ADMJ 1501 Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course introduces the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces which have shaped those principals and approaches. The criminal justice system, structure, and process is examined in a cross-cultural context with emphasis placed on the structure and function of US police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, policing, sentencing, and incarceration policies and practices. This course contains subject matter that can be distressing or otherwise challenging to students. The course material is required to prepare students for the demands of criminal justice careers. Examinations of crimes, crime scenes, court legal opinions, case history and other relevant subject matter including the use of debate or other argumentation is necessary to advance the academic and legal education of this course. C-ID: AJ 110. Transfer Credit: CSU;UC