CSS 102: Introduction to Criminal Justice System

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. discuss the normative foundation of society in culture, values, norms and laws;
2. identify the key agencies of the criminal justice system;
3. explain the roles or functions of criminal justice agencies;
4. discuss responses to crime through criminal law and process; and
5. explain the various theoretical and policy perspectives on the criminal justice system.

Course Contents

Overview of the normative, traditional and informal systems of maintaining social order, investigating and resolving deviance and dispute. Definition of crime and deviance. Nature of criminal law. Processes and purpose of criminal justice system. Adversarial and inquisitorial criminal justice process. Functions and powers of criminal justice agencies, key criminal justice agencies (police, prosecution, courts, penal and correctional institutions, specialised policing agencies). Offenders and victims in criminal justice system. Evolution, functions, effectiveness and challenges of criminal justice agencies in Nigeria.