Introduction to Criminal Justice

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Class
CRIJ 1301

Upon completion of this course the student will have a basic understanding of the History, philosophy, and ethical considerations of criminal justice; the nature and impact of crime; and an overview of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement and court procedures.  The course covers ethics, policy and discretion and provides current issues facing the criminal justice system. Students will understand that the criminal justice system is ever-changing as societies and cultures change.
 

Course Learning Objectives

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified competencies in the area of Resources, Interpersonal, Information, Systems, and Technology; and foundation skills in the areas of Basic Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities.  This course is part of a program in which each of these competencies and skills are integrated.  For application of specific SCANS competencies and skills in this course, see Addendum B or next Addendum.  Students will obtain a basic understanding of ethics and discretion and how these directly relate to all aspects of criminal justice.

  1. The student will identify and describe persons, places, and events
  2. of historical significance to criminal justice.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of philosophy of law enforcement and
  4. criminal justice.
  5.  Identify and demonstrate knowledge of problems related to local, state, and federal agencies. 
  6.  Describe the function of local, state, and federal criminal justice
  7. agencies
Required Textbooks

Weatherford Campus:   An Introduction to Criminal Justice, 4th Edition SAGE, ISBN: 9781544372945 (Instructor: Fitzjarrell)

Wise County Campus: A Brief Introduction to Criminal Justice: Practice and Process, (2021), SAGE, ISBN: 9781544373263 (Instructor: Galloway)

Evaluation Standards

Grading Scale:    

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

0-59   F

Course Progression
  1. The student will identify and describe persons, places, and events of historical significance to criminal justice.
    1. Henry Fielding, Robert Peel, and other significant persons in criminal justice
    2.  Criminal Justice in Europe, Colonial America, and modern America.
  2.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of philosophy of law enforcement and criminal justice
    1.  Philosophy of law, including constitutional law, statutory law and administrative law
    2.  Philosophy of criminal justice including the adult and juvenile systems.
  3. The student will identify and demonstrate knowledge of problems related to local, state, and federal agencies
    1.  Personnel problems
    2.  Administration problems
    3.  Organization problems
    4.  Recruiting problems
    5.  Use of force problems.
  4.  The student will describe the function of local, state, and federal agencies
    1.  Municipal police, county sheriffs, constables, and community corrections.
    2. State law enforcement agencies, prisons, and parole
    3. Federal law enforcement and prisons
Instructional Methods

Lectures, discussions, films, assignments, quizzes, case law research, guest lecturers

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Student Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights Statement: The student shall retain all rights to work created in conjunction with the instructional process and/or while using college technology resources.

SCH Hours
3
Revised
Fall 2023