CRIJ - Criminal Justice

Introduction to Criminal Justice introduces the criminal justice system and focuses on the various processing stages, practices, and personnel in the criminal justice system. This course examines the problem of crime in American society. Both historical and contemporary components of the system, including the police, the courts, and correctional agencies are explored. This course is designed to provide the student with a broad-based understanding of both and effects of crime upon communities, as well the criminal justice system response to crime in U.S. contemporary society.

This course prepares students for writing criminal justice academics and vocations. Students will be instructed in writing for research and various types of field reports required in the criminal justice field. Students will compose professional emails and letters, learn the use of APA guidelines for research, and write case reports for police, corrections, and courts. Students will benefit from instructor feedback, assistance from the writing center, and opportunities for revision and resubmission of course assignments.

Emphasizes conducting and applying statistical analyses with real-world social science data. Students will utilize a statistical software package commonly used by social scientists to conduct and interpret descriptive and inferential statistics. Students completing the course will acquire the skills necessary to both conduct and interpret statistical analyses in social science settings. Pre-requisite: Math 1304 or higher. Same as PSYC 2316.

This course offers an overview of the criminal justice system. It examines the nature and causes of crime, criminal law, constitutional safeguards, and the organization and operation of the criminal justice system including the police, courts, jails, prisons, probation and parole, community corrections, and juvenile justice. It briefly covers the history of crime in America and includes relevant terminology.

This course is designed to introduce students to criminal investigations. It will provide an overview of the evolution of policing and investigation, rules of evidence and arrest, the crime scene, physical evidence, development of basic investigative leads, use of informants, interviewing and interrogation, investigating major crime categories, and ethical awareness.

A study of the social problems of modern American life with emphasis upon their extent, effects, and suggested remedies. (Same as SOCI 2316)

This course examines American crime problems in a historical perspective, examines crime causation, social and public policy factors affecting crime, the impact of crime and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and the prevention of crime.

This course provides a thorough understanding of basic court system procedures, criminal law concepts, beginning with their historical basis in the Constitution, and the jurisdiction of courts. Students will examine requirements that affect law enforcement practices and procedures. Topics will include confessions and interrogations, witness identifications, issues of due process, evidentiary processes and complications. During the course, students will examine criminal procedure in relation to landmark court decisions.

This course introduces students to police authority. Discussions include responsibilities and constitutional restraints, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and police liability. Controversial issues of police authority, responsibility and constitutional restraints placed on criminal justice professionals will be examined.

This course provides students with a historical examination of the development of corrections, the organization of correctional systems, the role of corrections, and institutional operations. Students will examine the evolving manner in which inmates have been treated and the controversies that remain in the system today. Student will learn the different perspectives of various members of society regarding corrections in America regarding alternatives to institutionalization, treatment and rehabilitation.

This course provides students with an overall coverage of the history, operations, and philosophy of community-based corrections. Students will be introduced to offender reintegration challenges and opportunities. In addition, students will learn behaviors, methods of properly managing offenders, and successful tools to prevent recidivism.

A study of the social development of contemporary minority groups with emphasis on the psychological and sociological processes involved in prejudice. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311. (Same as SOCI 3317)

This course provides students with an overall coverage of the history, operations, and philosophy of community-based corrections. Students will be introduced to offender reintegration challenges and opportunities. In addition, students will learn the behaviors, methods of properly managing offenders, and successful tools to prevent recidivism. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311

Students majoring in Criminal Justice must complete the program's achievement examination prior to graduation.

An overview of crime in America, various theories concerning causes of crime, and the criminal justice system. (Same as SOCI 4317)

This course focuses on issues of drug use, misuse, and abuse. Special emphasis is given to the sociological aspects of drug-taking behavior, the relationship between drugs and crime, and the criminal justice system. Descriptions, classifications, and analyses are used to explore the extent of the drug problem. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311. (Same as SOCI 4319).

Ethical issues specific to the criminal justice system are examined. Legal, professional and personal ethical issues and ethical dilemmas are discussed with implications for law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and community supervision. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

This course explores specialized issues in criminal justice relating to law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and community supervision. Issues of cultural diversity, community policing, and policy implications involving local and global criminal justice systems are examined. Prerequisite: Senior standing.