Criminal Justice

This course covers the basic skills and knowledge needed for entry-level employment as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina. Topics include those mandated by North Carolina Administration Code as essential for functioning in law enforcement. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate competence in the topics required for the state comprehensive certification examination.

This course introduces the components and processes of the criminal justice system. Topics include history, structure, functions, and philosophy of the criminal justice system and their relationship to life in our society. Upon completion, students should be able to define and describe the major system components and their interrelationships and evaluate career options.

This course introduces deviant behavior as it relates to criminal activity. Topics include theories of crime causation; statistical analysis of criminal behavior; past, present, and future social control initiatives; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain and discuss various theories of crime causation and societal response.

This course covers the juvenile justice system and related juvenile issues. Topics include an overview of the juvenile justice system, treatment and prevention programs, special areas and laws unique to juveniles, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss juvenile court structure/procedures, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, processing/detention of juveniles, and case disposition.

This course covers basic and special techniques employed in criminal justice interviews and interrogations. Emphasis is placed on the interview/interrogation process, including interpretation of verbal and physical behavior and legal perspectives. Upon completion, students should be able to conduct interviews/interrogations in a legal, efficient, and professional manner and obtain the truth from suspects, witnesses, and victims.

This course introduces fundamental law enforcement operations. Topics include the contemporary evolution of law enforcement operations and related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to explain theories, practices, and issues related to law enforcement operations.

This course covers the history/evolution/principles and contemporary applications of criminal law. Topics include sources of substantive law, classification of crimes, parties to crime, elements of crimes, matters of criminal responsibility, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss the sources of law and identify, interpret, and apply the appropriate statutes/elements.

This course covers judicial structure/process/procedure from incident to disposition, kinds and degrees of evidence, and the rules governing admissibility of evidence in court. Topics include consideration of state and federal courts, arrest, search and seizure laws, exclusionary and statutory rules of evidence, and other related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish a lawful arrest/search, proper judicial procedures, and the admissibility of evidence.

This course covers the history, major philosophies, components, and current practices and problems of the field of corrections. Topics include historical evolution, functions of the various components, alternatives to incarceration, treatment programs, inmate control, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the various components, processes, and functions of the correctional system.

This course introduces the concepts and methods related to commercial and private security systems. Topics include the historical, philosophical, and legal basis of security, with emphasis on security surveys, risk analysis, and associated functions. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate and understand security systems, risk management, and the laws relative to loss prevention.

This course identifies the fundamental reasons why America is a target for terrorists, covering various domestic/international terrorist groups and ideologies from a historical aspect. Emphasis is placed upon recognition of terrorist crime scene; weapons of mass destruction; chemical, biological, and nuclear terrorism; and planning considerations involving threat assessments. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss the methods used in terrorists' activities and complete a threat assessment for terrorists' incidents.

This course introduces the historical, organizational and practical aspects of Homeland Security. Topics include a historic overview, definitions and concepts, organizational structure, communications, technology, mitigation, prevention and preparedness, response and recovery, and the future of Homeland Security. Upon completion, students should be able to explain essential characteristics of terrorism and Homeland Security, and define roles, functions and interdependency between agencies.

This course covers ethical considerations and accepted standards applicable to criminal justice organizations and professionals. Topics include ethical systems; social change, values, and norms; cultural diversity; citizen involvement in criminal justice issues; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical considerations to the decision-making process in identifiable criminal justice situations.

This course introduces the study of victims. Emphasis is placed on roles/characteristics of victims, victim interaction with the criminal justice system and society, current victim assistance programs, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss and identify victims, the uniqueness of victims' roles, and current victim assistance programs.

This course introduces the theories and fundamentals of the investigative process. Topics include crime scene/incident processing, information gathering techniques, collection/preservation of evidence, preparation of appropriate reports, court presentations, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify, explain, and demonstrate the techniques of the investigative process, report preparation, and courtroom presentation.

This course covers the functions of the forensic laboratory and its relationship to successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. Topics include advanced crime scene processing, investigative techniques, current forensic technologies, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and collect relevant evidence at simulated crime scenes and request appropriate laboratory analysis of submitted evidence.

This course introduces the evolution of traditional and non-traditional organized crime and its effect on society and the criminal justice system. Topics include identifying individuals and groups involved in organized crime, areas of criminal activity, legal and political responses to organized crime, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the groups and activities involved in organized crime and the responses of the criminal justice system.

The course covers the impact of the Constitution of the United States and its amendments on the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the Constitution and its amendments, court decisions pertinent to contemporary criminal justice issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss the basic structure of the United States Constitution and the rights/procedures as interpreted by the courts.

This course covers liability issues for the criminal justice professional. Topics include civil rights violations, tort liability, employment issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain civil trial procedures and discuss contemporary liability issues.