Criminal Justice Studies

This course introduces students to the use of a PC. Through hands-on practice, students will manage files, communicate using e-mail, and use the Internet, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Students must use the version of Microsoft Office software in use at Gateway Technical College. Basic keyboarding skills are recommended.

In this course, students analyze the roles and functions of federal and state courts. They differentiate the roles and functions of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and explore how law enforcement officers apply professional principles. Students examine modern police functions and policies from a historical perspective. They identify the role of law enforcement officers in American society. Students analyze correctional systems differentiating among jail, prison, and community corrections. Upon completion, students will be able to explain the different levels of law enforcement and how the criminal justice process works.

In this course, students identify the difference between crimes against people, property, and the public. Students analyze situations and determine which crimes have been committed and the elements of those crimes. Students identify the difference between statutory and constitutional defenses. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify the difference between a completed crime and an inchoate crime, what crime has been committed and any defenses that may be available.

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

Discuss historical, philosophical, legal and future trends of security. Define roles of the security professional in modern society. Study public/private security operations, and management concepts focusing on career preparation and opportunities in the field. Examine security challenges of internal theft, embezzlement, drugs and violence in the workplace.

In this course, students examine the various historical eras of correctional philosophy. They explore the components of the United States' correctional system including sentencing, community corrections, and institutions. Students analyze the current practices of correctional institutions, and they identify alternatives to incarcerations and probation and parole. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain the purpose and goals of community corrections.

In this course, the learner will apply knowledge of the communication process, apply communication techniques, integrate verbal and physical intervention skills, develop strategies to obtain information in a variety of situations, differentiate between interview and interrogation, and analyze information for consideration of corroborative evidence.

This course is intended to develop analytic reasoning and the ability to solve quantitative problems. Topics to be covered may include: construction & interpretation of graphs; descriptive statistics; geometry & spatial visualizations; math of finance; functions and modeling; probability; and logic. Appropriate use of units and dimensions, estimates, mathematical notation, and available technology will be emphasized throughout the course.

In this course, students examine a variety of law enforcement reports. They identify the essential elements of communication required to accurately convey required information used by criminal justice professionals and the public. Students practice taking effective field notes, synthesizing relevant information, and writing reports. Upon completion, students will be able to identify the information that should be included in a variety of reports, and they will be able to write narratives and organize information in reports.

In this course, the learner will identify community resources available in your area, describe the role of an advocacy group in the criminal justice community, demonstrate cultural self-awareness, interpret state and federal laws related to discrimination and diversity, utilize appropriate skills for interacting effectively and professionally with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, identify and implement personal strategies that take into account cultural differences, identify the types of situations and the characteristics of individuals that are likely to be encountered in crisis management situations, apply Wisconsin statutory requirements and general guidelines regarding emergency detentions and emergency protective placements of persons, identify key concepts and elements associated with law enforcement response to people in crisis, apply crisis intervention principles and techniques, articulate the decision-making process taken to manage persons in crisis, incorporate community policing strategies into the community, illustrate problem-oriented policing strategies, evaluate other policing strategies, and apply principles of crime analysis and prevention.

In this course, students examine the functions of organization and administration as they relate to the criminal justice system. They explore recruitment, training, and retention of human resources, and they analyze funding and budgeting for organizations. Students relate management principles, practices, and communication to organizational effectiveness. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the functions of a criminal justice organization and its administrative operations.

In this course, students examine what constitutes a crime and how to classify crimes. They identify criminals and differentiate between accidental and premeditated violent crimes. Students relate certain abnormal human behavior that leads to criminal activity and study cases that demonstrate classic symptoms of violent behavior. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to identify common motives behind the criminal activity and explain methods of deterring criminal activities.

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.

In this course, students explore the types, proper treatment, and disposition of criminal evidence. They analyze rules for obtaining evidence, and they examine the problems of admissibility in court proceedings. Upon successful completion, students will be able to explain the various requirements that evidence must meet before it can be admitted into court.

In this course, learners will diagram the structure of the criminal justice system, identify situations where constitutional rules are applicable, identify situations where an officer may use reasonable suspicion to contact a subject, identify the elements of a lawful arrest, identify search-related activities where the 4th amendment is not applicable, identify the requirements that pertain to search warrants, analyze situations where an officer may conduct a search without a warrant, compare the requirements for conducting routine searches with those for searching disabled persons and strip searches, identify the requirements of the laws governing confessions and statements, and analyze the various requirements that evidence must meet before it can be admitted in court.

In this course, the learner will describe the role evidence plays in criminal investigations and prosecutions; apply the steps for processing crime scenes; apply appropriate strategies to locate, handle, and package evidentiary items; document the crime scene; recognize the unique investigative issues for crimes against life; apply appropriate strategies to secure the scene, collect and preserve evidence, and investigate a death; recognize the dynamics of victimization; apply knowledge of the definitions and responsibilities for law enforcement; apply appropriate interview techniques with adult or child victims; analyze the role of law enforcement in responding to domestic abuse; intervene and apply appropriate investigative strategies; respond to an officer-involved domestic violence incident; analyze the role of law enforcement in responding to sexual abuse; demonstrate investigative techniques in a simulated sexual assault case; and identify other resources that can assist in sexual assault cases.

The Criminal Justice Studies internship provides students with an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through a supervised learning experience with a criminal justice agency related to the student's interest. Upon completion of the internship, students will be able to relate the knowledge acquired in the classroom to the performance of professional criminal justice roles.

This course focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication, and listening skills through individual presentations, group activities, and other projects.

In this course, students examine Criminal Justice trends in the 21st century and the rapidly evolving expectations for accountability from the public. They examine the impact of terrorism, technological change, and social dynamics on the practice of criminal justice as well as the challenges of increased scrutiny from the public and the media. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain significant changes in the areas of leadership, structure, culture, policy, and technology as these relate to the Criminal Justice System.