CRJS 1500 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 42042,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Irene Denney
Email: icdenney@ysu.edu
Course Description
1500. Introduction to Criminal Justice. Overview of the American criminal justice process with emphasis on its constituent foundations, its constitutional limits, and the rights of the individual from arrest through sentencing and release. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Criminal Justice: An Introduction. 14th Edition. 2024. | Schmalleger, Frank | 978-0-13-810535-8 |
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
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Intro to the Course | |
| Thu | 8/27 | Chapter 1: “Crime and Justice in America” | |
| Tue | 9/1 | Chapter 1: “Crime and Justice in America” | |
| Thu | 9/3 | Chapter 2: “Victimization and Criminal Behavior” | |
| Tue | 9/8 | Chapter 2: “Victimization and Criminal Behavior” | Homework 1 due on Blackboard by 11:59 PM |
| Thu | 9/10 | Chapter 3: “The Criminal Justice System” | |
| Tue | 9/15 | Chapter 3: “The Criminal Justice System” | |
| Thu | 9/17 | Chapter 4: “Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law” | |
| Tue | 9/22 | Chapter 4: “Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law” | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Review for Exam #1 | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Exam 1 | |
| Thu | 10/1 | Chapter 5: Police | |
| Tue | 10/6 | Chapter 5: Police | |
| Thu | 10/8 | Chapter 6: “Police Officers and Law Enforcement Operations” | |
| Tue | 10/13 | Chapter 7: “Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges” | Homework 2 due on Blackboard by 11:59 PM |
| Thu | 10/15 | Chapter 8: “Police and Constitutional Law” | |
| Tue | 10/20 | Chapter 8: “Police and Constitutional Law” | |
| Thu | 10/22 | Review for Exam 2 | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Exam 2 | |
| Thu | 10/29 | Chapter 9: “Courts and Pretrial Processes” | |
| Tue | 11/3 | Chapter 10: “Prosecution and Defense” | |
| Thu | 11/5 | Chapter 11: “Determination of Guilt: Plea Bargaining and Trials” | |
| Tue | 11/10 | Chapter 11: “Determination of Guilt: Plea Bargaining and Trials” | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Chapter 12: “Punishment and Sentencing” | Homework 3 due on Blackboard by 11:59 PM |
| Tue | 11/17 | Chapter 13: “Corrections” | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Chapter 13: “Corrections” | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Chapter 15: “Incarceration and Prison Society” | |
| Thu | 11/26 | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Chapter 16: “Reentry into the Community” | |
| Thu | 12/3 | Review for Final Exam/Exam #3 | |
| Tue | 12/8 | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | Exam 3 (1:00 to 3:00 PM) |
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.