Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    CJ&

 Course #:    105

 Credits:    3

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    3

 CIP:    430103

 EPC:    832

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Overview of evolution of corrections and the criminal justice system with discussion of penology. Explores punishment and sentencing in the U.S. and the alternatives with a study of various correctional systems and types of individuals passing through them. Examines prisoner rights and legalities and problems involved in managing a correctional facility, and covers aspects of probation and parole as they apply to the criminal justice system. Discusses societal issues and the challenges of diversity within the correctional system.

 Prerequisite  

None

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree, Elective  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain penology, the origins of corrections and prisons, and their necessity in society.
2. Explain many of the ideologies and models associated with corrections.
3. Differentiate the differences between punishment, sentencing, parole and probation.
4. Explain the differences in detention in jail, prisons, and youth facilities.
5. Discuss the alternatives to incarceration.
6. Relate the controversies surrounding the release of prisoners into society.
7. Describe the issues in diversity which are continually present within the prison population.
8. Explain the position of women and special needs offenders in relation to the normal prison population.
9. Develop an understanding of prisoners� rights and related legal issues in corrections.
10. Discuss the direction of corrections as we enter the 21st century.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.4 Evaluate issues (for example economic, legal, historic, social) surrounding the use of information.
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.6 Recognize how the value and biases in different disciplines can affect the ways in which data is analyzed.
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.5 Adapt to and function effectively in communities and cultures different from one's own.
4.6 Utilize ethical practice in relation to diverse communities and cultures for the promotion of equity and social justice.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

1. Theoretical and historical context of corrections.
2. Examination of ideologies and models relevant to corrections.
3. Punishment and sentencing.
4. Parole and probation.
5. Jail vs. prison.
6. Human factor within the walls of incarceration.
7. Women, juvenile, and special needs offenders.
8. Special challenges for corrections.
9. Prisoners; rights and legal issues in corrections.
10. Society, corrections, and alternatives.
11. Corrections in the 21st century.