Discipline: Administration of Justice Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Administration of Justice A3A


COURSE DESCRIPTION
A3A Child Abuse Investigations Units: 2.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Limitation on Enrollment: Must be sworn peace officer
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the child abuse investigative process. The course will focus on child abuse law, psychological factors of the offender, interviewing techniques, and responsibilities of the child abuse investigator. 40 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the child abuse investigative process.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.    Identify the three basic child abuse investigative models.

2.    Describe the roles and responsibilities of the child abuse investigator.

3.    Analyze the psychological factors of physical abuse offender and the sexual abuse offender.

4.    Demonstrate proper interviewing techniques for child abuse investigations.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

1.    Child sexual abuse overview                   
2.    Psychological factors, family dynamics               
3.    Cultural differences                           
4.    Child abuse definitions                       
5.    Child abuse law               
6.    Prosecutor considerations           
7.    Roles/responsibilities of the child abuse investigator       
8.    Offender characteristics                       
9.    Reporting requirements                       
10.    Investigative techniques           
11.    Interviewing techniques                       
12.    Interagency protocol                           

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

•    Utilizing problem solving activities that allow for demonstrating required skills or knowledge of the child abuse investigative models and process.
•    Assigning written work to reveal progress and mastery of child abuse laws and definitions, psychological factors, and prosecution considerations.
•    Assignment of required readings in order to supplement classroom activities, and expand knowledge of child abuse and the investigative process.
•    Student participation in simulation exercises that will allow practical application and will demonstrate mastery of the roles and responsibilities of the child abuse investigator, and investigative and interviewing techniques.
•    Practicing learned skills to reinforce the child abuse investigation process.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

•    Computational and writing assignments, including homework, to measure student learning progress of the child abuse investigation process.
•    Skill demonstrations, including skill performance, problem solving and simulation exercises to assess successful understanding of the child abuse investigation process. 
•    Quizzes and a final examination to evaluate mastery of the child abuse investigation process.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Child Abuse Investigations Manual, latest edition.
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