CRJS 1500 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 41948,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Latricia Kyle
Email: llkyle@ysu.edu
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Criminal Justice: An Introduction (14th edition) | Frank Schmalleger | 9780138105358 |
Read Chapter 1: What is Criminal Justice?
Read Chapter 2: The Crime Picture
Read Chapter 3: Criminal Law
Read Chapter 4: Policing: Agencies and Structure
Read Chapter 5: Policies: Purpose and Organization
Read Chapter 6: Policing: Legal Aspects
Read Chapter 7: Policing: Issues and Challenges
Read Chapter 8: The Courts: Structure and Participants
Read Chapter 9: Pretrial Activities and the Criminal Trial
Read Chapter 10: Sentencing
Read Chapter 11: Probation, Parole, and Reentry
Read Chapter 12: Prisons and Jails
Read Chapter 13: Prison Life
Read Chapter 14: Justice-Involved Youth
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
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Read Chapter 1: What Is Criminal Justice? Read Chapter 2: The Crime Picture |
The Role of the Criminal Justice System in Maintaining Social Order | Chapter 2 Discussion Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday. DQ closes on 08/31/2026 Quiz 1 due 08/31/2026 Quiz 2 due 08/31/2026 |
| 8/31 | Read Chapter 3: Criminal Law Read Chapter 4: Policing: Agencies and Structure |
The Difference Between Felonies and Misdemeanors and Why It Matters | Chapter 3 Discussion: Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday. Do not submit a file to the discussion forum closes on 09/06/2026 Quiz 3 due 09/06/2026 Quiz 4 due 09/06/2026 |
| 9/7 | Read Chapter 5: Policing: Purpose and Organization Read Chapter 6: Policing: Legal Aspects |
Police Authority, Citizen Rights, and Legal Limitations | Chapter 6 Discussion: Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday. Do not submit a file to the discussion forum closes on 09/14/2026 Quiz 5 due 09/14/2026 Quiz 6 due 09/14/2026 |
| 9/14 | Read Chapter 7: Policing: Issues and Challenges Read Chapter 8: The Courts: Structure and Participants |
Contemporary Challenges in Policing and Community Trust | Quiz 7 due 09/21/2026 Quiz 8 due 09/21/2026 Midterm: 09/21/2026 |
| 9/21 | Read Chapter 9: Pretrial Activities and the Criminal Trial Read Chapter 10: Sentencing |
The Criminal Process from Arrest to Verdict | Week 5: Chapter 9 Assignment – 40 points Closes on 09/28/2026 Quiz 9 due 09/28/2026 Quiz 10 due 09/28/2026 |
| 9/28 | Read Chapter 11: Probation, Parole, and Reentry Read Chapter 12: Prisons and Jails |
Purposes and Operations of Correctional Institutions | Chapter 12 discussion Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday. Do not submit a file to the discussion forum Closes on 10/05/2026 Quiz 11 due 10/05/2026 Quiz 12 due 10/05/2026 |
| 10/5 | Read Chapter 13: Prison Life Read Chapter 14: Justice-Involved Youth |
Impact of Institutional Life on Inmate Behavior and Rehabilitation | Quiz 13 due 10/11/2026 Quiz 14 due 10/11/2026 Final Exam 10/11/2026 |
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.