CR 150 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the American criminal justice system, to provide sufficient background knowledge for students to become conversant in the important concepts relating to criminal justice, and to prepare students for success in other criminal justice classes as well as for careers in public service.

Course Outcomes
As a result of his or her participation in this course, the student will be able to:

list the three phenomena of the 1960s and 1970s that stirred interest and led to changes in the American criminal justice system;
understand the significance of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments to the U. S. Constitution in the administration of justice;
demonstrate an understanding of the key issues surrounding the need for the government to balance the maintenance of law and order versus individual rights;
discuss the measurement and patterning of criminal behavior in America;
name the major agencies involved in processing a person through the criminal justice system and differentiate their roles; and
describe his or her beliefs about justice in America, as well as the triumphs and failures of the criminal justice system.

F/S (C, N, S)