CRJS 1500 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41947,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Tammy A. King, Ph.D.
Email: taking@ysu.edu
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required |
Criminal Justice: An Introduction, Schmalleger, Frank. (2024). 14t Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. ISBN 9780138105358
Course Materials are available in Blackboard:
• Select this course
• Find Books & Tools on the left side of the screen
• Click - View course and institutional tools
• Click - Course Materials
• You will see your textbook (you may Opt In for $55.12); please decide if this option works best for you
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 1 - What is Criminal Justice? | ||
| 8/31 | Chapter 2 - The Crime Picture | Group Assignments provided - Groups meet with Teaching Assistant | |
| 9/7 | Chapter 3 - Criminal Law No Class - Monday, September 7, Labor Day |
||
| 9/14 | Chapter 4 - Policing: Agencies and Structure Introduction to Chapter 5 - Policing: Purpose and Organization |
||
| 9/21 | Chapter 5 - Policing: Purpose and Organization | September 21 - Groups Meet with Teaching Assistant last 30 minutes of class Exam I - Wednesday, September 23 (Chapters 1 - 5) |
Exam I - possible 150 points |
| 9/28 | Chapter 6 - Policing: Legal Aspects | ||
| 10/5 | Chapter 7 - Policing: Issues and Challenges | ||
| 10/12 | Chapter 8 - The Courts: Structure and Participants | October 14 - Groups meet with Teaching Assistant last 30 minutes of class | |
| 10/19 | Chapter 9 - Pretrail Activities and the Criminal Trial Introduction to Chapter 10 - Sentencing |
||
| 10/26 | Chapter 10 - Sentencing | Exam II - Wednesday, October 28 (Chapters 6 - 10) | Exam II - possible 150 points |
| 11/2 | Chapter 11 - Probation, Parole, and Reentry | November 4 - Groups meet with Teaching Assistant last 30 minutes of class | |
| 11/9 | Chapter 12 - Prisons and Jails No Class - Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day |
||
| 11/16 | Chapter 13 - Prison Life Introduction to Chapter 14 - Justice-Involved Youth |
||
| 11/23 | Chapter 14 - Justice-Involved Youth No Class - Wednesday, November 25, University Open |
November 23 - Groups meet with Teaching Assistant last 30 minutes of class | |
| 11/30 | Presentations - Current Events, Groups Projects | Current Events, Group Projects possible 150 points | |
| 12/7 | Exam III - Monday, December 7, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm (Chapters 11 - 14) | Exam III - possible 150 points |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.