Law & Public Safety

• Grade(s): 10, 11
• Required Prerequisites: none  
• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum
• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diplomas
• Dual Credit Pending  

Principles of Criminal Justice covers the purposes, functions, and history of the three primary parts of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. This course further explores the interrelationships and responsibilities of these three primary elements of the criminal justice system.

• Grade(s): 11, 12
• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Criminal Justice
• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum
• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diplomas
• Dual Credit Pending

Law Enforcement Fundamentals Critically examines the history and nature of the major theoretical perspectives in criminology, and the theories found within those perspectives. Analyzes the research support for such theories and perspectives, and the connections between theory and criminal justice system practice within all the major components of the criminal justice system.

Demonstrates the application of specific theories to explain violent and non-violent criminal behavior on both the micro and macro levels of analysis. Additionally, this course will introduce fundamental law enforcement operations and organization. This includes the evolution of law enforcement at federal, state, and local levels.

• Grade(s): 11, 12

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Criminal Justice; Law Enforcement Fundamentals

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum

• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diplomas

• Dual Credit Pending

Corrections and Cultural Awareness emphasizes the study of American criminal justice problems and systems in historical and cultural perspectives, as well as discussing social and public policy factors affecting crime. Multidisciplinary and multicultural perspectives are stressed.

Additionally, this course takes a further examination of the American correctional system; the study of administration of local, state, and federal correctional agencies. The examination also includes the history and development of correctional policies and practices, criminal sentencing, jails, prisons, alternative sentencing, prisoner rights, rehabilitation, and community corrections including probation and parole. Current philosophies of corrections and the debates surrounding the roles and effectiveness of criminal sentences, institutional procedures, technological developments, and special populations are discussed.

• Grade(s): 12
• 2 Block Course
• Recommended Prerequisite: Criminal Justice I
• Credits: 2 Semester course, 2 credits per semester
• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diploma
• Dual Credit Pending

Criminal Justice II introduces students to concepts and practices in traffic control as well as forensic investigation at crime scenes. Students will have opportunities to use mathematical skills in crash reconstruction and analysis activities requiring measurements and performance of speed/acceleration calculations.

Additional activities simulating criminal investigations will be used to teach scientific knowledge related to anatomy, biology, and chemistry as well as collection of evidence, developing and questioning suspects, and protecting the integrity of physical evidence found at the scene and while in transit to a forensic science laboratory. Procedures for the use and control of informants, inquiries keyed to basic leads, and other information gathering activities and chain of custody procedures will also be reviewed. Current trends in criminal justice and law enforcement will also be covered.