CSJ - Criminal & Social Justice

This course is an examination of contemporary American law enforcement. Policing and investigative agencies and their structures, functions and purposes are examined and evaluated. Topics include history, criminological role in society, trends in crime and enforcement, professionalism, organizational sub-cultures, ethics, corruption and civil liability. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course provides a broad overview of the criminal justice system, including legal rights and responsibilities, law enforcement, courts, and correctional institutions. Problems of these institutions and possible remedies will be examined and discussed. Particular attention will be paid to the Illinois criminal justice system. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students will examine theories of crime to explore crime causation, understand crime patterns, and evaluate crime trends. The course will explore crime typology and measurement procedures, crime data, theory and theoretical explanations of criminal behavior (including biological, social, psychological and environmental theories), crime victims, public policy implications, and societal responses to crime and criminals. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

In this course, students examine the purpose, structure, and functions of criminal law in Illinois and the United States, with an emphasis on the elements necessary to establish a crime and criminal intent. Students review the sources of criminal law; types of and defenses to crimes; attempts and conspiracy to commit a crime; laws of arrest; laws of search and seizure; and civil transgressions that may have criminal implications. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 4 quarter hours

Students will examine the historical development of corrections in America. An overview of correctional policies, goals, structure, operations of correctional (prisons/jails), sentencing trends, probation and parole, inmate life, and other community correctional programs will be explored. The overrepresentation of ethnic minorities, mass incarceration, and reform measures will be examined. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is a general overview of the American court system and its relationship to criminal justice. It considers processes, procedures, alternatives to trial, issues involving the courts, and the professionals involved. Students discuss topics related to courts and criminal justice such as trials, juries, sentencing, appeals, differential treatment, and wrongful convictions. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students will examine constitutional law as it relates to criminal justice issues. A historical overview of the U.S. Constitution will be covered along with how the Constitution works in the adjudication process, and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. The First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments will be emphasized. The course also examines how the Constitution protects the rights of the accused as well as the rights of law-abiding citizens. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course addresses the challenge of maintaining a meaningful relationship between society and the police while living in an environment of rapid change. Students explore community policing topics such as police-community relations, public relations, community policing theories, communications, the changing role of police in society, police discretion, conflict management, and policing special populations. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is a study of the police organization and its complexity. It examines how the police organization functions in relation to the social networks that help to define it, its structural complexity, structural control and administrative control structures, the degree to which rules and policies are formalized, and centralization of decision making. Students also explore contextual factors such as leadership, politics, geographical location, age of the organization and its environment, and their influence on the complexity of the police organization. Pre-requisite(s): CSJ 106; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

In this course, students will examine 20th and 21st century mass media and ways in which it shapes and distorts public understanding of fundamental issues related to criminal justice, including the role of prejudice and inequality on depictions of crime and the people and institutions involved. Students will gain knowledge and awareness of the media’s influence on the way people think about crime, and the subsequent impact on public opinion and policy, and not only take steps to consume media critically, but also consider ways this interplay can be improved in order to benefit the communities in which students live and the communities and fields in which they will work as future professionals. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

The juvenile justice system in the United States is examined from a perspective that involves both history of the system and the philosophical approach of society today. Major topics include arrest, interaction with police, detention before and after trial, court procedures, and corrections. Post correction or alternative opportunities such as training schools and camps, community-based networks, parole, release and recidivism will also be examined. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 106 or permission of director 5 QH

This course explores biological and chemical concepts in forensic science and reviews their application in questions of evidence and law. Evidence procedures and forensic technology are addressed. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students will examine 20th and 21st century mass media and ways in which it shapes and distorts public understanding of fundamental issues related to criminal justice, including the role of prejudice and inequality on depictions of crime and the people and institutions involved. Students will gain knowledge and awareness of the media’s influence on the way people think about crime, and the subsequent impact on public opinion and policy, and not only take steps to consume media critically, but also consider ways this interplay can be improved in order to benefit the communities in which students live and the communities and fields in which they will work as future professionals.

Students will explore the American juvenile justice system, focusing on understanding and empathy for youth who encounter it and examining the root causes of juvenile delinquency. Students will analyze child development theories and the role of institutions in shaping youth behavior. Students will analyze the role of race, class, ethnicity, gender, power, and privilege in shaping legal and social responses to delinquency. Students will critically assess the effectiveness of legal, social, and political strategies in addressing and preventing delinquency.

This course is a general introduction to research methods in criminal justice. Consideration is given to topics related to research methods that include, but are not limited to, qualitative and quantitative research, the application of research, ethics in research, research design, data gathering strategies, data analysis, and policy analysis as it relates to criminal justice. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Criminal Justice Program. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is a general overview of the procedures, techniques, skills, and limitations of criminal investigations. Consideration is given to topics related to criminal investigation that include, but not limited to, crime scene preservation, lawful searches, criminal law affecting investigations, violent crimes, property crimes, and death investigations. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 106, CSJ 107 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course addresses the intersection of the criminal justice practitioner's duties, responsibilities, and knowledge with codified social norms and the behaviors that deviate from them. Contextual factors that affect the practitioner's decisions and actions include cultural norms, theories of the causes of deviant behavior, theories of personality development, and social control mechanisms. Also examined is the impact of deviant behavior on society, social control devices, the social contract, and racial and gender differences in respect to acceptable behaviors. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 106 or permission of the Director Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is an examination of the of the criminal justice system from an ethical and professional perspective. It will explore ethical challenges of a civil society, the tensions found in the criminal justice system and the burden of discretion carried by it members. Topics include, but not limited to, meaning and value of ethics, ethical issues in criminal justice, discrimination in the criminal justice system, and the quest for professionalism. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 107 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is an overview of the administration of criminal justice organizations Consideration is given to topics related to criminal justice administration that include, criminal justice administration that include, structures and functions, internal and external politics, ethics, human resource development, training, management and leadership. Also included are topics of organizational sub-cultures, diversity in the work place, unions, and problematic organizational issues. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 106 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course addresses the theory and practice of probation and parole in the criminal justice system. Consideration is given to topics related to probation and parole that include, but are not limited to, the origins of probation and parole, parole selection process, parole boards, violations and revocation of parole, parole supervision, diversions from incarceration, administration of probation services, effect of probation on offenders, the courts and corrections, and electronic monitoring. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 206, CSJ 208, CSJ 209 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course will critically explore the principles, theories, and practices involved in criminal justice reform using a multidisciplinary approach. Students will analyze the historical and social contexts that shaped the criminal justice system and critically evaluate its strengths and weaknesses especially as it relates to systemic biases, disparities, and inequities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Students will address topics including sentencing reform, alternatives to incarceration, restorative justice, police reform, decarceration, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs. Students will gain insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing reform initiatives at various levels, from local communities to national policy arenas. Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

The course engages in the scientific study of victimization, the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system, and the connections between victims and other social groups and institutions. By engaging with advanced theoretical frameworks and research, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the multiple dimensions inherent in victimology and its profound implications within societal contexts. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is an overview of the theory and practice of human resource development directed specifically toward criminal justice organizations and their employees. Consideration is given to topics related to personal development that include, but are not limited to, the building blocks of human resource development, illustrations of the relationships among all the components that constitute the field of human resource development, the various roles and practices of human resource development, organizational learning, organizational development, instructional design, program planning and evaluation, internal consulting, and identifying ways to improve development practice within the organization. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 211 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course compares international criminal justice systems. Consideration is given to topics related to comparisons that include, but are not limited to, an international perspective on criminal justice, comparative criminology, transnational crime, four primary legal traditions found internationally, and the international perspective of courts, corrections, juvenile justice and policing. Prerequisite(s): CSJ 206, CSJ 208, CSJ 209 or permission of the Director. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

The internship enables students to integrate and apply theory with experiential learning while working in a field related to their program. Students engage in supervised and structured experiences and must complete a minimum of 30 hours of internship and related activities per quarter credit hour earned. This course may be taken multiple times for up to a total of ten quarter credit hours. Pre-requisite(s): Permission of Department Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 2-5 quarter hours

This course provides an in-depth study of the various agencies which constitute the public safety and justice system and their interaction and cooperation. This course examines the evolution of the public safety and justice system, authority and restrictions that apply to various agencies and their members, operational issues, and ethical considerations. Pre-requisite(s): Graduate status; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course covers various strategies of individual and mass-scale crisis intervention in a public safety agency. This course examines the history of crisis intervention, common critical incident situations that public safety professionals encounter, and techniques available for resolving such situations. Pre-requisite(s): Graduate status; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course explores private and public security threats, including domestic and foreign terrorism, and introduces the students to measures for preventing, combating, and responding to such threats. Students examine homeland security and discuss techniques and principles on which law enforcement and security professionals rely in times of crisis. The course also focuses on the principles of disaster management strategies, structure, and response. Pre-requisite(s): Graduate status; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours