CRJ - Criminal Justice

Introduces students to the basic components of the criminal justice system in the United States. Concepts of crime, crime data, victimization, perspectives and views of crime, theory, and law are discussed. Particular attention to the criminal justice process, interaction and conflict between criminal justice agencies, and current criminal justice issues are examined.

Covers Constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure, post-conviction treatment, origin, development, philosophy, and constitutional basis of evidence. Focuses on degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility, judicial decisions interpreting individual rights, and an analysis of case studies from arrest through final appeal.

Examines policing in the United States, including historical foundations, emerging issues, and the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The various types of law enforcement agencies, their administrative practices, and the behavior of those involved in the delivery of police services are examined from the perspective of democratic values, racial and ethnic diversity, and societal perceptions of police effectiveness. Career requirements, including current and future trends, are also presented.

Focuses on basic procedures in crime scene management to include photography and preparing initial reports and sketches. Includes processing evidence and related criminalistic procedures. Covers interviewing suspects, witnesses, and victims to include the recording of identifications and descriptions. Incorporates lab and lecture.

Provides an overview of the structure and function of the dual American judicial system and the behavior of actors (judges/justices, lawyers, law clerks, interest groups, etc.) within the system. Emphasis is placed on the organization and administration of state and federal courts, criminal court procedures, juries, selection of judges, decision-making behavior of juries, judges and justices, and the implementation and impact of judicial policies.

Examines the history and total correctional process from law enforcement through the administration of justice, probation, prisons, correctional institutions, and parole. Also examines the principles, theories, phenomena and problems of the crime, society, and the criminal justice system from the perspective of criminology and the criminal justice system in general. Emphasizes the role of sociology and other interdisciplinary approaches to the field of corrections and society’s response.

Focuses on common law and statutory law crimes, the Model Penal Code, elements defining crimes and penalties, defenses to criminal accusations, and definitions and distinctions between criminal and civil law.

Focuses on the powers of government as they are allocated and defined by the United States Constitution. Includes intensive analysis of United States Supreme Court decisions.

Exploration of the environmental, organizational and socio-psychological dimensions of social control. Includes the study of individual attitudes, beliefs and behavior involved in role conflicts, community relations and conflict management in the social structure.

Provides an introduction to the study of crime, understanding the causes of crime, and examines, theoretical frameworks and theories to explain criminal behavior. Within a social context, consideration is given to how theories have emerged and understand how social context contributes to explanations of crime. Examination of the nature of crime, crime victimization, crime patterns, types of crime, crime statistics, and criminal behavior is also included.

Provides an introduction to research methods in criminal justice. Addresses foundations of research, analysis of findings, and ethical issues in researching criminal justice issues. This course will use an interactive approach in basic research concepts and practices. Students will obtain a thorough understanding of how research is conducted and how practitioners can benefit from this knowledge. Additionally, students will develop research proposals, conduct appropriate reviews of previously published research, and write a final research study.

Demonstrates to the student the role the crime victim plays in the criminal justice system. The traditional response that a crime victim receives from the system will be studied and the psychological, emotional, and financial impact these responses have on victimization will be analyzed.