Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Department & Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
ADJUS 124
Introduction to Corrections
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 survey course will explore the history, development and philosophy of various theories and practices of punishment,
rehabilitation, and community protection, as well as methods used to modify deviant behavior. In addition, students will explore
employment opportunities in the correctional field.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Explain and critique the development of the Correctional System.
Compare and contrast the various organizations within the Correctional System.
Diagnose offender types.
Explain and evaluate sentencing procedures.
Critique the history and development of prisons.
Compare and contrast probation and parole.
Analyze and describe the path of women in the correctional process.
Describe, analyze and argue both sides of the death penalty.
Critique and evaluate the role of the private sector in corrections.
Discuss and predict the future trends of Corrections in California and the U.S.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Demonstrate understanding of the use of Risks/Needs Assessment forms.
Students will identify career opportunities in corrections and develop career and education plans associated with employment in
corrections.
Demonstrate understanding of the organization of correctional institutions on a Federal, State and Local level, as well as
correctional terminology.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
The development of the correctional system
Organizations within the correctional system
Offender types
Sentencing procedures
The history and development of prisons.
Probation and parole
The path of women in the correctional process
The death penalty
The role of the private sector in corrections
The future trends of corrections in California and the U.S.
Exploring employment opportunities in corrections
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture (Live and Online)
Guest Speakers and field trips
Written and oral learning exercises
Group work
D2L Learning management system to manage all functions of this course as a distance ed course
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:
American Corrections Today
Siegel and Bartollas
Wadsworth/Cengage
2nd/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 per week from the text and participate in an associated homework quiz. Upon
completion of the quiz, students are required to research any incorrect answers resulting from the first attempt and
retake the homework quiz. Students are required to develop a study notebook which will assist them in the midterm
and final examination of this course.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
3
Students are required to develop an employment portfolio made up of semi weekly writing assignments including: an
autobiography, a resume, job opportunities in corrections and an education plan as a result of meeting with a CTE
counselor. In addition, research project will be required including field trip reports, risk/needs assessments and topic
papers.
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Students will participate in online discussions that require them to conduct research or refer to the lecture and
textbook.
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
50
30
20
%
%
%
%
Testing
Written assignments
Discussions/ participation
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: S14
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