Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
CRIM 1100
Discontinued
No
Course Code
CRIM 1100
Descriptive
Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
Department
Criminology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201420
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
Lecture: 4 hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:  lectures, and may include field trips, guest speakers, audio-visual presentations, debates, and individual readings by students.

Course Description
This course provides an introductory analysis of the components and philosophy of the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Patterns of crime and victimization are studied and the criminal event will be followed through the system from detection to apprehension of the offender to the end of any formal or informal disposition. The structures, discretion, decisions and practices of the system, including statutory and voluntary agencies, community-based models and youth justice are examined. Current issues and reform initiatives will be reviewed.
Course Content
  1. The systems approach to the study of the Canadian Criminal Justice System.
  2. Compiling crime statistics and determining the crime rate.
  3. The various parts of the Canadian Criminal Justice System and the impact these parts have on the cases passing through the system.
    • services for victims
    • the police
    • the Criminal Code of Canada and related Statutes
    • the courts
    • probation and community corrections
    • jails and penitentiaries
    • conditional release
    • parole (federal and provincial)
  4. Current issues and challenges for reform such as:
    • criminal justice for youth
    • aboriginal justice
    • restorative justice
    • diversity
    • fear of crime
    • community-based policing
    • sentencing
    • community court
Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Analyze criminal justice from a systems perspective.
  2. Review patterns of crime and victimization
  3. Review the role of the public and the media in criminal justice
  4. Define the passage of an offender through the sub-components of the Canadian criminal justice system.
  5. Describe the structure and function of the following components of criminal justice:
    • the police
    • victim services
    • the courts
    • probation and community corrections
    • jails and penitentiaries
    • parole (federal and provincial)
  6. Identify current criminal justice issues and challenges for reform.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Mid Term              30%
Final Exam              30%
Term Paper              25%
Group Presentation              15%
Total            100%
Textbook Materials

Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:

  • Curt T. Griffiths, 2007. Canadian Criminal Justice: A Primer, 3rd Ed. Scarborough: Thomson Nelson.
  • Roberts, Julian and Grossman, Michelle, 2008. Criminal Justice in Canada: A Reader, 3rd Ed. Scarborough: Thomson Nelson.
  • Schmalleger, F. et. al. (2004). Canadian Criminal Justice Today, (2nd ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Education Canada.