Course Topical Outline
Weekly Course Schedule
Week | Topics |
Week 1 | Introduction to Criminal Justice: Definition and purpose of the criminal justice system; crime and justice; components of the criminal justice system; roles of criminal justice professionals |
Week 2 | Crime and Criminal Behavior: Definitions of crime; crime statistics; measuring crime; victimization; factors associated with criminal behavior |
Week 3 | Criminal Law: Sources and purposes of criminal law; elements of a crime; criminal intent; classifications of offenses; defenses to criminal charges |
Week 4 | Law Enforcement: History and development of policing; local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; police responsibilities and functions |
Week 5 | Police Operations: Patrol; investigations; traffic enforcement; community policing; police discretion; professionalism and ethics |
Week 6 | Courts and the Judicial Process: Structure of the court system; jurisdiction; judges; prosecutors; defense attorneys; courtroom personnel |
Week 7 | The Criminal Court Process: Arrest through trial; arraignment; bail and pretrial procedures; plea bargaining; discovery; trial procedures |
Week 8 | Constitutional Rights and Criminal Procedure: Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments; search and seizure; probable cause; reasonable suspicion |
Week 9 | Corrections: History and purposes of corrections; jails and prisons; probation; parole; community corrections |
Week 10 | Correctional Institutions: Prison operations; inmate classification; security levels; inmate rights; correctional officers; rehabilitation |
Week 11 | Sentencing and Alternatives to Incarceration: Sentencing philosophies; determinate and indeterminate sentencing; probation; diversion; restorative justice |
Week 12 | Juvenile Justice: History of the juvenile justice system; juvenile courts; juvenile law; delinquency; juvenile probation and corrections |
Week 13 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice: Juvenile delinquency, gangs, drugs, terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and emerging criminal justice issues |
Week 14 | Ethics and Professionalism: Ethical decision-making; corruption; misconduct; use of discretion; accountability; professional standards |
Week 15 | Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues: Criminal justice reform; technology; forensic evidence; community relations; current challenges facing criminal justice agencies |
Week 16 | Comprehensive Review and Final Examination |
Major Assignments and Assessments
Weeks 1–2: Criminal Justice System Terminology and Components Assignment
Students identify and explain the major components, agencies, and personnel within the criminal justice system.
Weeks 3–4: Criminal Law and Law Enforcement Case Study
Students analyze a criminal scenario and identify the applicable criminal law concepts and law enforcement responsibilities.
Weeks 5–6: Criminal Justice Agency Research Assignment
Students research a criminal justice agency and examine its organization, responsibilities, and role within the overall system.
Weeks 7–8: Criminal Procedure Case Analysis
Students analyze a fact pattern involving constitutional rights, arrest, search and seizure, or other criminal procedure issues.
Weeks 9–11: Corrections and Sentencing Case Study
Students examine a criminal case and analyze sentencing, incarceration, probation, parole, or alternative sanctions.
Week 12: Juvenile Justice Case Study
Students examine a juvenile justice scenario and identify the applicable juvenile justice procedures and agencies.
Weeks 13–14: Criminal Justice Current Issues Assignment
Students select a current criminal justice issue and evaluate its impact on law enforcement, courts, corrections, or the community.
Week 15: Comprehensive Course Review
Students review major concepts, terminology, constitutional principles, agencies, and processes covered throughout the semester.
Week 16: Final Examination
Final Examination
Date: TBA – Per Lamar State College Orange Academic Calendar
Time: TBA
Location: Livingston High School / LSCO-designated testing location
Format: Comprehensive examination covering the major concepts and learning outcomes of CJSA 1322-E11.
The final examination may include multiple-choice questions, scenario-based questions, short-answer questions, and application questions requiring students to demonstrate an understanding of the criminal justice system and its major components.
Note: The instructor reserves the right to adjust the weekly schedule, assignments, and assessment dates as necessary to accommodate the LSCO academic calendar, Livingston ISD calendar, school activities, holidays, instructional needs, or other circumstances. Students will be notified of significant changes in advance whenever possible.