CRJ 325: Ethics in Criminal Justice

Course Description

Ethics in Criminal Justice is designed to give students a foundation to the basic ethical concepts and issues that arise in various aspects of the field.  In this course, students will explore and form an understanding of the concepts of morality, fairness, equity and justice as they relate to policing, the courts, punishment and policy making.  Students will be able to develop a familiarity with the cause and effect of ethical decision making through the use of case studies, current events and discussions.  (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • CRJ 101: Criminal Justice
  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the basic ethical concepts and frameworks used in ethical decision-making.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of how fundamental ethical concepts are utilized in policing, criminal courts, and corrections.
  3. Examine the role that race, ethnicity, and gender may play a role in the administration of justice.
  4. Distinguish between legal issues and ethical issues.
  5. Relate current events (both domestic and international) to basic ethical concepts.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Current Events Project (Week 3)

20%

Midterm Exam (Week 4)

25%

Current Events Project (Week 7)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,4

Topic: An Introduction to Justice

  • Review Getting Started information
  • Review course syllabus
  • Read and review the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions

2

1,2

Topic: Ethical Issues in Law Enforcement (General)

  • Read and review the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions

3

1,2,3,5

Topics: Racial Discrimination in Policing

  • Read the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 3 Current Events Assignment 1

4

1-5

Topic: Feminist Ethics & Midterm Exam

  • Read the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 4 Midterm Exam

5

1,2,4

Topics: Punishment & The Aftermath

  • Read and review the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions

6

1,2,4

Topic: Corrections

  • Read and review the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions

7

2,4,5

Topics: Judges and Lawyers

  • Review the assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 7 Current Events Assignment 2

8

1-4

Topic: Conclusions

  • Read and Review:
    • None
  • Review the Lecture materials
  • Participate in the Discussions

03302023

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.