Criminal Justice (CRJS)

CRJS 181. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Comprehensive overview of criminal justice; assesses the extent of crime; reviews law enforcement, judicial and correctional processes at all levels of government; discusses history and philosophy of public safety; evaluates career opportunities.

CRJS 253. Introduction to Corrections. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. A survey of societal responses to the offender; traces the evolution of practices based on philosophies of retribution, punishment and rehabilitation; reviews contemporary correctional activities and their relationships to other aspects of the criminal justice system; introduces the emerging area of correctional programming within the community.

CRJS 254. Introduction to Policing. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. A survey of different facets of law enforcement including the activities of public police agencies and private security organizations. Assesses changes in law enforcement philosophy and practices, police relationships with the public and the political arena and anticipated future trends in policing.

CRJS 300. Forensic Criminology. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The intersection of law, predictions of dangerousness, mental disorder and crime. Behavioral prediction, classification and the development of typologies of offenses and offending will be considered. Issues in the use of clinical and statistical prediction methods in criminal justice will be presented.

CRJS 305. Policing Theories and Practice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181 and 254. An overview of the nature and application of law enforcement theory. Examines the theoretical underpinnings of a variety of law enforcement practices, with emphasis on evolving trends.

CRJS 316. Victimology and Victimization. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Enrollment is restricted to criminal justice majors and minors. Introduces the concepts of victimology and various forms of criminal victimization. Evaluates historical and contemporary policy responses to addressing victimization in the United States. Particular attention is given to measuring the nature and extent of victimization, victims’ roles in the criminal justice system, the impact of victimization on individuals, and laws and policies designed to prevent victimization.

CRJS 320. Principles of Criminal Investigation. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Surveys the fundamentals of criminal investigation procedures and techniques. Examines crime scene management, distinguishes between types of criminal offenses, analyzes sources of information and covers trial preparation.

CRJS 324. Courts and Sentencing. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181, CRJS 253 and CRJS 254. An overview of the U.S. criminal courts. Examines sources of law, court structure and jurisdiction, the role of courtroom actors and juries, and stages in the criminal process, including pretrial procedures, trials and sentencing. Disparities based on race, gender and class will be included.

CRJS 335. Ethics and Decision-making in Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181, CRJS 253 and CRJS 254. Enrollment is restricted to criminal justice majors and minors. Understanding the ethical basis for decision-making in criminal justice, which involves the liberty interests of others. Important decision points are examined to apply ethical perspectives to decisions for criminalizing behaviors, methods of enforcing the law, charging suspects, convicting and sentencing offenders. These decisions include those made by citizens, legislators, police, prosecutors, defense counsel, judges and corrections officials.

CRJS 350. Evaluation and Treatment of the Offender. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181 and 253. An analysis of the issues and procedures involved in evaluating individual differences in offenders and among classes of offenders; current diagnostic and treatment methods are discussed; introduces the student to case analysis and correctional counseling techniques. Includes analysis of evaluation and treatment resources external to corrections.

CRJS 351. Community Corrections. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181 and 253. A comprehensive review of various community-based rehabilitation and treatment efforts; includes analysis of probation, parole, work release, halfway houses and other methods of re-integrating the offender into society.

CRJS 352. Crime and Delinquency Prevention. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Examines the purpose, empirical evidence and effectiveness of major crime and delinquency prevention programs, policies and practices. Focuses on introducing students to primary, secondary and tertiary crime and delinquency prevention programs and uses evidence-based research to assess the effectiveness of crime and delinquency prevention programs implemented in various domains, including families, schools, peers, communities and the criminal justice system.

CRJS 355. Criminological Theory. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181, CRJS 253 and CRJS 254. Examines the intellectual underpinnings of the criminal justice system. Includes analysis of evolving values and ideas regarding social control, individual and collective responsibilities and rights, the role of punishment, politics and the law, practitioners as public servants, and criminological and other foundations of the criminal justice system.

CRJS 358. Lawyer's Role in the Justice System. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Examines the multiple responsibilities of lawyers from an historical and contemporary perspective. The basic techniques of the lawyer's craft will be studied with emphasis placed on case advocacy, negotiation skills and legal reasoning, and problem-solving.

CRJS 360. Foundations of Criminal Law. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Clarifies both the content and role of criminal law within criminal justice and its administration in America. Explores the moral, theoretical and historical foundations of American criminal law and jurisprudence; elements and classification of criminal conduct; burdens of proof; defenses to criminal culpability; and a variety of crime types focusing in particular on crimes against person and property.

CRJS 370. Criminalistics and Crime Analysis. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. A comprehensive evaluation of current developments in research, instrumentation and laboratory technology utilized to detect, identify, analyze and compare evidence.

CRJS 373. Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Provides a fundamental understanding of evidence law. Examines the nature and admissibility of various forms of evidence. Provides an understanding of the investigator's role in the judicial process including the presentation of testimony and adversarial proceedings.

CRJS 380. Research Methods in Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181, CRJS 253 and CRJS 254; and STAT 208 or STAT 210. Designed to familiarize the student with current and applied research methods in criminal justice, including the application of data and information processing techniques and procedures; analyzes research in criminal justice journals and government reports; and enhances the capability to evaluate contemporary research.

CRJS 382. Gender, Crime and Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the role of gender as it relates to crime and justice. Special attention will focus on the gendered experiences of practitioners, offenders and victims within the criminal justice system in terms of processing, adjudication and institutional responses. Crosslisted as: GSWS 382.

CRJS 400. Current Issues in Juvenile Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Restricted to criminal justice majors. Examines key issues facing the modern American juvenile justice system. Integrates social science research, juvenile justice policy and legal scholarship pertaining to current law and policy controversies in juvenile justice.

CRJS 401. Sex Crime and Society. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Restricted to criminal justice majors. Examines the nature and extent of sex offending, societal responses to sex crime, and the laws and policies enacted to reduce sexual offending. Explores the etiology of sex offending as well as methods to evaluate the efficacy of sex crime laws.

CRJS 407. Jails and Reentry. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181 and CRJS 253. Enrollment is restricted to criminal justice majors. Examines issues specific to jails and short-term detention. Considers historical and contemporary aspects of the American jail, while exploring the complexities of jail management and dynamic offender populations. The challenges of providing health care, mental health and substance-abuse programming, legal resources, educational training, and reentry support are examined, as well as the broader collateral consequences of short-term detention.

CRJS 417. Drug Use, Drug Policy and Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Enrollment is restricted to criminal justice majors and minors. A course designed to examine drug use and its important consequences for individuals, health and communities. Traditional criminal justice prohibition-based policies, such as the "war on drugs," are examined and compared and contrasted with the principles of harm reduction. A review of harm-reduction partnerships with law enforcement, courts and correctional agencies will be discussed.

CRJS 421. Race, Crime and Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course is an examination of race in the context of the criminal justice system. Emphasis on the various observations of racial minorities as victims and offenders by law enforcement, courts and corrections. In addition, the course will explore the theoretical approaches on how race and ethnicity are connected to the criminal justice system and its myriad processes. In addressing these connections, emphasis is placed on social forces and other related factors as applicable to the criminal justice system.

CRJS 425. Violent Crime Scene Investigation. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Introduces students to specialized tools and scientific aids used in the criminal investigation of violent crime cases. Applies investigative techniques and preparation of trial evidence used in violent crimes.

CRJS 432. Leadership in Criminal Justice Organizations. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Considers the behavioral dimensions of administrations in criminal justice and public safety agencies. Examines the concepts of leadership and decision-making and the effect of environmental dynamics in the management of the criminal justice system.

CRJS 434. Principles of Police Administration. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181 and CRJS 254. Examines major management concepts and principles with special emphasis on consideration of law enforcement. Policies and procedures formulated and followed by managers in law enforcement settings will be evaluated from a structural as well as a functional perspective. Contemporary and anticipated future problems, challenges and trends facing police managers will be addressed.

CRJS 450. Cyber Crime and Computer Forensics. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Study of computer-related crime and related laws and policies. Focus on the investigation and processes of securing evidence for computer-related crimes.

CRJS 463. Crime and Justice in Global Perspective. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. This course is designed to move students beyond an “American-centric” view of criminal justice in an introduction to crime, law, criminal justice systems and crime control in cross-national perspective. Crime is a global problem that has been part of the human experience through both time and space; as such we will discuss crime trends around the world, the statistics that tell us what we think we know about crime around the world, and the different systems of law, policing, courts and corrections around the world in place to combat it. Problems of cultural relativity, international crime, transnational organized crime and policy transfer will also be discussed.

CRJS 468. Organized Crime. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. The nature and extent of organized crime will be examined. The distinctions from street crimes will be reviewed, as will an assessment of organized crime history, causation, investigation tools, prosecution, defense and sentencing alternatives. The changing nature of organized crime, its transnational manifestations and the outlook for its future will be explored.

CRJS 475. Criminal Procedure. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Analyzes criminal procedure regarding the courts and their supervisory role over prosecutions and the use of testimonial and non-testimonial evidence. Examines the judicial interpretive processes by which the public safety is balanced with individual rights.

CRJS 480. Senior Seminar. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 181, CRJS 253, CRJS 254, CRJS 355 and CRJS 380. Enrollment is restricted to seniors in criminal justice with at least 85 credit hours taken toward the degree. A capstone course designed to assist students to apply and to think critically about current knowledge regarding crime, crime trends, law, law enforcement, the adjudication process, corrections and crime prevention. Scenarios, research, projections and evaluation of different viewpoints will be employed to develop the student's ability to assess methods of argumentation, use information and apply existing knowledge to new fact situations.

CRJS 491. Topics in Criminal Justice. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. In-depth examination of selected administration of justice topics. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester and prerequisites.

CRJS 492. Directed Individual Study. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; variable hours. 1, 2 or 3 credits. Maximum total of 6 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 181. Available to all other criminal justice students who are seniors and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (with permission of department chair) as a substitute for a major elective course. Provides an independent study opportunity for the adult student who is (or was) employed in a criminal justice, safety or risk administration position and who does not require internship or volunteer experience.

CRJS 501. Principles of Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Survey of the American criminal justice system, and the relationships among crime, law, police, courts and corrections. Review of contemporary criminal justice literature.

CRJS 550. Professional Ethics and Liability. 3 Hours.

3 credits. The ethical basis for decision-making in criminal justice. How ethical considerations affect every important decision in criminal justice, especially as they involve the liberty interests of others. These decisions include: police stop and arrest decisions, prosecutor charging decision, defendant plea decisions, defense strategy decisions, judicial evidentiary rulings, sentencing decisions, among others. The consequences of unethical decisions on management ability, civil and criminal liability faced by criminal justice professionals.

CRJS 591. Topic Seminar. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Periodic seminar in contemporary criminal justice topics. Topics to be determined.

CRJS 612. Criminal Justice Politics and Planning. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Assesses political and public policy issues as they relate to the administration of justice planning and policy strategies. Emphasizes planning implications of interagency relationships, the impact of social change in the criminal justice process, and community involvement in the control and prevention of crime.

CRJS 616. Justice Policy and Administration. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Analyzes the legal, philosophical, political and management influences that shape the criminal justice policy and its administration. Organization and management principles as they apply to the justice system with emphasis on leadership and human resource development.

CRJS 617. Law and Criminal Justice Policy. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Analysis of intergovernmental relations and civil society in the forming and implementing of criminal justice policies, laws and procedures. The bases for the creation of laws, how they are enforced, applied by the courts and sanctioned will each be examined to evaluate the proficiency of law and the justice process as instruments of social control. The issues of race, class, gender and power will be explored in the passage and implementation of laws with a view toward developing more effective strategies in the planning and development of law and crime policy.

CRJS 620. Seminar in Criminology. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examination and analysis of social, psychological, and economic theories and correlates of criminal behavior. Typologies of offenders. Crosslisted as: SOCY 620.

CRJS 622. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Study of crime, law and criminal justice from an international perspective, emphasizing their comparative aspects.

CRJS 623. Research Methods for Government and Public Affairs. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Introduction to the scope and methods of applied research for the public sector. Focuses on problem structuring through logical methods, exploring problems through observation and other methods of data collection, analyzing and summarizing findings using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Crosslisted as: GVPA 623/PADM 623/URSP 623.

CRJS 624. Problems in Policing. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment requires graduate status. Intended to provide an overview of the causes, nature and potential solutions to many of the most significant problems in modern American law enforcement. Problems include issues related to excessive force, corruption, police pursuit and other areas of police discretion.

CRJS 631. Criminal Justice Management and Leadership. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Application of organizational theory and administrative behavior to criminal justice policy, management and operation. Administrative concepts, program planning and development, and innovative management practices.

CRJS 641. Jurisprudence. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the theoretical underpinnings of law and justice. Studies the evolution of theories of jurisprudence within the context of evolving concepts of responsibility and law. Systems of law will be contrasted and emphasis will be placed on contemporary developments in substantive laws.

CRJS 650. Race, Public Policy and Social Stratification. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students in programs in the Wilder School. Students will develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations of social stratification, inequality, and theory and substantive empirical research on the subject, especially as it relates to race. Students will also develop the ability to critically analyze work in the field, media and rhetoric surrounding the concepts of social stratification, inequality, and their connections to race. The course will also be used to advance knowledge, research and practitioner work within the realm of public policy.

CRJS 660. Seminar in Legal Process. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Studies the formal and informal procedures of various criminal justice systems. Advanced study of criminal procedure and the major legal constraints and authorizations placed upon arrest, prosecution, trial, sentencing and appeal.

CRJS 680. Forensic Psychology. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Guilty mind requirements in criminal law. Competency to stand trial, insanity defense, mental disorder and crime. Behavioral profiling of serial murders and sex offenders. Issues in the use of clinical and statistical prediction methods in criminal justice. Crosslisted as: FRSC 680.

CRJS 690. Criminal Justice Policy Analysis. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CRJS 501, CRJS 617, CRJS/SOCY 620 and CRJS/GVPA/PADM/URSP 623, each with a minimum grade of B. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students. Integration of knowledge of criminological theory and justice policy with the research skills acquired while working toward completion of the graduate degree. Successful completion of this course requires the formulation of a research question that addresses a problem of criminal justice policy, the conceptualization of the scope of the answer to the research question and the submission of an in-depth analysis of the question with reference to theory, methodology and policy.

CRJS 691. Special Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated with different topics. Enrollment requires graduate status. Periodic seminar in contemporary criminal justice or policy topics. Topics to be determined.

CRJS 692. Directed Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. The instructor's review and approval of the study proposal must precede independent work by student. Provides an opportunity for an advanced student to pursue an independent research project or extensive literature review under the supervision of an instructor.

CRJS 693. Internship. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 credits. Students must apply for this internship a semester in advance. Provides student an opportunity to relate theory to practice through observation and experience in an approved agency. The internship should be taken near the end of the degree program. Graded as pass/fail.

CRJS 763. Seminar in Social Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the philosophical and historical underpinnings of the principles of justice and their relationship to equality, liberty, government and law.

CRJS 798. Thesis Research. 1,3 Hour.

Semester course; 3 thesis hours. 3 credits (with possible 1-credit extension). Prerequisite: CRJS 623 with a minimum grade of B; a graduate statistics course is strongly recommended. Enrollment is restricted to students with permission of the graduate instructor. Registration for this course is permitted only upon approval of the candidate's detailed research proposal and statement of qualifications reviewed a semester in advance by a faculty committee. A two-semester project resulting in an advanced research paper that involves a comprehensive literature review, approved research design, and an original analysis or replication study. This course involves preparation and oral defense of the thesis prospectus. Graded as S/U/F.

CRJS 799. Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 thesis hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of three credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 798 with a minimum grade of B. Execution of the research prospectus approved in the prerequisite course. The master's thesis will be written according to university guidelines, approved by the student's faculty committee and defended orally before the faculty committee. Graded as S/U/F.