Criminal Justice II

0356 – Criminal Justice II (.5 Unit)

Course Description

This one semester course is designed to enhance both the theoretical and educational concepts learned in Criminal Justice (0355).  This course will expand upon the three segments of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections, including study of their evolution, structure, agencies, career opportunities and requirements, responsibilities, and ethics.

Students are required to read articles periodically and submit a summary analysis.  The purpose of these article summaries is to make students aware of current events.  The article must be related to the criminal justice system in that it discusses one or more of the three components – law enforcement, courts, or corrections.  

Throughout the semester, students complete a series of projects that require an in-depth analysis of each of the three components of the criminal justice system.  Projects include may include the following:

1.      Chapter Project requires students to outline an assigned chapter from the textbook and prepare a Power Point presentation that the student presents to the class.

2.      Career Project allows students to choose a career within the criminal justice system and research the job requirements and responsibilities associated with their chosen career. 

3.      Courtroom Observation Project introduces students to students to the courtroom by seeing firsthand a court in session.  Students respond to a series of questions related to their observations in court. 

4.      Supreme Court Cases requires students to research major court cases that continue to have an impact on all three components of the criminal justice system.  Each student presents the case he or she researched to the class.  

5.      Corrections Model/Design Project

A number of guest speakers present information to the students and provide a perspective from a professional who is employed within the criminal justice system.  Guest speakers include police chiefs, investigators from local police departments and from the district attorney’s office, undercover narcotics officer, K-9 officer, and local judges. 

In addition to guest speakers, the students have the opportunity to see firsthand the criminal justice system in action through class field trips.  Field trips may include a visit to the Monroe County Jail or a local courtroom with court in session.