Criminal Justice (CRJU)

This course explores the main components of the US criminal justice system. This course covers the history and development of the criminal justice system, the structure and function of each component, ethical issues, and career opportunities and requirements. It will prepare students to move into more advanced courses that will provide an in-depth examination of the criminal justice system, theoretical understanding of crime, and critical analysis of the criminal justice field.

Examines modern criminological theories through the lens of foundational sociological and criminological arguments, concepts, and theories.

This course includes an examination of the role of police in a free society. The course also reviews current research on policing, the concept of the rule of law, police behavior and subcultures, the historical evolution of the police, police selection and training, and the management and administration of police.

This course includes an examination of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice process. The study includes an analysis of the evolution of parens patriae, and case law of the juvenile process from taking into custody through disposition. Included are conceptual models of social deviance, theories of criminal and delinquent behavior and the administration of justice in democratic society.

An examination of criminal law through the U.S. Constitution. The course examines the purposes and historical development of criminal law and includes a discussion of the Constitutional limits on what behaviors can be criminalized. The course presents the elements of various criminal offenses and how the rights of the accused are protected in the courts. The course also considers parties to a crime, like accomplices and accessories, attempted crimes, and defenses to a crime (e.g., self-defense, insanity). Students will use the "case method," requiring them to critically analyze real-life legal cases.

This course provides a comprehensive review of the American correctional system, including jails, prisons, detention centers, probation, intermediate sanctions, and parole. There will be an emphasis on exploring the history, philosophy, and practice of corrections, the ethical management and treatment of correctional populations, the legal developments and correctional trends, and the issues and challenges facing the correctional system.

This course introduces students to fundamental ethical concepts and issues related to the criminal justice system. Students will examine morality and justice as they apply to the delivery of services in policing, corrections, and the courts. Through case studies and current events, students will explore common ethical challenges faced by actors of the criminal justice system.

Examines how law enforcement agencies, faced with budgetary constraints, balance social, legal and political interests when developing responses to community problems. Explore issues of accountability and responsibility, civil liability, and integration of technology, police misconduct, excessive use of force, and selection.

This course provides a general survey of the nature and scope of white-collar crime. It explores offenses that have received relatively little attention from society, yet carry significant physical, financial, and social costs. Special emphasis is placed on the complexities of corporate crime and its impact on society.

This course explores the theoretical foundations and practical application of offender treatment and rehabilitation. Students will delve into the history of correctional treatment, review the various evidence-based treatment methods, identify the unique needs and challenges in treating special populations, discuss ethical and legal considerations, and analyze strategies and techniques to promote positive change.

Examine probation and parole, treatment philosophies and strategies for supervision in the community. Practices in use of presentence investigations and examination in innovations of community-based correctional alternatives.

Provides students with direct instruction in applying forensic science to criminal investigations.

An examination of the process of investigating crimes beginning with the first officer on the scene and ending with prosecution. This course is a study of the law governing the presentation of evidence at trial. Focus will be upon the various types of evidence, questions of competency, relevancy, and materiality, with special emphasis on the hearsay rule and its exceptions. This course includes a survey of the theory of scientific crime detection, investigation, interrogation, case presentation, and problems in criminal investigation. The content will include coverage of recent developments in forensic investigations such as DNA fingerprinting.

This course explores how diversity (e.g., socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity) intersects with the criminal justice system. Particular attention is given to both past and contemporary relationships between the criminal justice system and historically marginalized groups.

Designed to introduce social science majors to the application of research methods to analyze data.

Designed to introduce social science majors to the methodology used to explore and explain various social problems. This course will focus on how social scientists develop research designs and the methods used to analyze data.

Topics and activities in this course are designed to explore aspects of the criminal justice system that are not regularly taught in the criminal justice curriculum.

Capstone seminar focusing on the application of social science methods and theory to current issues in sociology and criminal justice.

An experiential course in which students apply concepts learned in the classroom to real-world settings while being professionally supervised. Students will also participate in a seminar to analyze placement experiences to foster professional development. Agency placements are arranged by the student with the approval of the Practicum Coordinator. Pass/No Pass course.