Criminal Justice
CRJ 101 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
An introductory course designed to provide a foundation of information on characteristics of crime and criminal justice procedure. An interdisciplinary approach is used, drawing on perspectives from legal studies, psychology, sociology, political science, history, and other disciplines.
Three credit hours. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 160 CRIME AND SOCIETY
This course is designed to heighten the student’s aware-ness of the theoretical explanations for criminal behavior and resulting ideas for prevention, treatment, and punishment which may be implemented by the government. The perspectives of the originators of criminological thought will be discussed as well as contemporary approaches to understanding the nature, causes, and prevention of crime.
Three credit hours. Offered Spring semester (d).
CRJ 170 LAW ENFORCEMENT ETHICS
This course is designed to provide the student with ethical awareness. The need for ethical standards throughout the criminal justice system has long been advocated. Discussion of ethical issues in particular situations will be included as well as high standards of behavior generally. Written codes and canons of ethics will be analyzed and evaluated.
Three credit hours. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 180 INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS AND THEIR OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR COMPUTER CRIME INVESTIGATIONS
An introduction to the IBM-based personal computer and its DOS and Windows-based operating system designed for the Criminal Justice major who may eventually specialize in computer-related investigations. The course will provide an intermediate working knowledge of computer hard-ware and the basic operating systems of DOS and Windows. The course will focus on the creation, maintenance and destruction of data stored in electronic form, and provides an understanding of the significance of this data as possible evidence to criminal investigations. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CIS 115; restricted to CRJ majors. Offered as needed.
CRJ 201 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW
A comprehensive introduction to the substantive law of crimes. Topics include: constitutional limits on behavior control; elements of crimes; offenses against people, property, public morality; criminal responsibility and defenses.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 101. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 225 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
An examination of delinquent behavior and its effect on society. Topics will include analyzing and describing the nature and extent of juvenile delinquency, causes of delinquent behavior, juvenile gangs, and other issues directly related to the study of delinquency.
Three credit hours. Offered as needed.
CRJ 240 CRIMINAL COURTS AND PROCEDURES
The study of the U.S. criminal justice system, which includes a study of the criminal justice process, law enforcement, adjudication, post-conviction strategies, and the juvenile justice system.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 101. Offered Spring semester (d).
CRJ 250 SOCIAL ISSUES IN POLICING A MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY
This course is designed to prepare students for careers of service to the public and in the criminal justice system by demonstrating an understanding of a variety of populations. The course will supply the student with an opportunity to experience multicultural populations through in-depth study and role-play simulations.
Three credit hours. Offered Spring semester (d).
CRJ 280 COMPUTER FORENSICS: ELECTRONIC MEDIA AS EVIDENCE
An introduction to evidence collection, preservation, examination and presentation in an investigation involving electronic media for the Criminal Justice major who may eventually specialize in computer-related investigations. The course will provide a working knowledge of the seizure of computers and other evidence in electronic form. The course will focus on the preservation and examination of data stored in electronic form, and provide an understanding of the significance of this data as possible evidence to criminal investigations.
Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CRJ 180; restricted to CRJ majors. Offered as needed.
CRJ 298 SPECIAL TOPIC IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)
CRJ 301 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION I
An introduction to the criminal justice system with a special focus on basic criminal investigations. The significance and application of investigative techniques and procedures for criminal and non-criminal investigators will be examined.
Three credit hours. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 303 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION I LAB
A criminal investigation laboratory which will introduce the student to the newest advances in crime fighting including basic fingerprinting, firearms identification, evidence control and examination, bloodstain evidence, and DNA. This lab is a required component and graduation requirement for CRJ majors.
One credit hour. Prerequisite: CRJ 301 or concurrent registration in CRJ 301.Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 310 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION II
This is a continuation of the criminal investigation expo-sure completed in Criminal Investigation I (CRJ 301). The performance level of the study is expected to be more detailed and highly refined. Techniques and procedures for criminal and non-criminal investigators will be examined. Topics, which will be beneficial for the student to have greater detailed and in-depth study in, will be emphasized including searches and seizures, physical evidence, obtaining information, surveillance, homicide, and courtroom preparation.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 301. Offered as needed.
CRJ 320 PAROLE, PROBATION, AND COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS
Using the federal system as a model, this course adopts a practical approach to the study of the personnel, practices, and procedures that comprise parole, probation, and community-based corrections. Reference to relevant state models also will be made.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 240. Offered as needed.
CRJ 340 CORRECTIONS
A study of the field of corrections and correctional systems. As a result of perceived increases in violent crime and a sense of the randomness of victimization, citizens have demanded immediate and final resolutions to the problem of crime. Consequently, populations of prisoners have increased, previous programs such as chain-gangs have been renewed, and new ones, boot camps for example, have been implemented. Additionally, the age and gender gaps appear to be closing when it comes to committing crime as more females and older citizens are incarcerated. These trends require thoughtful consideration and leader-ship by those who work in the criminal justice system.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 240. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 350 COMMUNITY POLICING
This course is designed to convey a philosophy of policing which includes the beliefs that the police and the community work cooperatively to resolve problems. This will be distinguished from previous efforts such as neighborhood watches, team policing, and other cooperative policing programs. An emphasis will be placed on a service orientation toward those the police have sworn to protect with additional emphasis placed on interpersonal skill development.
Three credit hours. Offered Spring semester (d).
CRJ 360 ADVANCED CRIMINAL LAW
This is a continuation of the study of the criminal law completed in CRJ 201. An in-depth, highly detailed study of the pervasive problems which must be resolved by the criminal justice system. Discussion of the means of the criminal law, imposing ruthless force upon individual lives and its ends, serving the highest order of social and human values will be considered.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: CRJ 201. Offered as needed.
CRJ 377 FIELD EXPERIENCE I
This course provides the student with both observational and “hands-on” learning experience through participation in an internship, ideally in the field in which the student will be seeking employment. Students who are already on an established career path may enhance their visibility in the organization by completion of a special project related to their careers, subject to prior instructor approval.
Three credit hours. Prerequisites: A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, Junior standing, and 24 credits in core courses. Offered every semester.
CRJ 380 COMPUTER CRIME INVESTIGATION: EVIDENCE, LAW, AND INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES
This course will focus on the actual investigation of computer crime. The course covers the application of previously acquired skills of collecting and examining electronic evidence to the use of this evidence in a criminal investigation. Investigative techniques such as interviewing, surveillance and warrant execution also will be applied to investigations involving electronic evidence. Students will become thoroughly familiar with the current issues of computer crime investigation. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CRJ 280; restricted to CRJ majors. Offered as needed.
CRJ 398 SPECIAL TOPIC IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)
CRJ 401 CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Constitution and its interpretation from the post-Civil War period to the present. Emphasis will be placed on Supreme Court decisions, how they affected civil rights, civil liberties, and reform movements.
Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CRJ 240 or HIS 150; and POL 101.Offered as needed.
CRJ 410 POLICE ADMINISTRATION
The thematic study of the capacity for change and dynamic qualities of police administration in the United States. A variety of perspectives are analyzed including behavioral, structural, and procedural approaches to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered as needed.
CRJ 415 RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
This course is designed to develop student’s confidence and appreciation of the various research tools used in the field of criminal justice. Additionally, the student will develop an enhanced appreciation for the approaches to scientific inquiry and an ability to evaluate the efficacy of research tools used in each and become good consumers of research.
Three credit hours. Offered as needed.
CRJ 420 SENIOR SEMINAR/TOPICS
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)
This course provides the opportunity to offer specialty courses not included in the regular course offerings. Included may be various contemporary topics and issues such as domestic violence; stress and police personnel; death penalty; history of law enforcement; juvenile justice system; the nature of leadership, authority, and power; and organizational communication. A student may take this course more than once for credit under different topics.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered Fall semester (d).
CRJ 477 FIELD EXPERIENCE II
This is a continuation of the criminal justice system expo-sure completed in Field Experience I. The performance level of the assignment is expected to be higher than the Level I assignment. Students may elect to complete a project related to their careers, but it must be demonstrative of a high level of competence and difficulty, and approved by the department chairperson.
Three credit hours. Prerequisites: A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, Senior standing, and CRJ 377. Offered every semester.
CRJ 480 COMPUTER CRIME INVESTIGATION: COMPUTER NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET
This course will focus on the relationship of networks (and by extension, the Internet) to computer crime. The student will learn how to apply the previously acquired skills of collecting and examining electronic evidence to the use of this evidence in a criminal investigation which involves a computer network and/or the Internet. The course will also examine issues related to the detection, investigation and prevention of network intrusions. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CRJ 380; restricted to CRJ majors. Offered as needed.
CRJ 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
