Courses

101. INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credit hours)
A survey of the history, organization and function of the various components of the criminal justice system; police, courts and corrections. Analysis of the decisions made in the process whereby citizens become suspects; suspects become defendants; some defendants are convicted; and in turn become probationers, inmates and parolees.
 
204.  JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY (3 credit hours)
A study of the law of juvenile delinquency and the administration of the juvenile justice system. Examines the historical development of the concept of delinquency, the special status of juveniles before the law. Surveys the major theories of delinquency. Considers the legal processing of abuse, neglect and dependency cases. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
223. POLICE AND SOCIETY (3 credits)
A study of the various levels, roles and functions of law enforcement in America. The nature and responsibilities of law enforcement are discussed and evaluated, including police accountability and civil liability. Examines the racial, ethnic and gender issues in law enforcement. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
224. PUNISHMENT AND CORRECTIONS (3 credits)
A review of the history of criminal punishment and analysis of major changes and causes. Examines the dominant justifications used for punishing offenders, such as deterrence, retribution and rehabilitation. Survey of corrections alternatives, including probation, parole, jail, prison and community corrections. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
225. VICTIMOLOGY (3 credits)
This course will examine the multifaceted problem of crime victimization. Focuses on the incidence of criminal victimization, social characteristics of crime victims, the treatment of the victim in the criminal justice system and efforts designed to alleviate the consequences of criminal victimization and provide support for the victim. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
226. COURT SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES (3 credits)
This course will provide students with a working knowledge of the major structures and basic legal concepts that underlie the Criminal Courts. The structure of the courts, the nature of the criminal law they apply and the procedures followed by them will be examined along with the history of how they developed and the goals they seek to achieve. The state and federal court systems will be examined. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
230. CRIMINOLOGY (3 credit hours)
This course focuses on the biological, psychological, and sociological theories of crime, provides definitions of crimes, and examines the types and extent of crime in the United States and other countries. Prerequisite: C J 101 or SOC 101. Cross-listed with SOC 230.

299. SELECTED TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credit  hours)
A lower level course designed for a topic of special current interest, including satellite courses. Prerequisite: As stated for each offering.
 
301. CRIMINALISTICS—AN INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to make the student aware of the services of a crime laboratory and the proper utilization of these services. The course will concentrate on the significance of physical evidence and the examination of this evidence in the crime laboratory. Students will be taught the proper recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence at the crime scene. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
307. CRIMINAL LAW (3 credits)
The course covers the history and development of criminal law, elements of a crime, parties to a crime and types of offenses. The general principles of substantive criminal law are studied through the analysis of judicial opinions and text. The scope, purpose and definition of criminal offenses are examined. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
308.  ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
An examination of the ethical quandaries and moral dilemmas that face criminal justice practitioners. A critical review of the ethical standards used to define appropriate conduct by criminal justice officials; exploring sanctions and laws governing inappropriate conduct. Prerequisite: C J 101 and junior or senior standing, or permission of the department chair.
 
311. DRUGS AND SOCIETY (3 credits)
This course is designed to deal with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, both legal and illegal. The etiology, social phenomena, psychological and physiological effects, and current modes of treatment within the criminal justice setting will be examined. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
312. COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS (3 credits)
This course will focus on probation, parole and intermediate sanctions. Community corrections programs such as restitution, community service and community-based drug treatment will be discussed. The course will examine the goals and importance of community corrections. Administration and staffing of these programs will also be explored. Prerequisites: C J 101 and 224.
 
313. RACE, GENDER AND CRIME (3 credit hours)
The study of the dynamics of racial prejudice in the United States and how it affects the criminal justice system. The relationship between minority status and criminality and the interaction of minorities with criminal justice organizations will be analyzed. Characteristics of female offenders are surveyed and offender classification systems are reviewed for their relevance to understanding motivational and behavioral patterns of female offenders. This course will explore the response of police and court officials to women as victims of crimes and will examine employment opportunities for women and minorities in the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: C J 101 and 230.
 
315.  METHODOLOGY (3 credit hours)
Introduction to the concepts and methods of social science research: the role of theory in research, forming hypotheses and questions, identifying variables, and gathering a analyzing statistical data.  Emphasis will be on developing good writing skills, and using computers for basic statistical evaluation. This course meets the requirements of POSC 311 and SOC 311.  Prerequisites: junior classification and a grade of C in ENGL 102 and in PSYC 200.
 
350. CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS (3 credit hours)
This course will focus on jails and prisons. Students will be provided with information on the history of incarceration, as well as theories behind this type of punishment. The course will cover the current conditions of prison life and will provide students with the viewpoints of those who live and work in prisons and jails. Also, management of prisons and jails will be discussed. Prerequisites: C J 101 and 223.
 
362. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN POLICING (3 credit hours)
The course covers contemporary issues in policing such as community policing, management procedures, and technology. Prerequisites: C J 101 and 223.
 
380. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3 credit hours)
A study of the historical development of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The course will focus on Supreme Court interpretations of the Bill of Rights as they apply to arrests, searches and seizures. The emphasis will be placed on the 4th, 5th and 14th amendments to the U. S. Constitution. Prerequisite: C J 101.
 
399. SELECTED TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (1-4 credit hours)
An upper level course designed for a topic of special current interest, including televised courses. Prerequisite: As stated for each offering.
 
408. CORRECTIONAL  LAW (3 credit hours)
This course covers the laws that govern the sentencing process, prisoners' rights, the rights of released offenders, and offenders sentenced to probation and intermediate sanctions. The course emphasizes United States Supreme Court cases and major lower court cases that have affected corrections. Prerequisites: C J 101 and 224.
 
413. INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credit hours)
This course will provide students the opportunity to go into the criminal justice field and observe the actual operation of the system. Students will be able to compare theory and concepts gained from courses to the actual criminal justice process they have experienced. Students may choose an internship in law enforcement, the courts, corrections or juvenile justice. Prerequisites: 24 hours of C J courses, senior standing and minimum g.p.a. of 2.5.
 
415. MANAGEMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS (3 credit hours)
This course examines organizational and management theories as they apply to criminal justice agencies and organizations. Different management styles, practices and problems are discussed. Also covered are the structure, purpose and process of the criminal justice system and policy making in justice administration. Prerequisites: C J 101, 223 and 224.
 
418. TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS (3 credit hours)
The course focuses on treatment and rehabilitative programs for offenders, examines the treatment methods that are the bases of these programs, and assesses the efficacy of the programs. Prerequisites: CJ 101 and 224.
 
420. LAW AND SOCIAL CONTROL (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to cover issues concerning the interrelationships between law and society. Included are the historical developments of social control and law and the role of law in society, its social construction, interpretation and enforcement. Major theoretical perspectives related to how social status and social structure affect crime levels and societal sanctions are discussed. Also examined are new policies in criminal justice that relate to and attempt to affect the levels of crime in the United States. Prerequisites: C J 101, 230, and 307.
 
425. SENIOR SEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credit hours)
This course is designed as a capstone experience for all seniors in the criminal justice major. The course content will vary slightly with each offering. The course will basically cover in-depth analyses of problems and issues in the criminal justice system. The course also will provide students with information about opportunities for employment in the criminal justice field and graduate school. The course will use up-to-date texts and articles from professional journals. Students will be required to complete a major research paper on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. Successful completion of the course with a grade of “C” or better is required for graduation. Prerequisites: C J 101, 204, 223, 224, 226 and senior standing.
 
499.  SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credit hours)
An upper level course designed for a topic of special current interest, including televised course.  Prerequisites: As stated for each offering.