CRJ 325: Ethics in Criminal Justice

Course Description

This course will focus on the basic ethical concepts and issues that arise in various aspects of the field. 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. Through the use of case studies, current events, and discussion, students will be able to develop a familiarity with the cause and effect of ethical decision making. (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.

General Education Outcomes (GEOs)

Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments

Weight

Discussions (2.5 Pts, Weeks 1-7)

35%

Current Events Presentation (10 Pts., Week 3 & 6)

20%

Critical Analysis Paper (20 Pts., Week 4)

20%

Research Project (25 pts., Week 7)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Banks, Cyndi. Criminal Justice Ethics. 5th edition. Sage Publishing, Inc.: Thousand Oaks, CA, 2020. ISBN-13: 9781544353593

 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,4

Topic: Defining Ethics

Reading:

  • Chapter 1
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch video
  • Review the Lecture material

2

1,2,5

Topic: Police Ethics

Reading:

  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Chat

3

3,5

Topics: Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System

Reading:

  • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Current Events Presentation Due

4

1,2,4

Topic: The Courts

Reading:

  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Chat
  • Critical Analysis Paper Due

5

2,4

Topic: Corrections

Reading:

  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material

6

3,5

Topics: The media and the War on Terrorism

Reading:

  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Current Events Presentation Due
  • Participate in Group Chat

7

1,4

Topics: Duty, Principles and Consequences

Reading:

  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Research Project Due
  • Participate in Group Chat

8

1,3,5

Topics: Justice and Caring for Others

Reading:

  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Complete Course Evaluation

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.