Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Department & Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
ADJUS 120
Introduction to Administration of Justice
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
54
3
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course is designed as a career development course that will prepare the student for a career in public safety by
examining the history and philosophy of justice as it evolved throughout the world. The course will also provide an
overview of America’s criminal justice system and its sub-systems; roles and role expectations of criminal justice
professionals; theories of crime causation, punishment and rehabilitation; ethics, and multicultural awareness and
education.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of criminological theories used to explain crime and criminality;
2. Explain the methods, theories, and concepts associated with the sources of crime data, the emerging patterns of
criminal activity, and the costs of crime;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, development, and structure, and function of American police, courts,
and corrections;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, structure, and function of the police;
5. Convey an understanding of the process of adjudication;
6. Show an understanding of corrections including the roles of probation, parole, and community corrections; as well
as the functions of prisons and jails;
7. Identify and describe special issues in the criminal justice system involving juvenile delinquency, drugs, and the
future development;
8. Critically analyze and discuss issues of crime and justice from varying perspectives;
9. Utilize conclusions from scholarly research in creating informed positions on controversial issues in criminal
justice;
10.Demonstrate the ability to raise critically relevant questions based on independent reading of criminal justice
literature;
11. Effectively follow the appropriate writing style practiced in the social sciences;
12. Explain the definitions of crime
13. Demonstrate an understanding of the extent of the crime problem in America.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will identify a career in ADJUS.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the criminal justice system works.
Students will demonstrate research methods and writing.
Students will be prepared for employment opportunities as a result of resume, employment opportunities and oral
interview development.
Students will develop an employment portfolio.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Study Skills – Career Orientation
Overview of the Criminal Justice System.
Understanding the Criminal Justice System
Crime and Victimization
Law Enforcement
Courts and Sentencing
Punishment and Corrections
The Future of the Criminal Justice System
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
N/A
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture (Live or online podcasts)
Demonstrations, discussion
Group work
Audio-visual instruction
Self-paced computer projects
D2L Learning Management System
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Justification Statement:
Criminal Justice in America
Cole, Smith and Dejong
Cengage Publishing
7th/ 2014
13
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48 -54hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
 State mandates that sample assignments must be included on the Course Outline of Record.
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Students will read one chapter from the text book weekly and complete the homework quiz associated with the
chapter. Students will also study for the midterm and final exams.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Students will prepare a employment portfolio which will consist of a autobiography, reference to three possible
career of interest and the minimal and preferred qualifications for those careers, a resume and an education plan
prepared with a counselor towards a program award.
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
The student will participate on online discussion boards for each module of this course
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
The student will develop a research paper using APA formatting. In addition, they will develop a presentation from
the paper.
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
10
40
50
%
%
%
%
Discussion/ Research
Written and oral assignments
Examinations
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Pass / No Pass
x Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Prepared by: R. Ramos
Date: 11/4/13
Revised form 10/13
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass