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Administration of Justice (AJ Courses)

AJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer to UC, CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 110
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces which have shaped those principles and approaches. Although justice structure and process is examined in a cross cultural context, emphasis is placed on the U.S. justice system, particularly the structure and function of U.S. law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies.

AJ 102 Criminal Procedures

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 122
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course provides an examination and analysis of due process in criminal proceedings from pre-arrest through trial and appeal utilizing statutory law and state and constitutional law precedents.

AJ 103 Concepts of Criminal Law

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 120
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice course will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes.

AJ 104 Legal Aspects of Evidence

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 124
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course examines categories of evidence and legal rules governing its admission and exclusion in the criminal process. Origin, development, philosophy and constitutional basis of evidence; constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest; search and seizure, kinds and degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility; and judicial decisions interpreting individual rights and case studies.

AJ 105 Community Relations

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer to UC, CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 160
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course examines the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict with an emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics covered may include crime prevention, restorative justice, conflict resolution, and ethics.

AJ 106 Police Patrol Procedures

3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered: Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A study of policing in our society and the corresponding relationship to the Administration of Justice system. Topics include: policing, homeland security, community policing, patrol preparations, field observations/interviews, police ethics and professionalism, and public service responsibilities.

AJ 111 Criminal Investigation

3.0 units.
Advisories: eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 140
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, surveillance, source of information, utility of evidence, scientific analysis of evidence and the role of the investigator in the trial process.

AJ 115 Introduction to Criminology

3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Non-Transferable
C-ID Course Number: No
Course Offered: Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Theories of the causes of criminal behavior, focusing on the person and the group; criminal behavior systems; the police behavioral response to criminal activity and its nature and causes.

AJ 120 Juvenile Law and Procedures

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 220
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the Juvenile Justice System as it evolved in the American Justice System. The course explores the theories that focuses on Juvenile Law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles administered in the American Justice System.

AJ 130 Introduction to Corrections

3.0 units.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 200
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course provides a critical analysis of punishment, the various types of punishment, alternatives to punishment, and the impact of punishment on the Criminal Justice System. A Critical examination of the types of Correctional institutions and the clients housed in each institution.

AJ 149 Cooperative Work Experience

1.0 - 8.0 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: To participate in Cooperative Work Experience: (1) students must be working at a job within their major, (2) students must be able to become involved in new or expanded responsibilities on the job, (3) the employer must be willing to cooperate with the college in the supervision and evaluation of the student and (4) the student must attend all coordination/consultation meetings in addition to other work and class responsibilities. NUMBER OF TIMES COURSE CAN BE REPEATED: Students enrolled in CWE 149 may earn up to 8 units of credit per semester not to exceed 16 units in total. Any units earned in any other Cooperative Work Experience course will be included in the 16 unit maximum. CWE Units Unpaid Placement: 1 unit 60 hours 2 units 120 hours 3 units 180 hours 4 units 240 hours 5 units 300 hours 6 units 360 hours 7 units 420 hours 8 units 480 hours CWE Units Paid Placement: 1 unit 75 hours 2 units 150 hours 3 units 225 hours 4 units 300 hours 5 units 375 hours 6 units 450 hours 7 units 525 hours 8 units 600 hours
Acceptable for credit:
Course Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Supervised employment extends classroom-based learning through an on-the-job related learning environment toward the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

AJ 150 Introduction to Forensics

3.0 units.
Advisories: ENGL 514 - Writing Skills 4 ; or eligibility for ENGL 101
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: AJ 150
Course Offered: Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, questioned documents and controlled substances.

AJ 189 Independent Projects

1.0 - 3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Courses for students capable of independent work who demonstrate the need or desire for additional study beyond the regular curriculum. Enrollment allows students to pursue activities such as directed field experience, research, or development of skills and competencies under faculty advisement and supervision. Independent projects may be earned in most disciplines. Students wishing to enroll in Independent Projects should contact the appropriate instructor identified in the class schedule. If the project proposed is acceptable to that instructor, a contract will be developed. All contracts for these classes must be completed and submitted to the Records Office no later than the end of the second week of the semester. Students may enroll for any combination (unit value) of Independent Projects 189 and/or 389 for a total of four semesters in a specific discipline. Units are awarded depending upon satisfactory performance and the amount of time committed by the student to the course. Allowable units vary according to discipline, and are based on the following formula: 1 unit - 48 hours per semester 2 units - 96 hours per semester 3 units - 144 hours per semester