CRJS 2602 - Criminal Courts
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 30567,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Dr. Bellas, Distinguished Professor of Criminal Justice
Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D. Political Science, Kent State University
M.A. Political Science, Kent State University
M.S. Criminal Justice, Youngstown State University
B.A. Political Science, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
A.S. Business Administration, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Post Baccalaureate Certificate Paralegal Studies, Kent State University (Approved by the American Bar Association; 30 semester hours of law courses)
Distinguished Professor
Email: cmbellas@ysu.edu
Office: 1420 Cushwa Hall
Office Phone: (330) 941-2167
Additional Contact Methods:
https://ysu.webex.com/meet/cmbellas
Preferred Contact Method: email directly ( not through course messages)
Communication Expectations:
When corresponding with Dr. Bellas professional emails are required. Please visit this website on how to write professional emails to your professors as all these components are required as well as identifying: the name of the course you are in and whether it is in person or online. https://www.purdue.edu/advisors/students/professor.php
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Bellas
Log in to view more
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | America’s Courts and the Criminal Justice System | David W. Neubauer and Henry Fredella | 13: 9780357763285 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | Chapter 1 Crime, Law, Courts and Controversy Chapter 2 Federal Courts |
Crime and Law; Federal Courts | Students are to read/watch all the content in the weekly Blackboard folder module 1 quiz over chapters 1 and 2 |
| 5/18 | Chapter 3 State Courts Chapter 4 Juvenile Courts |
State and Juvenile Courts | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder students complete a discussion debate post on juveniles being tried as adults complete module quiz over chapters 3 and 4 |
| 5/25 | Read Chapter 6 Prosecutors Read Chapter 7 Defense Attorneys |
Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder students complete the module 3 quiz over chapters 6 and 7 |
| 6/1 | Read Chapter 8 Judges Read Chapter 9 Defendants, Victims, and Witnesses |
Judges, Defendants, Victims and Witnesses | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder students submit an 8 slide narrated powerpoint bio on a U.S. Supreme Court Justice ( former or current) students complete the module 4 quiz |
| 6/8 | Read Chapter 10 Pretrial Case Processing & Attrition Read Chapter 11 Disclosing and Suppressing Evidence |
Pretrial and Evidence Suppression | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder students will complete the module quiz on chapters 10 and 11 Students write a reaction response to a small video on suppression of evidence |
| 6/15 | Read Chapter 12 Negotiated Justice and Pleas Read Chapter 13 Juries and Trials |
Plea Bargaining, Juries and Trials | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder complete the module quiz on chapter 12 and 13 |
| 6/22 | Read Chapter 14 Sentencing Read Chapter 15 Appellate Courts |
Sentencing and Appellate Courts | students are to read/watch all content in the weekly Blackboard folder complete the final module quiz on chapters 14 and 15 by FRIDAY at 5:00 p.m. |
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.