INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

SYLLABUS
Section Instructor: Dr. O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

Class meets: as scheduled

Office Hours: as scheduled
Room APSU Center @ Ft. Campbell
Telephone: (931) 221-1477
(931) 221-1493 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.drtomoconnor.com

or

or
Textbook: Lab, Steven et al. (2011). Criminal Justice: The Essentials. (2e paperback) NY:
Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 0199737192 or the later edition, Lab, Steven et al.
(2013) Criminal Justice. NY: Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-993589-5, or (sometimes required)
Owen, Stephen et. al. (2011). Foundations of Criminal Justice NY: Oxford ISBN
0195387325.
COURSE DESIGNATION: CRJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 semester hours)
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: This course is a basic study of all
components of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include concepts of
law and crime, the criminal justice process, overview of criminal justice agencies, current
criminal justice issues, and interactions and conflicts between criminal justice agencies. (no
prerequisites)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquire an informed understanding of the basic components of justice processes

2. To recognize the major sources of crime data, and their uses and limitations
3. To examine the historical evolution of the role of policing in a modern society
4. To examine criminal court systems and adversarial concepts
5. To examine correctional systems and the purposes of punishment
6. To appreciate the basic differences between juvenile and adult systems
7. To appreciate emerging and international forms of justice
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the
student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and
contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions,
examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of
evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case
studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through
consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how
social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security
CONTENT OUTLINE:
Week 1: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. The Definition and Meaning of Criminal Justice
1a. Crime Data and Crime Measurement
Week 2: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. Crime Theories
2a. Criminal Law Overview
Week 3: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. The Police Component
Week 4: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. Police Issues
4a. Police Law

Week 5: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. The Court Component
Week 6: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. Court Issues
6a. Trial, Sentencing, and Appeal
Week 7: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. Community Corrections
7a. Institutional Corrections
7b. Prison Issues
Week 8: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and
any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. Juvenile Justice
8a. The War Analogy in Fighting Crime
Misc. material: Model of the Criminal Justice System
REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:
Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Lab, Steven et. al. (2011). Criminal Justice: The
Essentials. (2e paperback) NY: Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 0199737193 or the later edition,
Lab, Steven et al. (2013) Criminal Justice. NY: Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-993589-5, or
(sometimes required) Owen, Stephen et. al. (2011). Foundations of Criminal Justice NY:
Oxford ISBN 0195387325.
Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual
of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not
have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize
the correct style or format with writing assignments.
Additional Learning Resources (Internet Links in lectures and these general resources)
1. Mega directories or guides, such as the more academically useful ones are by professors
like Schmallenger and O'Connor
2. Government and non-governmental agencies. Police agencies are the most prevalent
and correctional agencies the least prevalent with court sites somewhere in the middle. The
category of non-government includes non-profit agencies and professional associations.
3. Clearinghouses, Research Institutes, Centers, or Foundations. Their name will usually be
an acronym, like ICPSR, NCJRS, or NLETC. At these sites, you will usually find advanced
technical information and reports.
4. Law and legal research sites, like Cornell, FindLaw, and Hieros Gamos.
5. News sites like newsletters, E-journals, publisher updates, and listservs.

6. Personal home pages, like those created by librarians, authors, and the
occasional student.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read
assigned text chapters, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional
suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor. In addition, students are
expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire
to participate in any discussion. Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by
the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper assignment and/or writing
assignment(s) are to be followed precisely. The Instructor will announce all deadlines and
instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.
BASIS AND METHODS FOR GRADING (May vary by instructor):
25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward
writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion contributions)
The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although
instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit. At
times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly
more.
A = 93-100
B = 86-92
C = 78-85
D = 70-77
F = 69/below
ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, if this is a webbased course), and students are expected to attend all sessions regularly and as expected. If
a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's
control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for
submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and
absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon
severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least
half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the
instructor.
DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic
performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you
may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff,
faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.
ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct
themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be
tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student
Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic
setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or
plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the
course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University. Cheating is defined
as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the
work of someone else's as one's own. APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.
The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances.
Last updated: Jan 8, 2014
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal
Justice
O'Connor, T. (2014). Syllabus for Introduction to Criminal Justice, MegaLinks in Criminal
Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/1010/default.htm.