CJ 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

Description
This course is a survey of Criminal Justice in the United States. Knowledge of agencies composing the criminal justice system, including the police, courts, and corrections. It provides an introduction to: philosophical and historical backgrounds; development of systems, services, and agencies; and analysis of criminal justice programs.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Addiction Studies Certificate, Corrections, A.A.A.S., Juvenile Services, A.A.A.S., Law Enforcement, A.A.A.S., Pre-Criminal Justice, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Assess the magnitude of a Crime problem.

2. Characterize the crime problem in terms of definitions, sources and politics.

3. Explain the history of the criminal justice system.

4. Describe police power, practices, and ethics.

5. Characterize the development and present status of arrest and search and seizure restrictions.

6. Characterize the role and power of the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney.

7. Describe the functions of the various courts and pretrial court functions.

8. Explain the trial, sentencing, and appeal process.

9. Contrast the use of institutional corrections with community based corrections.

10. Describe problems associated with the juvenile justice system.

11. Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.

12. Use creativity and alternative thinking to brainstorm new ideas and possible solutions to problems or issues.

13. Describe how knowledge and learning from the academic study/field/discipline relates to one’s participation in civic life, politics, and government.

14. Identify concerns, issues or problems about the local community.

15. Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues.
Course Outline:
I. Crime, Law, and the Criminal Justice System

What is the Criminal Justice System?
Types of Crime
Causes of Crime
Criminal Law and Defenses

II. Law Enforcement

Overview of Policing
Policing Operations
Legal and Special Issues in Policing

III. Adjudication

The Courts
Pretrial and Trial
Sentencing

IV. Corrections

Overview of Corrections
Jails and Prisons
Community Corrections

V. Special Issues

Understanding and Helping Victims
Juvenile Justice
Evolving Challenges in Criminal Justice

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 30-50%

Questions and answer: 10-30%

Discussion: 15-25%

Audio-visual materials: 15-20%

Reading of special handouts and reading assignments: 0-15%

Guest speakers: 0-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 97, IRW 98, IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100862
Course CIP Code: 43.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: Yes
If yes, with which high schools?: Allegan County Tech Center, Careerline Tech Center, COOR Area Career Tech Center, Heartlands Institute of Technology, Kent Career and Technical Center, Montcalm Area Career Center
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Business & Industry
Department: Criminal Justice
Discipline: CJ
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Course instructor must meet the requirements for occupational instructors including having two years of related work experience in subject area.

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230216T18:45:17
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028