Criminal Justice (AA) Curriculum

This course examines a general overview of the criminal justice system, with an emphasis on decision points and administrative practices in police and other criminal justice agencies, as well as basic criminal procedures. Topics include: Causes of crime, criminal law, policing history and structure, police management and legal aspects, adjudication including the courts and sentencing, corrections drugs and crime, multinational criminal justice and the future of criminal justice.

This course introduces the student to the major theories of crime by exploring the biological, psychological, sociological and economic theories. Traditional and contemporary theories of criminology are examined to better explain patterns and root causes of crime, crimes against persons and property, white-collar and organized crime, drug abuse and crime, technology and crime, terrorism, and criminology and social policy.

This course provides an overview of police issues, integrating the history, social context and theoretical understanding of policing in America. Relationships between communities, individuals and police organizations are studied. Topics include: evolution of policing, organizational structure and supervision, societal expectations and police corruption.

This course evaluates the history and progression of correctional systems. Contemporary correctional practices are analyzed and evaluated using a historical perspective with a modern emphasis on community and institutional corrections. This course balances current and past research, theories and applications and practical examples and issues. Topics include: historical perspectives, the court process, alternatives to imprisonment, correctional functions, institutional clients, rights of correctional clients, reintegration systems and the future of corrections.

This course explores the evolution of the juvenile justice system and the different approaches followed by the court and correctional authorities. Current topics in juvenile justice include youth victimization, crime prevention, treatment and various juvenile sanctions. Distinction is made between the adult and juvenile system, with emphasis placed on the roles and functions of the juvenile justice system.