Course Syllabus
Course: CJ 1340
Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Social Science
Title: Criminal Investigation
Semester Approved: Spring 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
End Semester: Fall 2029
Catalog Description: This course will introduce the student to the criminal investigation process. The legal, technical, and administrative aspects of criminal investigative process will provide the student with an understanding of the complexities and challenges inherent in this process.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence
Justification: This course is required for an associate degree in Criminal Justice. This course is designed to meet lower division requirements for a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and is transferable to all schools within the USHE system.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to examine the historical and practical development of modern day Criminal Investigative philosophies and practices. Research and Essay questions will be assessed by the instructor. The student will conduct research on selected questions on the various subject areas from the text. The student will submit written responses to these discussion questions on Canvas.
The student will be able to become familiar with the legal and procedural rules and boundaries which describe the potentials and limitations of Criminal Investigations. The instructor will assess discussion questions by requiring students to answer, in writing, selected questions from the assigned readings and class discussions. The assessment will include quality of writing, relevance of response, articulation, and grasp of the topic.
The student will be able to understand the skills, qualifications, and characteristics of a competent and successful investigator. Class Participation and progress will be gauged by adherence to the assignment schedule. Students are authorized to work ahead if so desired. The student will demonstrate through research and essay questions on the skills learned.
The student will be able to experience the ethical challenges and legal/moral dilemmas faced by Investigators in everyday work and unique cases. For the final project, students must conduct research on a selected criminal case and submit a case study that is modeled by past class participation.
Content:
The course will cover and present the conceptual, philosophical, and practical, legal, and procedural aspects of Criminal Investigations within the criminal justice framework. This framework can create a more robust understanding of the role of disadvantaged groups in the American legal system. This course seeks to educate and benefit people from marginalized groups. Any Criminal Justice student will benefit from this course of study. Any person who is employed in the criminal justice system must have a working knowledge of the components and functions of the criminal investigative process. This course of study is included in all higher education curriculum and Criminal Justice basic and advanced training programs.
Key Performance Indicators:
Discussion Questions 20 to 30%
Research and Essay Questions 20 to 40%
Final Project 20 to 40%
Class Participation 20 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Criminal Investigation, Michael D. Lyman, current edition.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will be taught by lecture, discussion, group work, written assignments and research, and projects which require practical application. These varying methods of instruction lead to an inclusive classroom that will enable students of all learning types to grow and flourish in a classroom setting.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Online
Maximum Class Size: 35
Optimum Class Size: 25
