Department of Criminal Justice

Courses

250. Introduction to Criminal Justice.

A survey of the elements of the criminal justice system including the nature and definition of criminal law, the functions of the police, courts and corrections as subsystems and their interrelationship within the total system.

255. Police Organization and Community Relations.

A study of the organization and functions of police agencies, with special reference to state and local agencies and community relations.

285. Corrections.

A survey of the historical, sociological, and philosophical development of corrections; analysis of institutional operation, programming, and management.

295. Criminal Law.

A study on the historical and philosophical concepts of law, preserving life and property, offense against persons and property, and common offense and defense to criminal acts.

306. Juvenile Delinquency.

An analysis of the nature, causes, and extent of juvenile delinquency; and an evaluation of preventive programs.

323. Criminology.

A study of crime and criminal behavior in American society, with special emphasis on the individual, group trends, and theories concerning treatment.

326. Professional Ethics and Legal Liabilities

An examination of the standards and principles through which "professional misconduct" is recognized in an emerging system of ethics and law applicable to criminal justice practitioners.

330. Domestic Violence

An examination of intrafamily physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; its causes, its consequences, its extent and the manner in which social control agencies have responded.

336. Community-Based Corrections

Organization of systems of aftercare treatment of juvenile and adult offenders released under probation and parole.

390. Substance Abuse.

A comprehensive study concerning the historical, social, and legal aspects of substance abuse. This course explores the impact of substance abuse on criminal behavior, criminal justice personnel, and the community.

405. Criminal Investigation.

Investigation methodology, relations of the detective with other police divisions, modus operandi, evidence development, source of information, interview, interrogation, surveillance, and courtroom testimony.

406. Forensic Investigation

An examination of modern forensic science principles and techniques as applied to the detection, collection, preservation and analysis of crime scene evidence. Course topics will include but are not limited to fingerprints, serological evidence, trace evidence, and other evidentiary items.

430. Criminal Evidence.

An examination of the basic principles of evidence including but not limited to testimonial and physical evidence used in the prosecution of criminal cases.

434. Criminal Procedure

Examines the procedural requirements for judicial processing of criminal offenders. Topics include the concepts of evidence sufficiency, standards of proof, due process, and constitutional safeguards.

440. Methods and Statistics in Criminal Justice

An examination of the methodologies and statistical techniques employed by criminal justice researchers and professionals.

450. Theory and Control of Crime

An examination of the major theories of criminal behavior and their implications for crime control policies.

480. Psychological Dimensions of Criminal Justice Practice

Examines the psychological dimensions of criminal justice practice. Topics include psychology of criminal conduct, the science of forensic profiling, the interviewing and interrogation of suspects, witnesses and victims, the interpersonal relationships among criminal justice professionals and members of the public, and other timely selected topics.

CJ 491. Special Topics

This course surveys a contemporary justice issue. Topics will be treated by developing a theoretical understanding of the issue, and will foster both writing and critical inquiry skills. Course may be substituted for one upper-level elective in criminal justice.

495. Internship in Criminal Justice.

Supervised work experience with a criminal justice agency in which the student spends a minimum of 150 hours during the term under joint supervision of the agency and the University. There will be four meeting sessions during the internship period held on campus designed to evaluate and discuss the internship experience. Prerequisites: senior criminal justice majors and department chair approval.

499. Independent Study-Practicum.

Open to senior majors on approval of the department chair. Provides for independent study, research, or practical experiences under departmental determination, supervision, and evaluation.