Fall 2025
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Approved: TNS 8/21/25 Introduction to Criminal Justice (CJSA 1322 9G1) CREDIT 3 semester credit hours (3 hours lecture) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: NONE COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent, and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes. This course is time-bound, structured and completed totally online COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system. 2. Explain the nature and extent of crime in America. 3. Analyze the impact and consequences of crime. 4. Evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system. 5. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Timothy Dinger Email: timothy.dinger@gccisd.net Office Phone: 281-421-4400 x86860 Office Location: Room SW210 Office Hours: 7AM-3PM REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS 1. CJ5 by Larry K. Gaines and Roger L. Miller, 5th edition, Cengage Learning, ISBN 9781305661196 ATTENDANCE POLICY GCCISD Policy will be followed DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 08-25-25 Meet your classmates 09-02-25 Chapter 1-Criminal Justice Today 09-08-25 Chapter 2 -the Crime Picture: Theories and Trends 09-12-25 Chapter 2 Assignment Due 09-09-25 Chapter 3 Defining and Measuring Crime and Inside Criminal Law 09-19-25 Chapter 3 Assignment Due EXAM 1 09-12-25 Chapter 4-Law Enforcement Today Chapter 5-Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing 9-23-25 Chapter 4 and 5 Assignments Due 09-16-25 Chapter 6-Police and the Constitution-the Rule of Law Enforcement 9-26-25 EXAM 2 09-22-25 Chapter 7 -Courts and the Quest for Justice Chapter 8- Pretrial Procedures and the Criminal Trial 10-11-25 Chapter 8 Assignment Due 10-1-25 Chapter 9 -Punishment and Sentencing 10-18-25 Chapter 9 Assignment Due 10-06-25 Chapter 10 Probation, Parole, and Intermediate Sanctions 10-20-25 Chapter 10 Assignment 1and 2 Due EXAM 3 10-13-25/ 10-17-25 Fall Break—No students on campus 10-20-25 Chapter 11 Prisons and Jails 10-27-25 Chapter 12 The Prison Experience and Prisoner Reentry 11-14-25 Chapter 12 Assignment 1&2 Due 11-03-25 Chapter 13 The Juvenile Justice System 11-21-25 11-17-25 Chapter 14 Todays Challenges in Criminal Justice 12-1-25 Test 4 11-24-25/ 11-28-25 Student Holiday 11-21-25 Preparing Course Project 12-02-25 Turning in Course Project 12-05-25 Research Assignment COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Assignments 40% 2. Tests 40% 3. Paper/Project 20% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum- computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or Wi-Fi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. You must log onto Blackboard and access this course a minimum of three times per week. 2. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. 3. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and dropping the course. If you stop logging-in to the course and do not complete the course drop process, then you will receive an “F” grade for the course 4. Internet Usage – Students are expected to use proper net etiquette while participating in course emails, assignment submissions, and online discussions.