Faculty Syllabus

Course Policies

• Attendance: 10 points earned for each class attended. 5 points deducted for tardiness after 15 minutes. It is your responsibility to log on at least three separate times on three different days to check announcements. Failure to do so is not a valid excuse for late assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances. It is the best way to stay on track.
   
• Late Work: Not accepted. All assignments for the week are due the following Sunday 11:59pm
   
• Make-Up Exams: Extenuating circumstances that preclude a student from taking an exam on the specified date must be arranged at least one calendar week ahead of time with the instructor. Alternate date and time (if granted) will be arranged.
   
• Classroom Etiquette: Students shall abide by standards and rules set forth by Austin Community College. Students are expected to be attentive during class time and always respectful with words and actions.

Required Texts & Materials

• Introduction to Criminal Justice, 10th Edition By Robert Bohm and Keith Haley ISBN10: 1260253872 | ISBN13: 9781260253870
• Software/Tools Required: Blackboard Ultra

Course Description

This foundational course explores the structure, function, and processes of the American criminal justice system, drawing from Bohm’s Introduction to Criminal Justice. Students will examine the roles of law enforcement, courts, and corrections, while analyzing key concepts such as due process, criminal law, and contemporary justice issues. Through case studies and critical discussion, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of how justice is administered in society.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:         

• Explain the foundational components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections, and how they interact within the broader framework of justice administration.
• Analyze key legal concepts such as due process, criminal law, and constitutional protections, applying them to real-world scenarios and case studies.
• Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of criminal justice professionals, with attention to ethical standards, procedural fairness, and community impact.
• Trace the historical development of the U.S. criminal justice system and assess how historical events and legal precedents have shaped contemporary practices.
• Interpret crime data and trends, understanding how statistics influence policy decisions, resource allocation, and public perception.
• Critically assess current challenges in criminal justice, including issues of racial disparity, use of force, mass incarceration, and reform initiatives.
• Apply theoretical frameworks to understand criminal behavior and the societal responses to crime, drawing from criminological theories presented in the text.
• Demonstrate effective communication of criminal justice concepts through written analysis, assignments, and in-class collaborative discussion.