ASSIGNMENTS FOR INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Each of the fifteen lessons contains a series of reading assignments and websites to allow students to develop a richer appreciation of American criminal justice. In addition, the lesson assignments provide several concept and essay questions for students to answer. Finally, the lessons provide students with a unique opportunity to participate in interactive lectures and debates about criminal justice. Recall that students are required to write all course assignments in their own words, except on the few occasions where they find it necessary to use, quote, and cite authorities.

Discussion topics corresponding with the following course sections will be posted in the WebCT portion of the course. Please click for information on how to get into WebCT.

• Criminal Justice In America--A Free and Peaceful Society

• (a) Interactive Lecture (1/11); (b) Interactive Debate (1/13)

• Crime, Control and Process--Theories of Criminal Justice

• (a) Interactive Lecture (1/18); (b) Interactive Debate (1/20)

• The Annual Scope of Crime--Nature and Extent of Crime

• (a) Interactive Lecture (1/25); (b) Interactive Debate (1/27)

• Theories of Social Deviance--Explaining Deviant Conduct 

• (a) Interactive Lecture (2/01); (b) Interactive Debate (2/03)

• Criminal Law and Defenses--Major Principles of Legality

• (a) Interactive Lecture (2/08); (b) Interactive Debate (2/10)

• Examination for the Section--Multiple Choice and Essays

• Policing Roles and Agencies--The Mission and Structures

• (a) Interactive Lecture (2/15); (b) Interactive Debate (2/17)

• Law Enforcement Functions--Patrol and Other Strategies

• (a) Interactive Lecture (2/22);  (b) Interactive Debate (2/24)

• Police, Policing and the Law--Police and the Rule of Law

• (a) Interactive Lecture (3/01); (b) Interactive Debate (3/03)

• Courts, Judges and Lawyers--Legal Structure and Players

• (a) Interactive Lecture (3/08); (b) Interactive Debate (3/10)

• The Pretrial and Trial Stages--The Charge, Plea and Trial

• (a) Interactive Lecture (3/22); (b) Interactive Debate (3/24) 

• Examination for the Section--Multiple Choice and Essays

• Sentencing and Punishment--Penal Theories and Methods

• (a) Interactive Lecture (4/05); (b) Interactive Debate (4/07)

• The Intermediate Sanctions--Probation and other Policies

• (a) Interactive Lecture (4/12); (b) Interactive Debate (4/14)

• Prisons, Jails and Prisoners--The System of Incarceration

• (a) Interactive Lecture (4/19); (b) Interactive Debate (4/21)

• Conditions of Confinement--Prison Culture and the Law

• (a) Interactive Lecture (4/26); (b) Interactive Debate (4/28)

• Parole, Release and Reform--Life following Incarceration

• (a) Interactive Lecture (5/03); (b) Interactive Debate (5/05)

• Examination for the Section--Multiple Choice and Essays

Home-Page | LCSC | Web-Page
Page Manager: gtstraughan@lcsc.edu
Last page revision date: 01/21/05