This course introduces the student to the new philosophies within corrections to establish successful rehabilitation programs in the community and outside of traditional prison settings. Students will analyze different programs that are being implemented nationally to include electronic monitoring, boot camps, and restorative justice programs.

Community Based Corrections enables the student to understand the legitimate, oftentimes superior, alternatives to traditional forms of incarceration. In lieu of the exorbitant financial burden, exceedingly high recidivism rate, and flawed philosophical theories driving various contemporary correctional practices, it is essential that future practitioners and policy makers understand that successful alternatives to incarceration exist. A Criminal Justice major who completes the degree program possessing an understanding of legitimate Community Based Corrections programs will be more professionally effectual and philosophically transformational within the criminal justice profession.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

There will be 5 opportunities for discussion participation on topics provided. Student participation is expected, and will be graded. The student must use proper etiquette in discussion as both quality and quantity count. Posts cannot be edited or removed, and file attachments are discouraged since they may slow up reading. For the thread, each student will present his or her own informed opinion on the assigned topic in at least a 300 word or more original essay (with citations to support their assertions for full credit to be possible). All threads must adhere to current APA format. Later in the same Module: Week, the student will post 150 word or more responses to at least 2 other students’ posts. All replies must adhere to current APA format.

Case Study Paper Assignments (3)

Case Studies are an opportunity for the student to apply his/her reading and what he/she has learned in the course to real life situations. The student will propose a course of action appropriate to the context of the case/facts. The student must demonstrate critical thinking skills in analyzing, synthesizing, integrating, and drawing conclusions. The student must support his/her evaluation and recommendations with evidence. The student will need a minimum of 3–5 references for each case study. Each case study must be 5–7 pages. The student must integrate a biblical worldview in his/her proposed course of action for each case study. The paper must have a substantive conclusion that summarizes the student’s key points. The paper must also have a cover paper and a reference page in current APA format.

Quizzes (2)

There are two Quizzes in this course, Quiz: Midterm in Module 4: Week 4 and a Quiz: Final in Module 8: Week 8. Even though the questions are multiple-choice, they cannot simply be answered by looking up the answer in the readings. The student must think, reflect upon, and choose the best answer based on the readings. Quizzes (Exams) are open-book/open-notes, but are not to be collaborated on with anyone. Quiz: Midterm is 50 questions and has a 2 hour time limit and Quiz: Final is 100 questions and has a 3 hour time limit.

Homework: Video Case Assignments (12)

Each Module: Week students will watch a brief video and answer a few multiple choice questions related to the video.