Criminal Justice, Introduction
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Course Introduction

 

Core Standards of the Course

STRAND 1
Students will be able to identify and describe the basic functions of the United States criminal justice system.

Standard 1
Students will study and describe aspects of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to Criminal Justice.

Standard 2
Students will explore and distinguish the three components (police, courts, and corrections) of the criminal justice system.

STRAND 2
Students will examine and discuss the history of crime, data, and the goals of the criminal justice system to present day.

Standard 1
Students will examine the history of crime in the United States and its effect on the laws that have been created.

1. War on crime (prohibition, etc.)
   
2. War on drugs
   
3. War on terror
   
4. Cybercrime
   
5. Civil Rights
   
6. Human trafficking.
   

Standard 2
Students will distinguish between the different types of crimes, how they are reported, and how crime statistics influence criminal justice policies and programs.

1. Property crimes
   
2. Crimes against persons
   
3. Public order crimes
   
4. Hate crimes
   
5. Organized crime
   

Standard 3
Students will compare and contrast the evolution of individual rights vs. ensuring public order.

STRAND 3
Students will examine the Law Enforcement component of the criminal justice system.

Standard 1
Students will examine the purpose and function of the Police and their role in society.

Standard 2
Students will identify the legal aspects of policing.

1. Roles and responsibility of police officers.
   
2. Police ethics and abuse of power.
   
3. Laws regarding search and seizure.
   
4. Laws of detainment and arrest.
   
5. Interviews and interrogation of suspects.
   

Standard 3
Students will investigate and identify a current issue within the criminal justice system.

STRAND 4
Students will examine the Judicial components of the criminal justice system.

Standard 1
Students will distinguish between state courts, federal courts, and the U.S. Supreme court.

1. General
   
2. Limited
   
3. Appellate
   

Standard 2
Students will identify the courtroom work groups and the function of a criminal trial.

1. Judge
   
2. Prosecutor
   
3. Defense attorney
   
4. Jury
   
5. Suspect/victim
   
6. Stages of trial
   

Standard 3
Students will describe the criminal sanctions imposed upon a person convicted of a crime.

1. Goals of punishment
   
   • Retribution
   • Incapacitation
   • Deterrence
   • Rehabilitation
   • Restoration

Performance Skills
Student will investigate and discuss both sides of a current criminal justice issue of interest and provide recommendations within a presentation.

1. Topic to be instructor approved.
   
   • Presentations must include:
   • Introduction to the topic.
   • Main points of issue.
   • Three or more sources cited and referenced for each side of the issue.
   • Findings
   • Recommendations/conclusion
   • Reflection
2. Presentation format is up to the instructor. (PPT, Google slides, video, oral, etc.)
   

Performance Skills
Student will investigate and discuss both sides of a current criminal justice issue of interest and provide recommendations within a presentation.

1. Options could include:
   
   • View a criminal trial (in-person, virtual)
   • Mock trial.

STRAND 5
Students will examine the Corrections component of the criminal justice system

Standard 1
Students will distinguish between probation and parole.

Standard 2
Students will identify the different goals of the adult and juvenile justice systems.

Standard 3
Students will explore the history of incarceration and differentiate between the jail and prison systems.

1. Jail
   
2. Prison
   
   • Prison life
   • Women
   • Juveniles
3. Death row
   

Standard 4
Students will examine and discuss prisoner rehabilitation, reentry, and recidivism.

Performance Skills
Tour a correctional facility (in-person or virtual), then design a prison system and defend your position on the design. (Could be done individually or a group)

1. Design must include:
   
   • Location
   • Level of security
   • Gender
   • Capacity/# of cells
   • Staffing
   • Goals (rehabilitation, drug treatment, education, life skills, etc.)

STRAND 6
Students will understand the importance of career readiness skills as it relates to the workplace and out- lined in the SkillsUSA Framework - Level 1.

Standard 1
Understand and demonstrate the attitude of cooperation.

1. Develop awareness of cultural diversity and equality issues.
   
2. Demonstrate effective communication with others.
   
3. Apply team skills to a group project.
   
4. Identify and apply conflict resolution skills.
   

Standard 2
Understand and demonstrate the ability of being resourceful and innovative.

1. Discover self-motivation techniques and establish short-term goals.
   
2. Measure/modify short-term goals.
   
3. Review a professional journal and develop a three- to five-minute presentation
   

Standard 3
Plan for your future career.

1. Complete a self-assessment and identify individual learning styles.
   
2. Define future occupations.
   
3. Identify the components of an employment portfolio.
   
4. List proficiency in program competencies.
   
5. Complete a survey for employment opportunities.
   
6. Create a job application.
   
7. Assemble your employment portfolio.
   
8. Employability skills: evaluate program comprehension.
   

Standard 4
Understand and demonstrate the ability to manage a project.

1. Apply team skills to a group project.
   
2. Observe and critique a meeting.
   
3. Demonstrate business meeting skills.
   
4. Explore supervisory and management roles in an organization.
   
5. Identify and apply conflict resolution skills.
   
6. Demonstrate evaluation skills.
   
7. Manage a project and evaluate others.
   

Workplace Skills

1. Communication
   
2. Problem Solving
   
3. Teamwork
   
4. Critical Thinking
   
5. Dependability
   
6. Accountability
   
7. Legal Requirements/expectations
   
8. Data interpretation
   

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - MAREN  HANSEN and see the CTE/Public Service & Safety website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - THALEA  LONGHURST.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.