Introduction to Criminal Justice

Learn imperative information about the U.S. criminal justice system, like the structure of the court system, the role of legal precedent, how laws are created, and about the juvenile justice system.

What you’ll learn

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Introduction to Criminal Justice

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

Introduction to Criminal Justice

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

About This Course

|
ACE Approved 2024

Our Introduction to Criminal Justice class examines the past, present, and future of the U.S. criminal justice system.

What You'll Learn

Explain the three components of the United States criminal justice system.

Contrast the due process and crime control model.

Explain crime measurements and costs.

Describe the history of law enforcement.

Explain the roles of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers.

Explain the structure of the American court system.

Identify the criminal court steps from arrest, conviction, to appeal.

Describe the history of the correctional system.

Identify correctional institutions at the local, state, and federal level.

Describe the future of criminal justice in America.

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Course Details

CJ101

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Introduction to Criminal Justice

Learn about different topics like how laws are created, the history and types of law enforcement, structure of the court system, and the changing philosophies of the U.S. correctional system. The role of legal precedent, the death penalty, prison life, and the juvenile justice system will also be discussed during this online Criminal Justice course.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Topic Subtopics
Law Enforcement, Courts, & Corrections
  • Crime in the United States
  • Criminal Justice: An Institution of Social Control
  • Criminal Justice: The System
  • Criminal Justice: The Nonsystem
Models & Cost of Criminal Justice
  • Crime control model
  • Due process model
  • Crime control v. Due Process
  • Costs of Criminal Justice
History of Law Enforcement
  • English Roots
  • The Development of American Law Enforcement
  • History of Four Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
Local, County, State, and Federal Law Enforcement
  • The Structure of American Law Enforcement
  • The Department of Homeland Security
  • American Private Security
Issues in Policing
  • Discretion
  • Job stress
  • Use of force
  • Police corruption
The American Court System
  • The American Court Structure
  • Key Actors in the Court Process
Substantive and Procedural Due Process
  • Pretrial stages
  • Plea bargaining
  • The Criminal Trial
History of Corrections
  • Historical Overview of Institutional Corrections
  • The Incercation Boom
Local, State, and Federal Corrections
  • Incarceration facilities
Future of the Criminal Justice System
  • The future of criminal justice
  • Criminal justice in the Age of Terrorism

Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

Assignments for this course include:

  • 10 Reflective Responses
  • 3 Case Studies
  • 1 Midterm Exam
  • 1 Final Exam


The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.


Bohm, Robert, and Keith Haley. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 10th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2021. ISBN: 9781260253870

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