CJ 101 Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus:  CJ101 Course Overview_S19_EGomez.pdf

Meet Your Instructor: 

Mr. Ernie Gomez, Adjunct Instructor

E-mail: Gomez_Ernie@sac.edu

Office Hours: Friday, 12pm to 1pm, Learning Center, D-307

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States.  Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system.  The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces that have shaped those principles and approaches.  Although justice structure and process are examined in a cross-cultural context, emphasis is placed on the US justice system, particularly the structure and function of US police, courts, and corrections.  Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies.

Textbook Information:  

Masters et al. (2013). CJ Realities and Challenges, 3rd ed. Boston: MA: Wadsworth, 2013, ISBN: 9780077677664

Course Learning Objectives: 

Students will analyze the rewards and challenges of a career in the criminal justice system.  Students will explore the requirements needed to be successful in the field.

Students must recall, apply and analyze concepts and information from lectures, guest speakers, handouts, etc. They must solve problems, draw conclusions and critique the point of view of others.  Students must also be able to identify ethical and legal issues related to the criminal justice profession.

Student Learning Objectives: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of criminological theories used to explain crime and criminality;
2. Explain the methods, theories, and concepts associated with the sources of crime data, the emerging patterns of criminal activity, and the costs of crime;
3. Understand the history, development, and structure, and function of American police, courts, and corrections;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, structure, and function of the police;
5. Convey an understanding of the process of adjudication;
6. Show an understanding of corrections including the roles of probation, parole, and community corrections; as well as the functions of prisons and jails;
7. Identify and describe special issues in the criminal justice system involving juvenile delinquency, drugs, and the future development;
8. Critically analyze and discuss issues of crime and justice from varying perspectives;
9. Demonstrate an understanding of criminological theories used to explain crime and criminality;
10. Explain the methods, theories, and concepts associated with the sources of crime data, the emerging patterns of criminal activity, and the costs of crime;
11. Understand the history, development, and structure, and function of American police, courts, and corrections;
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, structure, and function of the police;
13. Convey an understanding of the process of adjudication;
14. Show an understanding of corrections including the roles of probation, parole, and community corrections; as well as the functions of prisons and jails;
15. Identify and describe special issues in the criminal justice system involving juvenile delinquency, drugs, and the future development;
16. Critically analyze and discuss issues of crime and justice from varying perspectives;
17. Utilize conclusions from scholarly research in creating informed positions on controversial issues in criminal justice;
18. Demonstrate the ability to raise critically relevant questions based on independent reading of criminal justice literature;
19. Effectively follow the appropriate writing style practiced in the social sciences;
20. Explain the definitions of crime; and
21. Understand the extent of the crime problem in America.
23. Utilize conclusions from scholarly research in creating informed positions on controversial issues in criminal justice;
24. Demonstrate the ability to raise critically relevant questions based on independent reading of criminal justice literature;
25. Effectively follow the appropriate writing style practiced in the social sciences;
26. Explain the definitions of crime; and
27. Understand the extent of the crime problem in America.