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Course Syllabus

CJ 1300 Introduction to Corrections

  • Division: Social and Behavioral Science
  • Department: Behavioral Science
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: N/A
  • Corequisites: N/A
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2024
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2029
  • Optimum Class Size: 40
  • Maximum Class Size: 130

Course Description

Introduction to Corrections will provide the student with a comprehensive examination of the main aspects of Corrections in America. The course of study will include a historical perspective, a demographic examination, and a study of correctional practices within the major correctional institutions of the American communities. This course is offered as in-class, online and concurrent enrollment.

Justification

This course is part of the Criminal Justice curriculum and similar courses exist at USHE institutions. CJ 1300 is designed to fulfill a part of the lower division course for a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Evaluate contemporary and/or historical problems using appropriate Criminal Justice Corrections discipline specific research methodology.
  2. Describe and analytically compare Criminal Justice Corrections discipline's different social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, or historical settings and processes.
  3. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context of Criminal Justice Corrections.
  4. Write and/or demonstrate effectively within the (appropriate) social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena.

Course Content

Throughout this course the student will: Examine the historical and evolution perspectives of corrections; Understand correctional philosophies as a dynamic concept; Learn the broad framework within which corrections can be analyzed; Become familiar with the law as it applies to corrections; Be able to differentiate between the separate authorities and types of correctional institutions in operation in America; Understand the philosophical goals of corrections as applied to different correctional clients; Examine the growth and related problems of the American Correctional system; Assess options to incarceration as correctional measures; Gain perspective on potential careers in corrections; Become exposed to operational routines in correctional facilities. The practice of corrections in America has become increasingly problematic due to the differences that exists in correctional facilities. Intro to Corrections seeks to understand and explain these challenging issues that occur within the prison system.