Course Catalog

Criminal Justice

Note: courses designated “SCJ” have interdisciplinary content and can often apply to more than one program of study.

SCJ 180. Independent Study in Criminal Justice.

190. Special Topics in Criminal Justice.

198. Independent Research in Criminal Justice.

219. Employment Experience in Criminal Justice.

220. Criminal Justice Systems.
Examines and compares the philosophies and operations of the three principal branches of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Of particular concern will be the handling of conflict resulting from misunderstanding and confusion regarding the nature and intent of our criminal justice system’s functioning in dealing with certain types of problems. American and British comparisons in dealing with selected issue areas will be analyzed. Four credits. Offered yearly.

222. Criminal Investigations and Law Enforcement.
The essential elements of criminal investigation and other law enforcement functions will be examined. In addition to the traditional investigative issues that local law enforcement investigators face, the impact of global changes on the role of law enforcement functions and the use of intelligence systems in planning and executing law enforcement policies will be examined. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 220. Four credits. Offered alternate years.

223. Current Issues in Criminal Justice.
A course designed to focus on current criminal justice issues such as victimology, substantive and procedural law issues, enforcement and judicial discretion, capital punishment, gang violence, etc. and the theoretical and policy issues associated with them. CIVIC and CRITTHNK. Four credits.

240. Conservation Law.
This course will provide an in-depth look into the history, the current status and future conservation laws and natural resource protection. The purpose, function and socio-economic impact of various fish and wildlife laws, and how they are enforced will be examined. Conservation careers will also be explored. Four credits.

270. Terrorism.
The course focuses on the causes and evolution of the terrorist response in the support of social causes. Primary concerns of the course include but are not limited to the trap of “tribal” reactions to social issues, the demoralization of the adversary, historical development of the terrorist response, terrorism in the current social environment and the response to the terrorist challenge. GLOBAL and WRITCOM. Four credits.

280. Independent Study in Criminal Justice.

290. Special Topics in Criminal Justice.

298. Independent Research in Criminal Justice.

300/500. Juvenile and Family Law.
This course addresses the legal understandings and issues surrounding juveniles and families in the United States. The links between the criminal justice system and human service agencies will be investigated. Graduate standing required for 500-level enrollment. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 220. CIVIC. Four credits.

319. Internship in Criminal Justice.

333. Sexual Violence: Victims, Perpetrators and the CJ System.
This course is an extensive introduction to the sociological study of sexual violence. In this course, students can expect to explore the causes of, theories about, and statistics on sexual violence in U.S. society. Additionally, this course will survey the various components of the criminal justice system involved with victims and/or perpetrators of sexual violence. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 220 or Criminal Justice 343. Graduate equivalent: Criminal Justice 547. Four credits.

SCJ 340. Race and Ethnic Relations.
This course explores the dynamics and results of inter-group relations. Prejudice and discrimination are examined in both historical and international perspective. Among the concrete topics discussed are affirmative action, multiculturalism, institutional discrimination, and the interrelationship of sex, class, and ethnicity. Cornerstone 6. Four credits. Offered yearly.

SCJ 341/541. Family Crisis Intervention.
This course is designed to present conceptual framework and useful methods of intervention to help us understand and address a variety of crises confronting people in families. We will examine numerous situations, which may be family crises, and the behavioral manifestations of family members in crisis. Such topics as family violence, divorce/separation/desertion, sexual abuse of children in families, loss of family members through death, chemical abuse, criminal victimization, and suicide will be examined within the family context. Four credits.

342/542. Juvenile Delinquency.
The extent and cause of criminal behavior of children, adolescents, and young adults. Development and operation of juvenile courts and theories and methods of juvenile treatment and rehabilitation are examined. Graduate standing required for 500-level enrollment. Cornerstone 3, CIVIC and CRITTHNK. Four credits.

343/543. Criminology.
The extent and cause of adult criminal behavior, adjudication procedures, penal theories and practices, rehabilitation programs, and crime prevention. Graduate standing required for 500-level enrollment. Cornerstone 3. Four credits.

344. Correctional Practices in the U.S.
An examination and comparison of past, present, and future rehabilitative and correctional procedures for juvenile delinquents and criminals is undertaken. Various community-based and institutional settings will be analyzed in terms of different measures of success or failure in dealing with clients. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 342 or 343. CIVIC. Four credits. Offered yearly.

SCJ 347. Field Experience and Seminar.
Required Capstone in the department. Placement in a court, planning agency, or other criminal justice agency for a minimum of 120 hours of supervised fieldwork. Open to majors with Junior or Senior standing. Four credits. Offered yearly.

360/560. Criminal Law and the Legal Process.
An introduction to the American legal system, with emphasis placed on the major elements of the criminal process. Topics to be covered include the nature of criminal law, the rules of criminal procedure, and the roles of lawyers and judges in the system. Graduate standing required for 500-level enrollment. Four credits.

SCJ 380. Independent Study in Criminal Justice.

SCJ 390. Special Topics in Criminal Justice.

SCJ 391-392. Honors Tutorial Program.

SCJ 398. Independent Research in Criminal Justice.

Last Updated: 11/18/11