Seward County Community College/Area Technical School
Course Syllabus

1. TITLE OF COURSE: CJ2303 - Introduction to Corrections
2. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Three credit hours. Lecture.  An Introduction to the philosophy and history of corrections, identifying multiple facets of the correctional system, including: Jails and Detention Facilities, Probation, Intermediate Sanctions, Imprisonment and Parole. This course focuses on how today's correctional subsystems function within a larger criminal justice system and covers correctional systems as they apply to the individual and to society.
3. DIVISION/DEPT/PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT: The Criminal Justice program at Seward County Community College provides students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills in the criminal justice field through educational and technical instruction.
4. TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
   • Clear, Todd, Cole, George, Reisig, Michael, American Corrections,10^th Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.
5. SCCC/ATS OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate the ability to do the following SCCC/ATS Outcomes:
   • Outcome #1. Read with comprehension, be critical of what they read, and apply knowledge from readings to broader issues of the day.
   • Outcome #2. Communicate their idea clearly and proficiently in writing, appropriately adjusting content and arrangement for varying audiences, purposes, and situations.
   • Outcome #3. Communicate their idea clearly and proficiently in writing, appropriately adjusting content and arrangement for varying audiences, purposes, and situations.
   • Outcome #5. Think critically by gathering facts, generating insights, analyzing data, and evaluating information.
6. GENERAL COURSE OUTCOMES: At the completion of this course students should demonstrate an understanding of corrections from a historical, philosophical and practical point of view.
7. COURSE COMPETENCIES: The student will demonstrate their understanding of the subject by demonstrating at least 70% competency of the topics to be covered, including:
   1. Develop knowledge of the history and evolution of corrections.
   
   a. Discuss the purpose of corrections.
   
   b. Identify the origins of corrections.
   
   c. Compare the early history of corrections with today's corrections.

   2. Demonstrate knowledge of sentencing systems and sentencing issues

      a. Describe the sentencing process and discuss various types of sentencing and their implications for sentenced offenders

      b. Discuss major sentencing issues

      c. Describe the presentence investigation report and its function

   3. Develop knowledge of diversion, standard, and intensive supervised probation programs

                  a. Discuss the nature and functions of various diversion programs

                  b. Describe the functions of probation

                  c. Discuss intensive supervised probation and reasons for its use

   4. Discuss the philosophy and various programs involved in community corrections

   5. Demonstrate an understanding of parole, its programs, and revocation

      a. Describe the history of parole

      b. Discuss various parole programs

      c. Describe the parole revocation process

   6. Discuss the history of jails, their functions, and their inmate characteristics

   7. Discuss the history of prisons, their functions, and the their inmate characteristics

   8. Demonstrate an understanding of the rights of the sentenced offender.

   • Identify the rights of offenders while in confinement.
   • Discuss the death penalty: the ultimate right.
   • Explain the rights of ex-offenders.

   9. Demonstrate an understanding of jail and prison administration issues and correctional officer selection and training

      a. Identify various models of management

      b. Discuss correctional officer recruitment and training process

      c. Examine different types of negligence and liability issues

8. TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE:
   •  The Corrections System
   •  The Early History of Correctional Thought and Practice
   •  The History of Corrections in America
   •  The Punishment of Offenders
   •  The Law of Corrections
   • The Correctional Client  
   • Jails:  Detention and Short-Term Incarceration
   • Probation
   • Intermediate Sanctions and Community Corrections
   • Incarceration
   • The Prison Experience
   • Incarceration of Women
   • Institutional Management
   • Institutional Programs
   • Release from Incarceration
   • Making It:  Supervision in the Community
   • Corrections for Juveniles
   • Incarceration Trends
   • Race, Ethnicity, and Corrections
   • The Death Penalty
   • Surveillance and Control in the Community
   • Community Justice
9. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
   • Lecture/Discussion
   • Class assignments/exercises
   • Computer research assignments
10. INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESOURCE MATERIALS:
    • Textbook
    • Whiteboard
    • Internet
    • Current articles
    • Practical exercise materials
11. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: Methods of assessing general course outcomes and specific course competencies include tests, daily work class attendance, and participation.
    • #1 will be assessed by class participation, writing assignments, and verbal discussion indicating comprehension of material read.
    • #2 will be assessed by written assignments.
    • #5 will be assessed by essay, multiple choice, and true/false exams, and verbal and written assignments.
12. ADA STATEMENT
    • If you believe that you are entitled to special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Dean of Student Services at 620-417-1016 or visit the office located in the Hobble Academic Building.    
    
    Revised 08/12