CRIJ 1301 - Intro to Criminal Justice
Spring 2025 Syllabus, Section 261, CRN 26338
Instructor Information
Norma Maldonado Garcia
Email: norma.garcia2@tamiu.edu
Office Hours:
Please email Professor for office hours
Times and Location
Course Description
Additional Course Information
Use of AI will not be allowed in this class.
Additional videos for assignments and other article readings will be posted on Blackboard.
Student Learning Outcomes
This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system. The primary goal of this course is to develop a general understanding of the criminal justice system and its response to crime in society today. Students will consider crime in the United States, explore the key elements of the criminal justice system (policing, courts, and corrections), and examine a number of special issues relevant to criminal justice today.
Important Dates
Visit the Academic Calendar (tamiu.edu) page to view the term's important dates.
Textbooks
Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Required | Criminal Justice Today (17th edition) | Schmalleger, Frank | 9780137910403 |
Grading Criteria
GRADE | PERCENTAGE |
A | 91-100 |
B | 80-90.9 |
C | 70-79.9 |
D | 60-69.9 |
F | Below 60 |
Open Boilerplate
ASSIGNMENT | VALUE |
Assignment #1 Murder Case 1 | 10% |
Assignment #2 Murder Case 2 | 10% |
Exam 1 | 15% |
Exam 2 | 15% |
Exam 3 | 15% |
Exam 4 | 15% |
Exam 5 | 15% |
In-class discussions | 5% |
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
Day | Date | Agenda/Topic | Reading(s) | Due |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wed | 1/22 | Introductions and review syllabus | ||
Mon | 1/27 | Review Chapter 1 What is Criminal Justice | ||
Wed | 1/29 | Review Chapter 1 continued In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Mon | 2/3 | Review Chapter 2 The Crime Picture | ||
Wed | 2/5 | Review Chapter 3 The Search for Causes In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Mon | 2/10 | Review Chapter 4 Criminal Law | ||
Wed | 2/12 | Review Chapters 1-4 Murder Case 1 information for midterm assignment |
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Mon | 2/17 | Exam 1 Chapters 1-4 | ||
Wed | 2/19 | Review Chapter 5 Policing: History and Structure | ||
Mon | 2/24 | Review Chapter 6 Policing: Purpose and Organization In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Wed | 2/26 | Review Chapter 7 Policing: Legal Aspects | ||
Mon | 3/3 | Review Chapter 8 Policing: Issues and Challenges | ||
Wed | 3/5 | Review Chapters 5-8 *guest speakers | ||
Mon | 3/10 | Spring Break | ||
Wed | 3/12 | Spring Break | ||
Mon | 3/17 | Exam 2 Chapters 5-8 | ||
Wed | 3/19 | Review Chapter 9 The Courts: Structure and Participants | ||
Mon | 3/24 | Review Chapter 10 Pretrial Activities and the Criminal Trial In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Wed | 3/26 | Review Chapter 11 Sentencing *guest speakers |
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Mon | 3/31 | Review Chapters 9-11 In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Wed | 4/2 | Murder Case 2 information for Final assignemt | ||
Mon | 4/7 | Exam 3 Chapters 9-11 | ||
Wed | 4/9 | Review Chapter 12 Probation, Parole, and Reentry In-class discussion due at end of class |
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Mon | 4/14 | Review Chapter 13 Prisons and Jails | ||
Wed | 4/16 | Review Chapter 14 Prison Life In-class discussion due at end of class Review Chapters 12-14 |
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Mon | 4/21 | Exam 4 Chapters 12-14 | ||
Wed | 4/23 | Review Chapter 15 Juvenile Justice |
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Mon | 4/28 | Murder Case 2 due | ||
Wed | 4/30 | Review Chapters 16 Drugs and Crime | ||
Mon | 5/5 | Reading Day | ||
Wed | 5/7 | Review Chapters 15-16 | ||
Mon | 5/12 | Exam 5 (final) Chapters 15-16 |
Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes
Core-Curriculum Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking Skills (CT) - creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
- Communication Skills (COM) - effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills (EQS) - manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
- Teamwork (TW) - ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
- Social Responsibility (SR) - intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
- Personal Responsibility (PR) - ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making
University/College Policies
Please see the University Policies below.