AAS Criminal Justice Studies

This course lays the foundation for a solid understanding of the components, processes, and functions of the justice system in the United States. The focus of the course is an overview of the justice process:u00a0 law enforcement, courts, and corrections.u00a0 Topics include the history, structure, functions and philosophy of the justice system and its relationship to the three branches of government.u00a0 The roles and ethical responsibilities of key players in the justice system are examined, such as judges, juries, attorneys, law enforcement, and corrections officials.

Focusing on the functions of contemporary law enforcement agencies and services, this course provides a comprehensive overview of law enforcement's role in the justice system.u00a0 Topics include the history and scope of American law enforcement; law enforcement cultures, with a focus on effectiveness, accountability, and ethics; and organization and leadership.u00a0 Law enforcement interactions with the community are examined.u00a0 Careers and the hiring process in law enforcement are discussed.

This course focuses on the philosophies governing the corrections system in the United States and the daily operation and administration of facilities.u00a0 The evolution of sentencing, incarceration, community corrections, and special populations are explored.u00a0 Students will discover the range of technology used within corrections.

This course examines practical security and risk management in the 21st century.u00a0 Students will explore a variety of current issues regarding loss prevention, personal safety, and digital security in the private sector.u00a0 Students will be exposed to the various agencies, businesses, and corporations involved in monitoring and managing risk conditions and their relationship with law enforcement.u00a0 Current types of technology that impact security efforts will be examined.u00a0 Assessing and communicating security risks, corporate information, communication systems, operations, and transportation will also be explored.

This course examines delinquency theories, offenders, processing, treatment procedures, and juvenile corrections in the juvenile justice system.u00a0 Complex issues presented in today's juvenile justice system are explored, such as diversion programs, mentoring programs, teen courts, and prevention.u00a0 Students will have an opportunity to discuss approaches to alternative sentencing and judicial waivers as well as the adjudication of juvenile offenders.

Beginning with the historical evolution of criminal law, this course discusses the nature of criminal offenses against persons, property, and the public.u00a0 The course also analyzes the types of criminal defenses and an in-depth view of a wide variety of crimes.u00a0 Topics include the purpose, nature, and history of law, the elements of crime, and criminal defenses.

This course provides an overall introduction to the history, principles, and theories of criminology.u00a0 This course presents standard approaches to criminology, research methods utilized in the field, as well as the biological, psychological, biosocial, and sociological roots of crime.u00a0 Real-life cases and high-profile crimes will be critically analyzed.

This course in criminal investigation examines investigative tools, concepts, and protocols.u00a0 Students are introduced to the history, methods, and processes of standard criminal investigation.u00a0 Topics covered in the course include collecting evidence, interrogation, laboratory services, digital evidence, reporting, and effective methods of surveillance.u00a0 The modern technology utilized in criminal investigations will be highlighted.u00a0 Professionalism and ethical considerations will also be addressed.

This course focuses on the criminal court system and processes, as well as the constitutional rights of criminal defendants as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court.u00a0 Students will learn to distinguish between due process and crime control perspectives as well as the impact of ethics on criminal procedure.u00a0 Students also will evaluate criminal procedure from first contact to appeal, as well as the roles of prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys throughout the process.

This course is an introduction to the writing process and the formulation of appropriate workplace communication, as well as the essentials of essay writing. Instruction in effective academic and career reading strategies are introduced, along with basic information literacy skills to retrieve, evaluate, and appropriately use the ideas of others.

This course introduces students to the basic use of computer hardware and software, electronic communication, and the Internet. Students will develop and utilize their technical knowledge, skills, and abilities in working with office technology in order to efficiently perform tasks and complete projects for contemporary academic, professional, and personal use. Students will apply fundamental theoretical, analytical, and problem solving strategies to advance their understanding of computer literacy.

This course will help students learn and apply concepts relating to various workplace situations. Learners will gain a fundamental understanding of the connectivity across course disciplines that incorporate numerical calculations, ratios, proportions, percent, measurement, algebraic concepts, and the ability to visually communicate numerical information.

The internship provides students with valuable field experience under the supervision and evaluation of a cooperating facility and the College. Students apply knowledge and skills gained in the career program for 90 hours at the host site. Students also dedicate 45 total hours for program coordination purposes, evaluation of the internship experience, and refinement of their portfolio.

This course introduces students to the basic tenets of the communication process and the necessity of effective communication in order to achieve academic, professional (career), social, and personal goals. Students will consider factors which influence the achievement of those goals for academic, professional (career), social, and personal success, as well as for the creation of productive learning communities and students' transformation into agile, lifelong learners.

In this course, students are instructed in the various rhetorical modes of academic essay writing, including informative, persuasive, and research-based papers. In addition to academic writing, students are introduced to oral presentations. Students learn to examine the purpose and audience of written and oral communications and craft appropriate messages. Students will also refine their revising and proofreading skills.

This course helps students develop quantitative literacy skills for personal and professional lives. Students will use reasoning and mathematical methods to find solutions to real-world problems. Students will use algebraic, financial, proportional, probabilistic, and statistical methods to draw conclusions and/or make decisions.

In this course students will review career development theory as it relates to the decision- making and planning processes. Students will consider their competencies and behaviors when searching for internship and career entry positions. Learners will process feedback on their self-marketing techniques and input regarding career development practices.