Administration of Justice

This course provides students with an overview of the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. An emphasis is placed on examining the structure and functions of the police, courts and corrections. The following additional topics are explored: the origins of criminal law, theories of crime, the adjudication of a criminal case, measurement of crime, the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system, the social impact of crime, sentencing policies and related subject areas.

COM ST 16 or 21 recommended

See the full list: Required Elective Course from "List B" below

This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.

This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.

This course examines the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States. It covers topics which include the sources of law, the elements of a crime, the classification of crime, the nature of credible evidence, the adversary system, criminal defenses and related subjects. The course utilizes case studies to ascertain and analyze the concepts of criminal law. It also provides a foundation for upper division criminal justice courses.

SOCIOL 1 recommended

See the full list: Required Elective Course from "List B" below

ENGL 2 or BUS 32 recommended

See the full list: CSU GE Area A3 Course (opens in new window)

US History recommended

See the full list: CSU GE Area C2 Course (opens in new window)

POL SC 1 recommended

See the full list: CSU GE Area D Course (opens in new window)

This course explores types of evidence and legal rules governing its admission and exclusion in a criminal court proceeding. A special emphasis is placed on examining the key rules pertaining to witness competency, privileged communications, confessions, hearsay statements and identification procedures. Case studies and judicial decisions interpreting the evidence rules are also included.

This course examines the basic principles, procedures and ethical challenges involved in criminal investigation. The topics covered include the organization of the investigative process, scientific analysis of physical evidence, crime scene management, documentation of evidence, interviews and interrogation, sources of information, surveillance, and the role of the investigator in the trial process.

This course provides an overview of the development and organization of the juvenile justice system in the United States. The course explores topics such as the history of this system, the measurement of juvenile delinquency, California laws relating to delinquency and dependency, constitutional protections afforded through case decisions, juvenile court proceedings and related subject areas.

This course provides students with an overview of the role of forensics in criminal investigations. This course explores topics such as crime scene analysis versus crime scene processing, examination of pattern evidence, principles of fingerprint identification, analysis of firearm and tool mark evidence, collection and preservation of DNA evidence, evaluation of questioned documents, and related subjects.

This course analyzes the dynamic relationship between the justice system and the community in addressing crime. Special attention is focused on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population as well as strategies for resolving conflict. Additional topics covered include the evolving nature of multiculturalism, demographics of interest communities, community policing, courts and the community, among others.

This course surveys the principles and techniques of current and evolving business communication as a process in a variety of business situations. The course emphasizes planning, organizing, composing, and revising business documents using appropriate utilization of a variety of technological platforms, business related internet writing contexts, and web resources. Also, this course will incorporate a variety of internet-based communication tools relevant to doing business in today's world. This course is designed for students who already have college-level writing skills.

This course introduces students to information systems and their role in business. Topics include information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems, hardware systems, and application software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics). In this course, students develop computer-based solutions to a variety of business problems.

This is a course in public speaking for students learning to prepare and deliver platform speeches. Assignments include speeches of description, exposition, and persuasion. Techniques for controlling tension, building self-confidence, and effective listening are emphasized.

This course focuses on the development of persuasion in rhetorical perspective, with an emphasis on balancing logic, emotion and credibility in public speaking. The history of classical rhetoric in Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as great speakers in American history, are emphasized.

This course focuses on the identification and analysis of processes and challenges of communication as affected by small group interactions. This course helps students develop competence and confidence as a group member and leader through a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of small groups in everyday life. The course focuses on the principles of communication theory as they apply to the small group setting with an emphasis on practical application through study and practice in various group activities.

Principles of argumentative discourse applied to contemporary issues are studied in this course. An analysis of the relationship between evidence and the process of reasoning is included.

This course helps students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 1. The course emphasizes the application of logical reasoning, analysis, and strategies of argumentation in critical thinking and writing, using literature (both fiction and non-fiction) and literary criticism as subject matter.

This advanced writing course is intended especially for English majors and other students desiring to develop rhetorical skills beyond those practiced in English 1. It stresses critical analysis and argument, and focuses on style in effectively communicating with various audiences.

This course presents an overview of historians’ methods of research, critical analysis, and written argumentation and introduces historiography and historical theory. Students will apply these methods through a variety of written assignments, including a properly-documented academic research paper. This course’s research component will further students’ information competency skills.

An intensive preparation for calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics and natural science majors. Topics include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their inverses and identities, conic sections, sequences, series, the binomial theorem and mathematical induction.

This first course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, and derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions, with mathematical and physical applications.

This is a terminal mathematics course for liberal arts and social science majors. Topics include sets and counting, probability, linear systems, linear programming, statistics, and mathematics of finance, with emphasis on applications.

This course is intended for students majoring in business or social sciences. It is a survey of differential and integral calculus with business and social science applications. Topics include limits, differential calculus of one variable, including exponential and logarithmic functions, introduction to integral calculus, and mathematics of finance.

This course covers concepts and procedures of descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and inferential statistics. Course content includes: summarizing data; computation and interpretation of descriptive statistics;; classical probability theory; probability distributions; binomial, normal, T, Chi-square and F distributions; making inferences; decisions and predictions. This course develops, analyzes, and interprets confidence intervals for population parameters, hypothesis testing for both one and two populations, correlation and regression, ANOVA, and test for independence. This course develops statistical thinking through the study of applications in variety of disciplines. The use of a statistical/graphing calculator and/or statistical analysis software is integrated into the course.

A course in general logic emphasizing its applications to practical situations. The course covers both inductive and deductive techniques.

This is a beginning course in modern logic covering symbolic notation and translations, and decision procedures for validity and invalidity of arguments in sentential logic and predicate logic.

This course surveys and analyzes the principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments. Students will use course concepts to situate themselves as citizens and political agents.

This course is an introduction to the science and practice of psychology. It provides students with an overview of the core areas of the field and an introduction to the various ways in which psychologists conduct research as well as well-known theories and classic psychological studies. Course content includes biopsychology; states of consciousness; human development; learning and memory; intelligence; social and environmental influence; theories of personality; and psychological disorders.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students examine the key varieties of evidence--including qualitative and quantitative data, data-gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research project related to a sociological issue.