Undergraduate Course Descriptions (Criminal justice)

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (Criminal justice)

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)

  • This is an introductory course in Criminal Justice that offers an overview of the administration of police, court, and correctional agencies and the decision-making points from the initial investigation or arrest by police to the eventual release of the offender and his or her reentry into society. The roles of the police, the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, judge, probation, corrections, and parole personnel are examined individually and collectively.

CJ 112 Crime and Delinquency (3)

  • The nature and extent of crime and delinquency in the United States are examined in this course. Major emphasis is placed on the theories, types and trends of criminal and delinquent behavior. Major theories of causation, relevant current issues, societal responses and selected cross-cultural comparisons are discussed.

CJ 115 Juvenile Justice Administration (3)

  • This course provides an overview of the study of the juvenile justice system and its administration. Emphasis is placed on contemporary American juvenile justice, the processes within the system and how the system functions in the management, control, care and treatment of status offenders, juvenile offenders, dependent children and neglected children. Further emphasis is placed on the nature and extent of delinquency, theories of causation, current trends and issues.

CJ 120 Careers in Criminal Justice (3)

  • This course encompasses a wide range of topics related to locating and obtaining jobs in policing, courts, probation, corrections, parole, juvenile justice, national and industrial security. Professional concerns such as stress, promotion and civil service requirements are addressed.

CJ 130 Writing for Criminal Justice (3 Credits)

  • This course provides students with the techniques and instructions for communicating facts, information, and ideas effectively in a simple, clear, and logical manner in various types of written academic assignments and professional criminal justice reports: reaction papers, article critiques, book reports, reviews of the literature, and research papers. There will be an emphasis on criminal justice terminology, the use of English, and the organization of information.
    • Pre-Requisite(s): CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency, and ENGL 101 English Composition I

CJ 201 Law, Order, and Justice in Society (3)

  • Drawing on social science and humanities, this course offers historical and international perspectives on how philosophical problems of law, American legal culture, justice, law and the Constitution, legislative behavior, and concepts of punishment all contribute to the development and understanding of the present criminal justice system.

CJ 205 Community Corrections (3)

  • This course provides an overview of the theory and practice of probation and parole. Emphasis is placed on crime control through probation and parole including specific contemporary issues, controversies and organizational styles. The course includes a critical examination of the ability to predict probation/parole eligibility and the relationships to and consequences of both systems as these relate to the police, courts, corrections and the community. Juvenile and adult systems are examined. Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 210 Crime Prevention (3)

  • This course explores the concepts and techniques of crime prevention. The roles of the criminal justice system, public and private service agencies as well as citizen involvement are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the successes and failures of the various approaches, strategies and programs in crime prevention.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 215 Police Organization and Administration (3)

  • This course provides a survey of the fundamental principles of the function, structure and management of law enforcement agencies. Various forms of police organization are analyzed and evaluated. The basic concepts of police administration are discussed. Contrasts between traditional styles and contemporary approaches are also emphasized.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 216 Court System and Administration (3)

  • A broad analysis of the major structures and processes that underlie the American judicial system on the local, state and federal levels is the primary focus of this course. Emphasis is placed on the basic legal concepts of the judicial process, the dynamics of the criminal court process and its principal actors: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juries, victims and witnesses. Civil and juvenile court procedures are examined, as well as the appellate process and the role of the United States Supreme Court. Selected current reforms, issues and problems are discussed and cross-cultural comparisons are made.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 217 Correctional System and Administration (3)

  • This course includes an overview of the organization and administration of the correctional system as a process and as a major component of the American criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on correctional goals and objectives, current philosophies, trends and practices, special problems, issues, controversies and potential directions for the future. Both adult and juvenile corrections are examined, as are selected cross-cultural perspectives.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 250 Crisis Intervention (3)

  • This course examines how the criminal justice system deals with crises. Intervention strategies, which focus on domestic violence, child abuse, suicide, rape, hostage situations and collective violence, are reviewed. Particular attention is given to counseling, arbitration, mediation, referral and negotiation techniques.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 260 Criminal Investigation (3)

  • A comprehensive review of the investigation of criminal matters including the full range of activities from the initial notification of the commission of a crime to its final disposition in the criminal justice process is provided in this course. It encompasses the history and art of investigation, preliminary and follow-up, all evidentiary aspects, crime scene search, interviews and interrogation, identification of suspects, court preparation and presentation.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 275 Police and the Community (3)

  • The interaction between the police and the community is examined in this course. The programs instituted by police in community relations and involvement of the community in establishing police policy and relations are explored. Community policing and other dynamics involved in the police/ community relationship are examined.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime and Delinquency

CJ 300 Victimless Crimes / Organized Crimes (3)

  • This survey course reviews the sociological and philosophical aspects of victimless and organized crimes and the impact of the two on the criminal justice system. The concept of law and morality are discussed in regard to the "so-called” victimless or public order crimes. The nature and extent of organized crime as well as the determination of federal and state agencies to eradicate it are also discussed.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 301 Terrorism (3)

  • This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the conceptual and transnational aspects of terrorism. To achieve this end, the historical, psychological and political roots of terrorism are discussed, as are other aspects of terrorism, such as state terrorism and narcoterrorism. This course, which emphasizes political terrorism, is infused with examinations of domestic and international groups and events. Means of countering and controlling terrorism are also analyzed.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 302 White Collar Crime (3)

  • The illegal and unethical activities of people, businesses, and governments whose ostensible purpose is legitimate enterprise are examined in this course. Corporate activities, which seek to expand profit and government activities to obtain and maintain power, are analyzed. Political and social factors are emphasized.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 303 Women and Criminal Justice (3)

  • This course explores the relationships among women, crime and the criminal justice system in American society. Major emphasis is placed on three general areas: women as offenders, women as victims of crime and women as social control agents or criminal justice professionals. A theoretical and practical perspective is applied in areas such as the nature and extent of female criminality, various aspects of victimization including abused women and rape victims, the victimization aspects of prostitution and finally, women as employees in the system.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 305 Criminal Law (3)

  • This course provides students with an overview of criminal law with an emphasis on the major crimes under federal and state jurisdictions. Also emphasized are the concrete rules within the framework of doctrinal policies and principles, and doctrine itself within the web of jurisprudence, moral philosophy and everyday experiences. Hence, there is a detailed presentation of purposes and perspectives concerning criminal law and the principles of liability, as well as a host of concrete rules, all of which illustrate underlying themes.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 306 Crime and the Movies (3)

  • This course identifies and analyzes the images and themes of crime and the criminal justice system presented through American films. In particular, crime movies will be studied as major sources of data for uncovering how Hollywood portrays society’s struggle with the crime problem. The fundamental role played by film in defining what constitutes deviance and criminality in society will be discussed. This course will also examine how film portrays criminals, police, juvenile delinquents, courts and corrections, along with organized crime, and white collar crime in America.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 307 Contemporary Issues in Trial Processes (3 Credits)

  • This course is designed to provide students with an overview of trial advocacy skills and processes within the American Criminal Justice System. Particular attention is devoted to the various roles played by key participants including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, defendants and victims. The art of effective trial advocacy is demonstrated and practiced through numerous simulations including opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, examination of expert witnesses, and summations. Students will form a team and compete against other universities in the American Mock Trial Association competition.

CJ 308 Multicultural Law Enforcement (3)

  • This course explores the pervasive influence of culture, race and ethnicity on daily encounter and contacts among police officers and civilian employees of police organizations and community members. The focus is on the cross-cultural contact, the need for awareness and understanding of cultural differences and respect for those of different backgrounds. The nature of the police role and its responsibilities in the context of multicultural law enforcement are evaluated.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 310 Hate Crimes

  • This course explores and analyzes the phenomena of hate crimes with a focus on racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and religious strife. Tensions between freedom and equality are examined. The historical, economic, and political roots of such crimes are reviewed as well as the governmental response including federal and state laws.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 311 Violence and Criminal Justice

  • As practitioners, our students will be required to work with violent offenders and their victims. It is important to understand the dynamics of crimes in order to effectively help victims and deter offenders. Our current courses may discuss some of this violence, such as Victimless/Organized Crimes and Crime and Delinquency but we do not offer a course that focuses solely on these crimes, nor does the current focus place them into historical, social, political and legal context. This course will fill the gaps and add a critical analysis component.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 315 Seminar in Criminal Justice Problems (3)

  • This course examines selected, problematic topics in criminal justice and as such addresses some of the ways in which the evolution of crime and criminal justice is manifest. In so doing, areas that have both a domestic and global component are also discussed. Some of the more traditional areas of crime are examined, such as murder, child abuse, etc., as are relatively new issues in the field, such as euthanasia, patriarchal crime and human smuggling. Controversial issues surrounding developments in these areas are debated, as are various approaches to the problems.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 325 Criminal Procedure (3)

  • This course examines the methods by which the criminal justice system functions. For example, it examines the law surrounding the arresting of suspects, the searching of premises and persons, the interrogation of suspects and the use of police lineups. Since many aspects of criminal procedure are regulated by the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, this course emphasizes federal constitutional criminal procedure.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 340 Criminal Evidence (3)

  • The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the rules of evidence, which are most often directed to the courts and concern the admissibility of evidence at trial. Included is a discussion on burdens of proof, judicial notice, presumptions, inferences and stipulations, relevancy and materiality, witnesses, privileges, documentary and real evidence and the hearsay rule and its exceptions.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 360 Victims of Crime (3)

  • This course examines criminological theory and the practical application of theory in the criminal justice system to the study of victims of crime. The major focus of the course is on victims of crime, primarily victims of traditional crimes as outlined in the Crime Index (Part I) of the Uniform Crime Reports. The impact of these crimes and other categories of lawbreaking on victims, the victim/offender relationship and the victim/criminal justice relationship are discussed.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 370 Minorities and Criminal Justice (3)

  • The relationship between racial and ethnic minorities and the criminal justice system is studied in this course. Major emphasis is placed on African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and other minorities and how they interact with the American criminal justice system as victims, criminal offenders and practitioners. Additional emphasis is placed on minorities and how criminality and victimization have historically affected them.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 372 Criminal Justice Research (3)

  • This is an introductory course in the basic theory, principles and techniques employed in criminal justice research. The goal of the course is to provide students with an overview of the research enterprise and its major components. The broad range of research techniques, data collection strategies and analytical tools that serve the needs of the criminal justice system are discussed. An overview is provided of the types of research designs and data collection strategies such as sampling, questionnaires, interviews, observational techniques, the use of secondary sources, computers and other technology.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 420 International Criminal Justice (3)

  • This course provides an overview of major criminal justice systems in the world as well as analysis of international criminal justice issues and international criminal justice organizations. The perspective is comparative and international and designed to broaden the interests and knowledge of students. Cross-national comparisons with countries following the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition, the civil law tradition and those subscribing to Marxist legal theories form the basis for discussion. Attention is given to the impact of certain factors (historical, religious, social, political and cultural) on the formal institutions for social control - police, courts, corrections and community-based forums for dispute resolution. Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 444 Criminal Justice Ethics (3)

  • This course examines the moral issues and dilemmas facing practitioners in criminal justice. Practical problems are addressed from the philosophical viewpoints of the study of ethics. Among the topics considered are discretion, police use of deadly force, deception, police corruption and capital punishment.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 463 Management of Public Safety Agencies (3)

  • The structure, technology, and human aspects of complex organizations are examined in this course. Industrial, governmental and nonprofit organizations are considered with a special focus on unique purpose systems such as public and service security.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJ 112 Crime & Delinquency

CJ 464 Management Information Systems (3)

  • The course objective is to provide students with the capability to analyze, design, implement and evaluate management information systems in public safety organizations. Topics include theories of communication, data acquisition, storage and retrieval, and interface problems. Current trends in information technology are emphasized.
    • Prerequisites: CJ 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJS 112 Crime & Delinquency