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CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course provides an examination of the history and philosophy of the criminal justice system. The structure and function of law enforcement and the judicial and correctional systems are compared and contrasted with an overview of law and order issues facing the federal, state, and local agencies. Public service careers in the criminal justice system are surveyed.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice

Campus Location

  • Dover
  • Georgetown
  • Stanton

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

Course Credits and Hours

3 credit(s)

3 lecture hours/week

0 lab hours/week

Course Description

This course provides an examination of the history and philosophy of the criminal justice system. The structure and function of law enforcement and the judicial and correctional systems are compared and contrasted with an overview of law and order issues facing the federal, state, and local agencies. Public service careers in the criminal justice system are surveyed.

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Assess the potential for a career in public service within the criminal justice system by exploring the educational, technological and training requirements, selection process, and the nature and demands of the various positions. (CCC 4; PGC 1, 3)
  2. Describe the historical development of law enforcement in the United States. (CCC 4; PGC 2)
  3. Identify and explain the functional philosophical and legal bases for the operation of law enforcement, including systems and agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. (CCC 1, 4; PGC 1, 3)
  4. Identify and explain the functions of the judicial system, including the courts at the federal, state, and local levels, and explain how they interface with law enforcement agencies and the correctional system. (CCC 1, 4; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4)
  5. Identify and explain the functions of the correctional system, including detention facilities at the federal, state, and local levels; custody, treatment, probation, parole, and release processes; and the correctional system's interface with the judicial system. (CCC 1, 4; PGC 1, 2, 3, 5)
  6. Compare and contrast the processing of juveniles and adults through the criminal justice system components, including offenses, prevention, and treatment resources. (CCC 1, 2, 4; PGC 1, 2, 3, 5)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Assess the potential for a career in public service within the criminal justice system by exploring the educational, technological and training requirements, selection process, and the nature and demands of the various positions.
    1. Identify the various professional positions within the criminal justice system.
    2. Review the roles, responsibilities, demands, and nature of each position.
    3. Assess the criminal justice system interrelationships and interactions within various agencies and with the general public.
    4. Describe the educational, technological, and training requirements necessary for each position.
    5. Assist in formulating a personal career perspective in the field of criminal justice.
  2. Describe the historical development of law enforcement in the United States.
    1. Trace and review the historical development of law enforcement in the United States from the 18th century to the 21st century.
    2. Identify key philosophical, economic, social, and political forces and events that influence the criminal justice system.
    3. Review current and past policies, programs, and issues in the criminal justice system.
    4. Discuss race, culture, gender, and the use of police discretion in the law enforcement community.
  3. Identify and explain the functional philosophical and legal bases for the operation of law enforcement, including systems and agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
    1. Identify court reviews of police operations.
    2. Identify various U.S. constitutional amendments and court decisions that affect the criminal justice system.
    3. Explain the basis for law enforcement operations and how it works within the criminal justice system.
  4. Identify and explain the functions of the judicial system, including the courts at the federal, state, and local levels, and explain how they interface with law enforcement agencies and the correctional system.
    1. Review and discuss the criminal court process at the federal, state, and local levels.
    2. Review the policy, programs, and issues in criminal justice specialty courts.
    3. Identify the role of the high court and states' rights.
    4. Classify and differentiate the structure, function, and administration of the federal, state, and local court systems.
    5. Explain the major issues related to the judicial system and their effect upon law enforcement and correction procedures.
  5. Identify and explain the functions of the correctional system, including detention facilities at the federal, state, and local levels; custody, treatment, probation, parole, and release processes; and the correctional system's interface with the judicial system.
    1. Review the history of correctional institutions.
    2. Identify the operation, administration, procedures, and effects of prisons and other correctional institutions (public and private).
    3. Discuss the various treatment modalities available to the correctional client.
    4. Explain legal issues related to custody, probation, parole, and release processes.
    5. Discuss the impact of sociological forces upon the correctional system, and discuss major issues influencing its future development.
  6. Compare and contrast the processing of juveniles and adults through the criminal justice system components, including offenses, prevention, and treatment resources.
    1. Review the history of juvenile justice.
    2. Compare police processing of adult offenders and juvenile offenders.
    3. Examine the juvenile court process.
    4. Examine the juvenile correctional process.
    5. Identify policy, programs, and issues in criminal justice, including preventing delinquency with early childhood intervention.
    6. Compare various treatment programs for both the juvenile and adult offender.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Summative: Exam (4) (equally weighted)

60%

Formative: Quizzes, assignments, journals, presentations (equally weighted)

40%

TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

CRJAASCRJ

  1. Discuss criminal justice professionalism in the performance of duties.
  2. Articulate the function and interaction of criminal justice agencies and organizations.
  3. Explain interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques with diverse criminal justice populations.
  4. Apply knowledge of causation and correction to juvenile and adult offenders.
  5. Describe the legal principles and practices of criminal and constitutional law.

CRJCERDCA

  1. Examine criminal justice professionalism in the performance of duties.
  2. Review the function and interaction of criminal justice agencies and organizations.
  3. Apply interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques with diverse criminal justice populations.
  4. Review knowledge of causation and correction to juvenile and adult offenders.
  5. Study the legal principles and practices of criminal and constitutional law.

CRJAASLEO

  1. Employ criminal justice ethics in the performance of duties.
  2. Employ the legal principles and practices of criminal and constitutional law.
  3. Utilize interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques with diverse criminal justice populations.
  4. Apply the knowledge and skills of a law enforcement professional.
  5. Meet the academic training eligibility requirements for advanced standing status at the Delaware State Police Academy.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

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Minimum technology requirements for all distance education type courses.

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