CRIM-101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
A survey of the history, philosophy, and social development of police, courts, and corrections in a democratic society. Identification and operations of local, state, and federal agencies will be covered with criminal justice career orientation.
Hours Weekly
3 hours weekly
Course Objectives
- 1. Define crime and understand its elements according to legal definition.
- 2. Examine crime statistics through the use of UCR, NCS and self-report surveys and specifically
analyze the crime statistics of Maryland and Howard County. - 3. Identify methods of research and the limitations of each method.
- 4. Examine crime control versus due process both theoretically and as it relates to public policy.
- 5. Describe the major crime causation theories and the public policy responses to each of these.
- 6. Distinguish between substantive and procedural criminal law and elements of each.
- 7. Identify the criminal defenses and their relation to mens rea.
- 8. Identify the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments and major court cases related to each.
- 9. Analyze "search and seizure", exclusionary ruling, and warrantless searches.
- 10. Describe the administration of justice through stages of investigation, arrest, booking, initial
appearance, preliminary hearing, indictment, arraignment trial, and sentencing.
- 11. Examine the history and functions of police.
- 12. Examine and evaluate policing issues and trends.
- 13. Describe the roles played by prosecuting and defense attorneys.
- 14. Examine the court proceedings, the trial process, and the post-trial procedures.
- 15. Examine and evaluate standardized and alternative sentences including fines, probation,
incarceration, death, community service, electronic monitoring, etc. - 16. Analyze the criminal justice system as it relates to politics, the media, and the community in
general. - 17. Identify employment opportunities and requirements in the criminal justice field.
Course Objectives
- 1. Define crime and understand its elements according to legal definition.
- 2. Examine crime statistics through the use of UCR, NCS and self-report surveys and specifically
analyze the crime statistics of Maryland and Howard County. - 3. Identify methods of research and the limitations of each method.
- 4. Examine crime control versus due process both theoretically and as it relates to public policy.
- 5. Describe the major crime causation theories and the public policy responses to each of these.
- 6. Distinguish between substantive and procedural criminal law and elements of each.
- 7. Identify the criminal defenses and their relation to mens rea.
- 8. Identify the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments and major court cases related to each.
- 9. Analyze "search and seizure", exclusionary ruling, and warrantless searches.
- 10. Describe the administration of justice through stages of investigation, arrest, booking, initial
appearance, preliminary hearing, indictment, arraignment trial, and sentencing.
- 11. Examine the history and functions of police.
- 12. Examine and evaluate policing issues and trends.
- 13. Describe the roles played by prosecuting and defense attorneys.
- 14. Examine the court proceedings, the trial process, and the post-trial procedures.
- 15. Examine and evaluate standardized and alternative sentences including fines, probation,
incarceration, death, community service, electronic monitoring, etc. - 16. Analyze the criminal justice system as it relates to politics, the media, and the community in
general. - 17. Identify employment opportunities and requirements in the criminal justice field.