INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Required Textbook:

Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L. (2016). Introduction to criminal justice, (15th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning. ISBN: 9781305465671

Looseleaf option: ISBN 9781337089630

Course Description

Introduction to Criminal Justice presents a broad view of the criminal justice system. The course focuses
on decision points and administrative practices in police and other criminal justice agencies, as well as
basic criminal procedures. A realistic description of the American criminal justice system is presented
and how it works police, courts, and corrections. Topics include: what is criminal justice, the crime
picture and the search for its causes, criminal law, policing history and structure, police management
and legal aspects, adjudication including the courts and sentencing, corrections involving probation,
parole, community corrections, prisons and jails, prison life, juvenile justice, drugs and crime,
multinational criminal justice, and the future of criminal justice.

Course Objectives

Describe the key components, functions, and jurisdictions of both the state and federal level
American Court systems
Explain the emerging threats in terrorism activity: motivators and methodologies
Identify various criminal justice policy changes and legal rulings as they affect the criminal
justice system
Discuss the history and evolution of law enforcement as it relates to enforcement, management,
misconduct, and use of force
Summarize the components of the United States correctional systems, functions, and practices

Course Schedule

Week Assignment
Week 1 "The Nature of Crime and Criminal Read chapters 1 and 2 from the textbook
Justice" View the week one PPT lecture: Crime and
Criminal Justice

Week 2 "Crime and Victimization"
Week 3 "Criminal Law. Public and Private
Policing"
Week 4 "Police Organization and Rule of
Law"
Week 5 "The Courts"
Week 6 "Types of Sentencing"
View the week one PPT lecture: The Nature
and Extent of Crime
Participate in the week one discussion:
Introduction & Police Ethics
Complete the week one written assignment:
Recognizing Crime Trends
Read chapters 3 and 4 from the textbook
View the week two PPT lecture:
Understanding Crime and Victimization
View the week two PPT lecture: Criminal
Law: Substance and Procedure
Participate in the week two discussion:
Justification Defenses
Complete the week two written assignment:
Reforming Criminal Law
Read chapters 5 and 6 from the textbook
View the week three PPT lecture: Public
Policing and Private Security
View the week three PPT lecture: The
Police: Organization, Role, and Function
Participate in the week three discussion:
Public and Private Police Partnership
Complete the week three written
assignment: Fusion Centers
Read chapters 7 and 8 from the textbook
View the week four PPT lecture: Issues in
Policing
View the week four PPT lecture: Police and
the Rule of Law
Participate in the week four discussion: The
Evolution of the Miranda Decision
Complete the midterm exam
Read chapters 9 and 10 from the textbook
View the week five PPT lecture: Court
Structure and Personnel
View the week five PPT lecture: Pretrial and
Trial Procedures
Participate in the week five discussion: No
Drop Prosecution
Complete the week five written assignment:
Plea Bargaining: Justice or Injustice
Read chapters 11 and 12 from the textbook
View the week six PPT lecture: Punishment
and Sentencing
Week 7 "Corrections and Prison Life"
Week 8 "The New Millennium of Crime and
Justice"
Work must be submitted by 11:59 PM C.S.T. on the due date.
View the week six PPT lecture: Community
Sentences: Probation, Intermediate
Sanctions, and Restorative Justice
Participate in the week six discussion: Civil
Commitment
Complete the week six written assignment:
Probation Success and Failure
Read chapters 13 and 14 from the textbook
View the week seven PPT lecture:
Corrections: History, Institutions, and
Populations
View the week seven PPT lecture: Prison
Life: Living in and Leaving Prison
Participate in the week seven discussion:
Juvenile Boot Camps
Complete the week seven written
assignment: Prisoner Reentry into the
Community
Read chapters 15 and 16 from the textbook
View the week seven PPT lecture: Juvenile
Justice
View the week seven PPT lecture: Crime
and Justice in the New Millennium
Participate in the week five discussion: No
Drop Prosecution
Complete the final exam

Citations: Wikipedia is not recognized by Grantham as a credible citation for written work.

File Saving: Students are strongly encouraged to save and backup all of their course discussion forums,
written assignments, and final projects/papers on their personal computers. In the case of a grading
error or dispute, the student must be able to supple the instructor with the original assignment

Grade Weights

Category Weight
Writing Assignments 40%
Discussion Forums 40%
Midterm 10%
Final 10%

The following table outlines the academic effort required by students to be successful in this course.
While the times in the table are approximate, it is presented to help students with their time
management. Please note, depending on the student's background knowledge and experience of the
course subject and an individual student's academic capabilities, these times will vary. If you have any
questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
1 Online Readings/Lectures 4.2
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 3.7
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
2 Online Readings/Lectures 4.8
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 2.9
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 3.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
3 Online Readings/Lectures 4.6
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 4.4
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
4 Online Readings/Lectures 4.9
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 2.0
Preparation Readings 3.3
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 3.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0
 Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours
Required
5 Online Readings/Lectures 5.4
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 5.1
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
6 Online Readings/Lectures 4.8
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 4.6
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
7 Online Readings/Lectures 4.6
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 4.4
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 6.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
8 Online Readings/Lectures 4.8
Discussions 3.0
Assignments 2.0
Preparation Readings 2.9
Discussions 2.0
Assignments 3.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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