CJI 101 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CJI 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
Course Number & Name: CJI 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Credit Hours: 3 .0 Contact Hours: 3.0 Lecture: 3.0 Lab: N/A Other: N/A
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or better in ENG 096 and RDG 096 or placement
Co-requisites: None Concurrent Courses: None
Course Description: This introductory course on the principles and problems of the criminal justice system analyzes the role of the criminal justice officer in the community, the rights of the individual citizen, and the laws under which we live. The course examines in depth the organization and administration of the courts, corrections, and law enforcement agencies. The course includes analysis of the opportunities and obligations of the criminal justice officials, and those in law enforcement, correctional services, and courts. Special topics such as terrorism and cyber crime are also explored. Using various multimedia platforms, the course explores criminal justice issues, examines the issues that influence offenders, and identifies explanations for delinquent and criminal behavior. Students are required to complete a field assignment involving in-court observations.
Course Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
- describe the functions of the various components of the criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts and corrections) and explain the interrelationship of these components;
- demonstrate basic knowledge of criminal law and the rights of individual citizens;
- describe the role of the criminal justice professional in the community and the organization and administration of the various entities in the criminal justice system;
- explain the social, political, economic, and cultural factors within society that influence the development of criminological theory, laws and criminal justice practices and their application to criminal behaviors and sanctions;
- demonstrate critical thinking skills within the context of evaluating the complexity of criminal justice issues; and
- communicate effectively with accurate ‘criminal justice’ terminology in written and/or oral form.