Criminal Justice (CRJ)

Provides an overview of the American criminal justice system and examines the process of justice administration through the agencies of law enforcement, courts and corrections. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Examines the ethical considerations facing the criminal justice practitioner. Includes determining moral behavior, developing moral and ethical behavior, ethics and law enforcement, ethics and the courts, ethics and corrections, policy and management issues, professionalism, pride and ethics for practitioners. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Pre/corequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Examines police as part of society's official control apparatus. Studies police history, police role and organization, the making of a police officer, police behavior, stress, delivery of effective police services, and the future of law enforcement. Explores community-oriented policing philosophy and problem-oriented policing methods. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Examines the history and theories of corrections that apply to institutional and community-based correctional systems. Explores the principles and practice of corrections as applied in the community setting and institutional settings. Studies the use and effectiveness of correctional alternatives. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Reviews the historical development of criminal law and the resulting philosophy of law that has developed. The law-making process, with the societal and political influences, is examined and discussed. Comparisons of common law with contemporary law are analyzed in an attempt to determine what impact historical events and societal changes have had in bringing about change. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Studies the development of fundamental principles in constitutional law, integrating a case-by-case study of United States Supreme Court decisions and a broad examination of the judicial legal processes. Coverage includes the nature of judicial review, powers of the Supreme Court, president, Congress and federalism. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Explores current statutory and case law pertinent to correctional concepts, facilities and related topics. Examines major legal issues: incarceration, probation, parole, restitution, pardon, restoration of rights and related topics. Students identify and discuss legal issues which directly affect correctional systems and personnel. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Pre/corequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Presents the basic principles of investigation, both public and private, including: examination of the scene, collecting physical evidence, interrogations and interviews, sketching a scene, report writing, and basic photography. Special methods of investigating certain crimes are explored, and the function of the crime laboratory discussed. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Pre/corequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Surveys the nature, causes, and extent of crime and delinquency. Explores various explanations from numerous disciplines. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Analyzes the various components of delinquency: home, school, peer group and community structure. Explores the role of therapeutic and detention centers and the juvenile court, as well as approaches to prevention and treatment. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100. Take SOC-110 or SOC-115.

Expands the student's awareness of both cognitive knowledge and skills necessary to interact effectively with and serve culturally diverse populations. Emphasizes attitudes, competencies, and behavioral issues in interracial and cross-cultural contacts between criminal justice practitioners and a diverse citizenry. Examines the sociological frameworks of diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, poverty, religion, age, disability, and language minorities. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100. Take SOC-110 or SOC-115.

Studies the principles and practice of corrections as applied in the community setting. Includes examination of theories of corrections that apply to the correctional practices of parole and probation. Also explores alternative treatment programs utilized in community halfway houses, alternative jails and outpatient facilities. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Utilizes community-oriented policing philosophy and problem-oriented policing methods. Emphasizes active research into crime patterns, to explain them in terms of environmental influences and develop strategies to prevent and/or control crime problems. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Reviews historical development of constitutional law, philosophy of law, and the current impact on law enforcement officials. Examines the judicial process to better understand the societal and political influences that impact current day constitutional decisions. Explains elements of common offenses, procedural safeguards in the criminal process, and protections afforded to an individual. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.

Examines the juvenile system from a practitioner perspective. Provides operational knowledge of how law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilities navigate the juvenile offender. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100. Take SOC-110 or SOC-115.

Allows a qualified honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires completion of an honors project contract. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A; Comments: Requires approval of supervising professor and dean

Provides readings, papers and basic research or other projects under the individual guidance of a staff member. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Provides placement in a criminal justice agency in a student capacity. Work experience in an agency under supervision of professionals in the field permits students to learn what career opportunities are offered. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Prerequisite: Take CRJ-100.