historical development of the courts and criminal procedure.
   2. Types of courts and respective jurisdictions.
   3. Actors in the court process and occupational opportunities in the court subsystem.
   4. The pretrial process.
   5. The formal process of adjudication and sentencing.
4. Corrections
   1. The philosophy of punishment.
   2. Historical development of corrections.
   3. Types of corrections and occupational opportunities in the corrections subsystem.
   4. Community corrections
   5. Capital punishment.
5. Juvenile Justice
   1. Overview of the juvenile justice system and differences from the adult criminal justice process
   2. Juvenile delinquency and crime
   3. Issues in juvenile justice

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course emphasizes knowledge acquisition, class interaction, and discussion about current criminal justice issues.

 

Student Goals and Objectives of the Course

The student will be able to:

1. identify the basic components and functions of the parts of the criminal justice system.
2. identify the roles of occupations within the criminal justice subsystems and their context within the larger criminal justice system.
3. contrast the knowledge they acquire in class from their pre-existing understanding of crime and criminal justice process.
4. understand how those components work together to form the criminal justice process.
5. identify legal issues in the operation of the system.
6. understand the definition, measurement, and explanation of crime.

 

Assessment Measures

Knowledge and understanding of the material covered in this course, including the ability to apply it to real life situations, may be measured using an array of assessment tools such as quizzes, tests, applied exercises, formal and informal written assignments, group work, oral presentations, and class discussion. Instructors of this course can choose among these assessment tools and may develop others if they deem it appropriate. 

 

Other Course Information

N/A

 

Review and Approval

September 2001 Reviewed by Dr. Isaac Van Patten, Department Chair

Revised: June 1, 2012

March 01, 2021

April 23, 2025