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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
POLID010.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Administration of Justice
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. The content focuses on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, response to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. It also examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system in crime control and the evolving forces that have shaped those principles and approaches. The justice component structures and processes are examined in a cross-cultural context, emphasizing the relationship and partnership between the police and the diverse community populations. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, the legal process, sentencing, and incarceration policies.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Administration of Justice (Police science, corrections, law enforcement)]
Discipline 2
[Sociology]
Discipline 3
[Political Science]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is in a CTE program and is UC and CSU transferable. This course belongs in the Administration of Justice AA-T degree in Law Enforcement. This course was developed in response to an advisory board recommendation to have a class that introduces students to the criminal justice system. This is a cross-listed course.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
C-IDArea(s)StatusDetails
AJAdministration of JusticeApprovedC-ID AJ 110

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Not open to students with credit in the cross-listed course(s).)

(Also listed as ADMJ D001.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Oral
    1. Small group discussion of course content
    2. Individual and/or small group preparation and presenting of course material
  2. Written research project on an assigned or chosen topic related to the criminal justice system.
  3. Assigned readings from text and other references.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Midterm examinations that have objective and subjective questions based on lectures, readings, class discussions, media aids and will be evaluated based on in-depth analysis, mastery of content elements, application of knowledge, and critical thinking.
  2. Multiple choice/True-False/Fill-in/Media aids demonstrated by a final examination.
  3. Regular participation in problem-solving discussions related to class subject matter
  4. Research paper on a topic related to the criminal justice system covering an in-depth analysis of current concepts/theories, utilizing an MLA writing format, and will be evaluated based on in-depth analysis, mastery of content elements, application of knowledge, and critical thinking..
  5. Current event/situation topic articles with content learning evaluated by a short quiz demonstrating mastery of knowledge, communicating accurate facts, and critical thinking. 

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Cole, G.F. and Smith, C.E.Criminal Justice in AmericaCengage-Wadsworth Publishing Co.2018 / 9th Edition
Schmalleger, F.Criminal Justice: A Brief IntroductionPearson-Prentice Hall Publishing Co.2018 / 12th Edition
Fagin, J.A.CJ 2019Pearson Publishing Co.2020978-0-13-520217-3

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Compare and contrast the roles and objectives of the agencies within the administration of justice system
  • Describe and analyze the causal theories of crime and criminal classifications
  • Analyze and discuss the role of criminal statistics
  • Describe and critique the evolution of the administration of justice system
  • Appraise the organization and operation of criminal justice agencies
  • Analyze the role expectations of each component of the administration of justice system
  • Describe the historical foundation of the criminal law process
  • Define and evaluate professionalism in the criminal justice field
  • Analyze and critique modern trends in the field of administration of justice

CSLOs

  • Contrast the responsibilities of each component of the criminal justice system.

  • Evaluate the interrelationships that link the components of the justice system.

Outline

  1. Compare and contrast the roles and objectives of the agencies within the administration of justice system
    1. Law enforcement
    2. Judicial
    3. Corrections
  2. Describe and analyze the causal theories of crime and criminal classifications
    1. Explanations of crime
      1. Evolution of theories
      2. Role of sociological considerations such as race, class, gender and sexuality.
      3. Psychological considerations
      4. Political-economic implications
    2. Criminal classifications
      1. White collar criminal
      2. Organized crime
      3. Professional vs. casual
      4. Victimless crime
      5. Hate based on race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnic origin, and political beliefs.
  3. Analyze and discuss the role of criminal statistics
    1. Scope of the crime problem
    2. Volume and rate
    3. Crime related factors
      1. Human
      2. Time
      3. Environmental
    4. The court system and its relation to the problem
      1. Theories of punishment
      2. Treatment concepts
      3. Dynamics of recidivism
      4. Theories of deterrence and rehabilitation
    5. The court system and its relation to the problem
      1. Time factors
      2. Sentencing procedures
  4. Describe and critique the evolution of the administration of justice system
    1. European antecedents
    2. Development of law enforcement in the United States
      1. Early history
      2. Development of the English police
      3. Development of the United States police
      4. Philosophy of police-community relations
    3. Development of the judicial system in the United States.
    4. Development of corrections system in the United States
  5. Appraise the organization and operation of criminal justice agencies
    1. Organization and operation of justice agencies
      1. Local
      2. State
      3. Federal
    2. Organization and operation of the court system
      1. Local
      2. State
      3. Federal
    3. Organization and operation of the correctional system
      1. Local
      2. State
      3. Federal
      4. Probation and parole
  6. Analyze the role expectations of each component of the administration of justice system
    1. Law enforcement
    2. Judicial
    3. Corrections
    4. Private sector
  7. Describe the historical foundation of the criminal law process
    1. World history of criminal justice.
    2. United States history of criminal justice.
      1. Constitution
      2. Legislature
      3. Executive
      4. Judicial
    3. Substantive law
    4. Procedural law
    5. Sanctions imposed upon criminal conviction
  8. Define and evaluate professionalism in the criminal justice field
    1. Canons and codes of ethics
    2. Responsibilities to society
    3. Discretionary powers
    4. Critical thinking
  9. Analyze and critique modern trends in the field of administration of justice
    1. Current
    2. Future
    3. Changing face of the Justice System (more women/minorities)
    4. Domestic and international terrorism (individual and organizations)
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