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Course Syllabus

CJ 1340 Criminal Investigation

  • Division: Social and Behavioral Science
  • Department: Social Science
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: N/A
  • Corequisites: CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2024
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2029
  • Optimum Class Size: 25
  • Maximum Class Size: 35

Course Description

This course will introduce the student to the criminal investigation process. The legal, technical, and administrative aspects of criminal investigative process will provide the student with an understanding of the complexities and challenges inherent in this process.

Justification

This course is required for an associate degree in Criminal Justice. This course is designed to meet lower division requirements for a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and is transferable to all schools within the USHE system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will be able to examine the historical and practical development of modern day Criminal Investigative philosophies and practices.
  2. The student will be able to become familiar with the legal and procedural rules and boundaries which describe the potentials and limitations of Criminal Investigations.
  3. The student will be able to understand the skills, qualifications, and characteristics of a competent and successful investigator.
  4. The student will be able to experience the ethical challenges and legal/moral dilemmas faced by Investigators in everyday work and unique cases.

Course Content

The course will cover and present the conceptual, philosophical, and practical, legal, and procedural aspects of Criminal Investigations within the criminal justice framework. This framework can create a more robust understanding of the role of disadvantaged groups in the American legal system. Any person who is employed in the criminal justice system must have a working knowledge of the components and functions of the criminal investigative process. This course of study is included in all higher education curriculum and Criminal Justice basic and advanced training programs.