Criminal Justice (CRJU)
The course provides a foundation for understanding the Criminal Justice System. An overview of the criminal justice system, its history, philosophical background, and the process for achieving its goals will be discussed. Topics covered include the scope and nature of crime, the criminal justice process, the juvenile justice system, law enforcement, adjudication, corrections, and contemporary trends on the local and national levels.
This course provides an overview and critical examination of major criminological theories used to explain the nature and causes of crime. Biological, psychological, economic, and sociological perspectives will be covered.
This course will examine how the issues of crime and justice are played out in the context of a diverse society. The course will consider three major issues; 1) how the law affects and has affected different groups in American society; 2) the differential involvement in crime and the criminal justice system across groups; and 3) the differential responses of the justice system to various groups.
This course explores the depiction of crime and the criminal justice system in media with a specific emphasis on "old" entertainment media, and a primary emphasis on film and television. Particular focus will be placed on the entertainment media's role in shaping the general public's ideas of crime and justice. Issues of race, class and gender will also be explored in the context of entertainment media and crime.
This course explores the intersection between gender and crime by focusing on the experiences of women as crime victims, criminal offenders, and criminal justice professionals, experiences which are very often interrelated and overlapping. Such experiences can only be fully understood through careful examination of gender constructionism, women's historically disadvantaged status in a patriarchal society, and the multiple ways through which law, and the criminal justice system in particular, help maintain modern systems of patriarchy. Topics include gender inequality, social and cultural constructions of gender, women's sexualization and objectification, masculinities, gender differences in offending, and several specific to crime issues such as rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. The course encourages ideas and suggestions that can be put in place to end gender based inequality and crime, and to promote social justice.
This course is a survey of law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels. It also introduces contemporary issues in law enforcement policy, practice, and research.
A study of the organization and functions of investigative agencies and basic considerations in the investigation of crime. Topics covered include: the collection and preservation of physical evidence, elements of legal proof in the submission of evidence, sources of information, interview and interrogation techniques, uses of forensic sciences, and case and trial preparation.
This course addresses issues related to domestic terrorism and violent extremist criminal activity, including detection and investigation, early interdiction and prevention, and readiness.
This course examines the theories of motivation, leadership, and organization in criminal justice administration. Also covered are the major functions of administrative and management units.
This course examines the relationship between law enforcement agents and the community they serve. Topics include regular and meaningful police involvement in the community, quality of life conditions, problem solving and coordination with community service organizations, and policing in a culturally diverse society.
This course focuses on the common investigative procedures and techniques used by various personnel and agencies that conduct death-scene investigations.
A study of the history, structure, and functions of corrections, and the legal and philosophical basis for the punishment of criminal offenders. Study will include the role of corrections as one of the three major components of the criminal justice system.
This course explores the relationship between the correctional system, prisons, and the community. It examines the community-based alternatives to incarceration, including but not limited to probation and parole. It examines the historical development of major correctional programs based in the community, and explores the current vision of community corrections. Concepts and problems in administration, organization, investigation, and supervision are discussed. Selection and discharge processes will be examined.
This course offers a study of correctional offender counseling and treatment. Particular attention will be given to the history corrections, the organizational structure of the correctional system, and the primary functions of the correctional system. This class will also examine the legal and philosophical basis for the case-management of convicted criminal offenders in the US criminal justice network.
This course offers a general understanding of the processes and functions of criminal court systems in the United States. The following topics will be examined: the historical development of criminal courts; different types of law; characteristics of federal and state courts; functions and responsibilities of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges; the criminal trial process; plea bargaining; sentencing options and decisions; and characteristics of appellate courts.
An overview of criminal law and of the fundamental elements of criminal procedures, including methods and rules of police investigation and arrest, adjudication, sentencing, and appellate review by higher courts.
This course examines the nature and extent of three broad types of crimes: violent, property, and public order. Within each of these categories, we explore the major offenses committed (homicide, assault, robbery, carjacking, burglary, shoplifting, prostitution, and drug dealing) and variation in their commission.
This course provides students with an in-depth view of the juvenile justice system in the United States focusing on crime patterns, police-juvenile relations, juvenile courts, and corrections practices.
This course offer a multidisciplinary overview of criminal victimization including the legal and philosophical issues regarding victimization, social science research into victimization, theories of victimization, the role of victims in criminal justice and legal system and the social and psychological impacts of victimization.
This course offers a critical examination of the historical and philosophical roots, and the principles and practices of an alternative model of justice broadly known as restorative community justice.
This course is designed to introduce students to the topic of crime prevention. Specifically, students will examine theories of crime prevention and focus on crime prevention strategies employed by various agencies to help reduce crime opportunities and the chances of victimization.
This course examines the ethical considerations facing the criminal justice practitioner. Topics include determining moral behavior, ethics and law enforcement, ethics and the courts, ethics and corrections, policy and management issues.
This course examines a range of issues concerning the death penalty as it is currently practiced in the United States. Topics include constitutional challenges to the death penalty, the role of judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys in implementing the death penalty, the process of jury selection and deliberation in capital cases, as well the many arguments for and against the death penalty.
Civil Liberties is an intensive study of the rights of Americans as guaranteed by the Constitution. The changing character of civil liberties problems in the United States will be stressed with attention given to the legal, historical and political context of the cases studied.
This course provides an overview of theoretical, treatment, and legal issues related to sex offenders and sexual deviance. Topics covered in this course include: Theoretical/explanatory models of sexual offending; typologies of sexual offenders; risk assessment; clinical treatment and management of sexual offenders; current sex offender legislation.
This course provides a general overview of the topic of white collar crime with a focus on the following topics: definitional dilemmas; occupational and corporate white collar crime; victims of white collar crime; the financial, social, human impact of white collar crime; theoretical explanations; and the regulation and punishments of white collar crime offenders.
This course provides first-hand accounts of everyday life and culture in urban cities. Topics covered include poverty, crime, policing, and race. An examination of how urban spaces shape identities and communities will be explored.
An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of criminal justice.
An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of criminal justice.
Directed study in criminal justice may be arranged in consultation with a faculty member and approved by the department chair.
Prerequisites: CRJU 1150
A continuation of directed study in criminal justice may be arranged in consultation with a faculty member and approved by the department chair.
Prerequisites: CRJU 4900